Back to Belly Barrel Roll
Overview
The second half to the belly to back barrel roll transition, which will ultimately place you on to your belly so that the barrel roll cycle will start again. These transitions are somewhat simple maneuvers that in order to master perfectly require a specific set of inputs at the right time to execute correctly.
Pre-requisites
In conjunction with learning the belly-to-back barrel roll, it is likely that you will also learn the back-to-belly barrel roll at the same time. This is because the completion of one transition will set you up for the other, and vice versa. These transitions are the first of many transitions that you will learn in your flight progression and are your first look at going from one orientation to another seamlessly.
In order to learn this transition, you will need to be very comfortable with both belly-flying and back-flying for all of the eight points of motion, so that once you arrive in to your new orientation, you are comfortable right away.
Objectives
The primary objective is to be able to safely and successfully start in a neutral back-flying body position in the center of the tunnel and perform a half-barrel roll transition from your back to your belly, ending in a neutral belly flying position, still in the center of the tunnel, and at the same altitude that you started at.
Preparation
Whether you enter the wind tunnel on your back to begin this transition, or you start this maneuver after finishing a belly-to-back barrel roll, you will need to set yourself up in the center of the tunnel approximately 1-2 feet above the net. As with all other transitions, ensure that a doorway is not in front of or behind you.
Post-flight questions / suggestions
- How did your performance match the initial objectives?
- Were you able to transition smoothly, staying on the initial heading and altitude?
- What techniques did you feel comfortable with and what can you improve on during the next session?
- Do you feel more comfortable going one direction? What can you do differently to improve your weaker direction?
As you learn this skill, you will likely learn the belly to back barrel roll transition simultaneously. Seeing as one naturally sets up for the other, it is a good opportunity to hone in on each of the transition skills along with controlling you belly and back flight to be able to demonstrate full control throughout.