RV - Rendezvous.
Skygod - Skydiver whose ego has grown faster than his ability.
Stall - When the angle of attack becomes too high to sustain lift.
Steering lines - The lines that run from the steering toggles to the trailing edge of the canopy.
Stering toggles - Handles attached to the ends of the steering lines.
Swoop -1) To dive down to a formation or individual in freefall.
-2) To aggressively approach the landing area in order to produce a long, flat flare and exciting landing.
Tandem - Two skydivers share a rig, one of whom is in a separate harness that attaches to the front of the other harness.
Terminal velocity - The speed at which drag matches gravity, resulting in a constant fall rate. Generally terminal velocity for formation skydiving is 120-135 mph.
Track - Body position that creates a high forward speed. Used to approach or veer away from other skydivers in freefall.
Wave off - Before deployment a skydiver makes a clearly defined arm motion to indicate to others nearby that he is about to open his canopy.
Wing loading - The weight a canopy can carry in relation to its surface area.
Wuffo - Slang for a person who doesn’t jump.
Andy McNab
