Downsizing and currency...

[fireballgrl 0]

I have been in the sport approximately 6 years having made my first skydive in 02. I did two tandems, 5 static lines, 7 AFP jumps, 5 coached jumps, and 32 solo jumps all in 03 and 04 and then have not jumped again until a month a half ago. I currently have 6 jumps back since under the same canopy (falcon 236) and student gear I was on back in 04.

I have just transitioned to a two handled system, with a much better fitting J1 harness. The Falcon will not fit in that container so I am downsizing to a Triathlon 190. I weigh 125 out of the door. Is this too big of a transition or downsize? I landed it for the first time yesterday with no winds, and I am not too proud to say I took a radio and was glad for it or I feel like I may have flared much higher. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated as I feel a tad bit intimidated with the drastic appearance of much less fabric over my head

[billvon 2,998]

>Is this too big of a transition or downsize?

Hard for us to say. The critical issue is that you make the change while under instruction; going with the radio was a good call. In an ideal world, I'd recommend making a few more jumps with a radio and a good canopy coach before making the 'final decision.' If, after getting some instruction, you are comfortable that you can land that canopy under any conditions (i.e. no wind, moderate winds, slope-y landing area etc) then it might be a good choice.

>I weigh 125 out of the door.

Is this your exit weight or your body weight?

Also, what is the size of the reserve in that system?

[yamtx73 0]

At about 36 jumps I went from a Navigator 220 to a Triathlon 175, which is about the same size difference. It took me a few jumps to get dialed in on the Triathlon, the first few landings weren't exactly pretty....
I don't think it's too big of a transition, if you felt the need for the radio then it's a good idea to have it with you. Put a few more jumps on the 190 and I think you'll feel much differently about "the drastic appearance of much less fabric".

The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers...

[michalm21 2]

yes, i dont know...
you are hot... I am drunk.
Good luck with everyyhing

[fireballgrl 0]

My exit weight is 125 and the reserve is a pd 143

[bwilling 0]

Quote

Is this too big of a transition or downsize?

It's impossible for folks that don't know you, and have never seen you fly a parachute, to make that call. That's really up to you and your local instructors.

But if it's any consolation, the Aerodyne tech chart for that canopy lists 171lbs exit weight as a 'Student/Novice' wing loading (.9) for that size Triathlon (190). You're at about .65 with a 125lbs exit weight, so according to the manufacture, you're jumping a very conservative wing loading for that canopy.

edited to add - You're still at a what PD considers a 'Novice' wing loading for the PD143R in that container, but if you think that Triathlon 190 looks small over your head, wait until you see that reserve!

"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

[billvon 2,998]

> My exit weight is 125

So you weigh in the neighborhood of 95 pounds? OK. In that case, the PD143 is probably appropriate, and you should be able to transition to the 190 without too much trouble (provided you have the sort of assistance you mentioned on your first jump with it.)

[fireballgrl 0]

No I weigh around 105 but when I stepped on the scale fully geared it says 125... thinking that scale is off by more than a few vanity pounds.

I will most certainly keep a radio on for the next several jumps to get used to the landings. I did appreciate the lack of floatiness, and being up there FOREVER, especially on higher wind days.