— Dan R.
01 / The Problem
Most people learn positions. Few learn the wind.
Positions are only the visible part of flight. Beneath every movement are pressure, presentation, balanced surface area, lift, participation, counter pressure, intention and timing. Understanding those relationships helps flyers stop fighting the air and begin working with it.
pressure / presentation / timing
02 / WHO THIS FIELD GUIDE IS FOR
Learn the Wind. Not Just the Positions.
Most flyers are taught where to put their body. This field guide teaches why the body flies. Whether you're entering the tunnel for the first time, preparing for your next skydive, or building confident freeflying, you'll learn the principles that transfer to every orientation—not isolated techniques.
New to Skydiving or the Wind Tunnel
Learn principles that make every minute of training more valuable.
Skydivers Building Confident Freeflying
Develop balanced control through the complete recreational 0–100 progression.
Tunnel Flyers Who Want to Fly With Freedom
Move beyond memorizing positions and begin understanding pressure, balance, and flow.
Coaches Who Want Better Explanations
Add practical teaching concepts that students immediately recognize and remember.
This guide is designed for the recreational progression from first flight through confident freeflying. Competitive techniques beyond that range are intentionally outside the scope of this volume.
03 / Freedom Scale
0–100 is the expedition.
You do not need to become a world champion to become an exceptional flyer. Learn to move confidently, understand the air, and enjoy greater freedom in every orientation.
0 — First Flight
100 — Freeflying Freedom
120 — Competitive Specialization
04 / Inside the Field Guide
Field Guide No. 1 — Understanding the Wind
A premium digital field guide for skydiving and wind tunnel students who want to understand pressure, presentation, balanced lift, participation, and control.
A Lifelong Study of Movement
My understanding of bodyflight began with a connection I already knew from the water.
As a former Navy Diver, I recognized that moving through the wind could feel remarkably similar to swimming through water. Both environments surround the body. Both create pressure. Both respond to every surface you present.
I believed the best flyers could eventually fly every square inch of their bodies. I began learning to fly through my slip-ups instead of stopping after each one—bridging the gaps until I could remain present through every orientation and look where I wanted to go.
Early in that journey, people called me “the drunken master.” My body did not always look the way people expected it to look, yet I kept finding ways to fly through the movement.
That process shaped Field Guide No. 1:
Lay on the wind.
Participate with it.
Explore the pressure.
Use the whole body.
Let the wind do the work.
Navy Diver • Master Training Specialist • Wind Tunnel Instructor • Bodyflight and Skydiving Coach
Students don’t just improve—they understand why.
“Every debrief was detailed and actionable. I always walked away knowing what I did well, what needed improvement, and exactly how to apply it on my next skydive.”
— Mike M.
06 / Core Philosophy
Understanding Creates Freedom
Short principles for changing how you listen to the air.
07 / How I Coach
How I Coach
Practical coaching is simple, specific, and built around what you can apply on your very next flight.
Observe
I identify what’s limiting your flight—not just what went wrong.
Explain
I simplify complex flying concepts into practical steps you can immediately apply.
Progress
Every session ends with a clear plan so you leave knowing exactly what to practice next.
★★★★★
“He communicates clearly, breaks techniques down into simple, easy-to-understand steps, and provides feedback that helps you improve with every flight.”
— Ryan L.
08 / Product Offer
Begin With Field Guide No. 1
Start with the foundational language for pressure, presentation, balanced lift, participation, and control.
Field Guide No. 1
The LaFrance Paradigm — Field Guide No. 1
Digital Field Guide • Instant Access
$29
Digital Field Guide • Instant Access • Founder’s Edition — Version 1.0
09 / Coaching
Take the Ideas Into the Wind
The guide introduces the philosophy. Personalized coaching helps apply it to your body, goals, and current range of motion.
✓ Personalized Progression
Every session is adapted to your current skill level and goals.
✓ Detailed Debriefs
Understand what happened, why it happened, and how to improve.
✓ Confidence Under Pressure
Learn to stay relaxed and make better decisions in the air.
✓ Long-Term Development
Build strong habits that transfer to real skydives.
★★★★★
“Robert’s technical expertise and relaxed teaching style have made me a significantly better flyer. His coaching and recommendations have undoubtedly saved my life on multiple occasions.
He has an unmatched ability to simplify complex concepts into practical instruction. Every session leaves me with a clear understanding of how to improve.
If you’re serious about becoming a safer, more confident flyer, Robert is the coach you want.”
— Dan R.
★★★★★
“I’m grateful to have trained with Robert throughout my skydiving journey. Every debrief was detailed, practical, and immediately useful.
His calm, patient coaching style gave me confidence while helping me build strong fundamentals that will stay with me throughout my skydiving career.
I would confidently recommend Robert to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, professional coach who genuinely cares about student success.”
— Mike M.
★★★★★
“Rob LaFrance is an outstanding indoor wind tunnel coach. He communicates clearly, simplifies techniques, and provides feedback that helps you improve every flight.
His coaching gave me the confidence to progress quickly while always feeling safe.
I even purchased tunnel time for my child because I completely trust the quality of instruction they’ll receive.”
— Ryan L.