USPA Skydiving B License Practice test

What is the recommended method for changing heading immediately after opening your parachute?

1. Make a front riser turn

2. Make a rear riser turn with toggles stowed

3. Make a rear riser turn with the brakes stowed

4. Make a toggle turn

The correct answer is: Make a rear riser turn with the brakes stowed

Making a rear riser turn with the brakes stowed is the recommended method for changing heading immediately after opening your parachute. This technique allows for a smoother and more effective turn while maintaining a safer wing shape. When the brakes are stowed, the canopy can maintain its optimal performance, allowing for a quicker response to steering inputs. Using rear risers adjusts the angle of attack effectively, enabling the parachutist to change direction without significantly altering the canopy's overall performance or risking a stall. This method is particularly useful right after deployment, as the parachutist may be dealing with increased airspeed and any potential instability associated with opening. In contrast, other methods, such as making a toggle turn, can introduce additional risks immediately after deployment, as they could cause a more drastic change in the pitch of the canopy, potentially leading to instability. Similarly, making front riser turns right after opening can be too aggressive in this phase, compromising control. Therefore, the technique of making a rear riser turn with the brakes stowed is established as the safest and most effective choice for initiating a change of heading post-opening.