SkydivingNurse 0 #1 January 20, 2004 I searched the forums and didn't find anything on this subject, so here goes: Does anyone have any idea what color shows up best against the sky? What I mean is, for someone standing on the ground, looking up at the divers, what color canopy would show up best against a blue sky? I'm a long way away from buying my first canopy, but when I eventually do, this is going to be one of the things I think about. Thanks in advance for any help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 January 20, 2004 Shows up as in what? Does it let color glow through the fabric, does it let light go through so to light up the ribs (if a different color), is it easiest to spot from the ground? What do you mean? If you want something that really is visible from the ground, you can get Orange or a color close to orange. People usually notice that (Just ask NacMacFeegle).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinMcGuire 0 #3 January 20, 2004 Neon orange is the color that comes to mind Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #4 January 20, 2004 I am not sure which color shows up best against a blue sky...but I would ask yourself what color shows up best from above or what color shows up best on the terrain that you are jumping over. Its a safety issue for me. I would rather have something that shows up over green trees from above so the pilots above you know where you are at. Plus, a bright color canopy can be easier to find in the woods if you cut it away. I try to refrain from any dark colors for those reasons alone. I didnt answer your question, but I thought that I would give you something else to think about from a safety aspect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnRich 4 #5 January 20, 2004 QuoteDoes anyone have any idea what color shows up best against the sky? A color that shows up well on the ground is also good, so that when you have to do a cutaway, you can find it again out in the boonies. The military has put a lot of thought into this subject. Their pilot emergency chutes have three segments of color: orange, olive drab, and white. The idea is that the pilot can use those colors either for camoflauge, or for signalling help, in any kind of terrain. In the woods he uses olive to hide. In the snow, he uses the white. But to be seen and rescued, he uses: orange! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivingNurse 0 #6 January 20, 2004 Wow, I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it. Makes the seeing it from below thing look silly and trivial. That seems a more worthy question, the last thing I'd want to do is be invisible from above and cause an incident. I'm thinking bright flourescent orange now, top AND bottom. Is orange ok, though? I mean, it's not reserved for reserve canopies only, is it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #7 January 20, 2004 Nope, not set aside just for reserves. A friend of mine has a bright orange PD Spectre (which is funny since its 7-cell, folks always think he's under a reserve...that's even better when he hooks it).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites indyz 1 #8 January 20, 2004 Just don't get solid orange. Looks too much like a reserve, in my humble opinion. I had a Spectre that was bright orange top and bottom, but with a black center cell and royal blue ribs. Looked very cool (again, in my opinion) and was easy to spot from the ground. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GravityGirl 0 #9 January 20, 2004 Providing that the sky is BLUE, The opposite end of the color wheel offers the most contrast. #1 = Orange #2 = Yellow or Red. After jumping an all grey canopy and hear, "Dude, I didn't even see you!" too many times, I went with this: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkySlut 0 #10 January 20, 2004 I saw a canopy color design that looked great. It was orange top and bottom skin with grey ribs. It shined really nice in the sky and looked totally different. The colors looked really cool as the sun shined through the combo of the two. Anyways, if this is your first rig...why not buy used??? I personally wouldnt recommend buying all new gear for newer jumpers because you will get rid of it sooner rather than later. Of course there are some exceptions to that based on what your objectives are in your jumping career. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EdC 0 #11 January 20, 2004 Raven Orange. Mine looks like a reserve but it stands out. Oh yeah, the jump suit helps too. <-- Bright Isn't it? Big Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites KrisFlyZ 0 #12 January 20, 2004 Do you think my All PD Silver(which is more like charcoal) with black ribs canopy would be difficult to see? Even during the day?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyhi 24 #13 January 20, 2004 Secondary consideration - What cell gets the most contact with the ground, D-bag, container, packer... The center cell. Get a light colored center cell and it will turn into a dark one before too long. It is also easier to grab the tail of the canopy and wrap it if the center cell is a different color. Obviously, not too hard to do even on a solid canopy, but in the beginning, anything to speed up a pack job is good. Also, when it is time, they recommend a light colored canopy with dark colored cross bracings to elevate the cool factor.Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GravityGirl 0 #14 January 20, 2004 QuoteDo you think my All PD Silver(which is more like charcoal) with black ribs canopy would be difficult to see? Even during the day?? Well. By the time mine got really hard to see it had almost 2000 jumps on it. Plus it was a 97. But, yea. I got a lot of comments. Especially when rallying for a slot on the swoop coarse, etc. It helps if you DZ has green grass. I jump over pretty brown terrain, so ya know grey on brown is not great. Don't want to be a downer. Just relaying my experiences. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivingNurse 0 #15 January 21, 2004 I got no wife, no kids, no other hobbies besides drinking kick-butt craft beers, and a job that pays me pretty well. So unless I find some really nice used gear, well... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkySlut 0 #16 January 21, 2004 Well, Go for it then!!! Dont worry I will only expect a 6 pack of your "kick butt" home crafted beers for my consultation services... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #17 January 21, 2004 Check the attachments. Shows up from the ground and from above. If doing demos, it is guaranteed to be the picture in the paper next day. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nbblood 0 #18 January 22, 2004 Just another thing to think about.....if you plan on doing night jumps, lighter colors are easier to see during night jumps. I have a Sabre that is white in the five middle cells with blue and pink on the ends and everybody says they can see me real good at night. I always use that canopy during night jumps for that reason. NathanBlues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivingNurse 0 #19 January 22, 2004 That's a sweet looking canopy, but one question, how do you keep the flag from touching the ground? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #20 January 22, 2004 QuoteThat's a sweet looking canopy, but one question, how do you keep the flag from touching the ground? I don't land.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydivingNurse 0 #21 January 22, 2004 Ok, since this is the gear and rigging forum, I hope this is still within the rules for this forum, but is getting off topic. I'm really curious about the flag thing. I'm not attempting to insult or question at all, believe me, flying with the flag like that is an honor. It's just that I'm a former military guy, and I know that there are rules for the flag. Again, not attempting to insult, I'm honestly curious about it. Edit to add: if you really don't land, um, can I be your student? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mjosparky 4 #22 January 22, 2004 QuoteOk, since this is the gear and rigging forum, I hope this is still within the rules for this forum, but is getting off topic. I'm really curious about the flag thing. I'm not attempting to insult or question at all, believe me, flying with the flag like that is an honor. It's just that I'm a former military guy, and I know that there are rules for the flag. Again, not attempting to insult, I'm honestly curious about it. Edit to add: if you really don't land, um, can I be your student? PM sent.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Nightingale 0 #23 January 22, 2004 that's the only thing I don't like about watching demo jumps with the US flag. it always ends up getting dragged on the ground for landing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DJL 235 #24 January 22, 2004 Reminds me. The last weekend I was out jumping I deployed and then before turning back to the DZ diagonal across the flight path I looked for the girl who should have been deployed near me. Waited, waited....hung on rear risers. Finally at about 2k I made her out crossing the taxiway and landing her light green canopy."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 3ringheathen 0 #25 January 23, 2004 The wavelength of light that is easiest for the human eye to see is yellow. As someone else mentioned, a lot of military canopies are orange, white, brown and/or green. Orange for rescue, the other colors to blend in with different types of terrain. IMO, no single color is a good idea for a main. Ideally, it should be different from your reserve, and at least two contrasting colors top and bottom. Above all else, the human eye detects movement, so in general, an all green or brown top skin, or a grey, blue or white bottom skin are going to be hard to see. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
JohnRich 4 #5 January 20, 2004 QuoteDoes anyone have any idea what color shows up best against the sky? A color that shows up well on the ground is also good, so that when you have to do a cutaway, you can find it again out in the boonies. The military has put a lot of thought into this subject. Their pilot emergency chutes have three segments of color: orange, olive drab, and white. The idea is that the pilot can use those colors either for camoflauge, or for signalling help, in any kind of terrain. In the woods he uses olive to hide. In the snow, he uses the white. But to be seen and rescued, he uses: orange! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydivingNurse 0 #6 January 20, 2004 Wow, I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it. Makes the seeing it from below thing look silly and trivial. That seems a more worthy question, the last thing I'd want to do is be invisible from above and cause an incident. I'm thinking bright flourescent orange now, top AND bottom. Is orange ok, though? I mean, it's not reserved for reserve canopies only, is it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 January 20, 2004 Nope, not set aside just for reserves. A friend of mine has a bright orange PD Spectre (which is funny since its 7-cell, folks always think he's under a reserve...that's even better when he hooks it).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #8 January 20, 2004 Just don't get solid orange. Looks too much like a reserve, in my humble opinion. I had a Spectre that was bright orange top and bottom, but with a black center cell and royal blue ribs. Looked very cool (again, in my opinion) and was easy to spot from the ground. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 January 20, 2004 Providing that the sky is BLUE, The opposite end of the color wheel offers the most contrast. #1 = Orange #2 = Yellow or Red. After jumping an all grey canopy and hear, "Dude, I didn't even see you!" too many times, I went with this: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #10 January 20, 2004 I saw a canopy color design that looked great. It was orange top and bottom skin with grey ribs. It shined really nice in the sky and looked totally different. The colors looked really cool as the sun shined through the combo of the two. Anyways, if this is your first rig...why not buy used??? I personally wouldnt recommend buying all new gear for newer jumpers because you will get rid of it sooner rather than later. Of course there are some exceptions to that based on what your objectives are in your jumping career. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EdC 0 #11 January 20, 2004 Raven Orange. Mine looks like a reserve but it stands out. Oh yeah, the jump suit helps too. <-- Bright Isn't it? Big Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrisFlyZ 0 #12 January 20, 2004 Do you think my All PD Silver(which is more like charcoal) with black ribs canopy would be difficult to see? Even during the day?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #13 January 20, 2004 Secondary consideration - What cell gets the most contact with the ground, D-bag, container, packer... The center cell. Get a light colored center cell and it will turn into a dark one before too long. It is also easier to grab the tail of the canopy and wrap it if the center cell is a different color. Obviously, not too hard to do even on a solid canopy, but in the beginning, anything to speed up a pack job is good. Also, when it is time, they recommend a light colored canopy with dark colored cross bracings to elevate the cool factor.Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #14 January 20, 2004 QuoteDo you think my All PD Silver(which is more like charcoal) with black ribs canopy would be difficult to see? Even during the day?? Well. By the time mine got really hard to see it had almost 2000 jumps on it. Plus it was a 97. But, yea. I got a lot of comments. Especially when rallying for a slot on the swoop coarse, etc. It helps if you DZ has green grass. I jump over pretty brown terrain, so ya know grey on brown is not great. Don't want to be a downer. Just relaying my experiences. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydivingNurse 0 #15 January 21, 2004 I got no wife, no kids, no other hobbies besides drinking kick-butt craft beers, and a job that pays me pretty well. So unless I find some really nice used gear, well... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #16 January 21, 2004 Well, Go for it then!!! Dont worry I will only expect a 6 pack of your "kick butt" home crafted beers for my consultation services... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #17 January 21, 2004 Check the attachments. Shows up from the ground and from above. If doing demos, it is guaranteed to be the picture in the paper next day. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nbblood 0 #18 January 22, 2004 Just another thing to think about.....if you plan on doing night jumps, lighter colors are easier to see during night jumps. I have a Sabre that is white in the five middle cells with blue and pink on the ends and everybody says they can see me real good at night. I always use that canopy during night jumps for that reason. NathanBlues, Nathan If you wait 'til the last minute, it'll only take a minute. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydivingNurse 0 #19 January 22, 2004 That's a sweet looking canopy, but one question, how do you keep the flag from touching the ground? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #20 January 22, 2004 QuoteThat's a sweet looking canopy, but one question, how do you keep the flag from touching the ground? I don't land.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydivingNurse 0 #21 January 22, 2004 Ok, since this is the gear and rigging forum, I hope this is still within the rules for this forum, but is getting off topic. I'm really curious about the flag thing. I'm not attempting to insult or question at all, believe me, flying with the flag like that is an honor. It's just that I'm a former military guy, and I know that there are rules for the flag. Again, not attempting to insult, I'm honestly curious about it. Edit to add: if you really don't land, um, can I be your student? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #22 January 22, 2004 QuoteOk, since this is the gear and rigging forum, I hope this is still within the rules for this forum, but is getting off topic. I'm really curious about the flag thing. I'm not attempting to insult or question at all, believe me, flying with the flag like that is an honor. It's just that I'm a former military guy, and I know that there are rules for the flag. Again, not attempting to insult, I'm honestly curious about it. Edit to add: if you really don't land, um, can I be your student? PM sent.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #23 January 22, 2004 that's the only thing I don't like about watching demo jumps with the US flag. it always ends up getting dragged on the ground for landing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #24 January 22, 2004 Reminds me. The last weekend I was out jumping I deployed and then before turning back to the DZ diagonal across the flight path I looked for the girl who should have been deployed near me. Waited, waited....hung on rear risers. Finally at about 2k I made her out crossing the taxiway and landing her light green canopy."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3ringheathen 0 #25 January 23, 2004 The wavelength of light that is easiest for the human eye to see is yellow. As someone else mentioned, a lot of military canopies are orange, white, brown and/or green. Orange for rescue, the other colors to blend in with different types of terrain. IMO, no single color is a good idea for a main. Ideally, it should be different from your reserve, and at least two contrasting colors top and bottom. Above all else, the human eye detects movement, so in general, an all green or brown top skin, or a grey, blue or white bottom skin are going to be hard to see. -Josh If you have time to panic, you have time to do something more productive. -Me* *Ron has accused me of plagiarizing this quote. He attributes it to Douglas Adams. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
