shah269 0 #1 July 8, 2010 That may be the one and only time I've ever said that. But I'm on jump 16 and will continue to try and jump every other week as long as I can. And having thought about it, I've decided....swooping...not my thing. Spinning around....not my thing. My life is nuts, and just floating is my way of finding peace. If i want fast at low altitude I have a bike that can do well over 120mph. Right now I weight 185lbs. I'm jumping a 285 and I love it! It's slow, it's easy to land it's.....just relaxing. Almost like sailing. Long after every one has touched down I'm still up there taking deep breaths and enjoying my life. Only catch.......I don't see many if any 285's on the market? Am I just looking in the wrong spot? And how much would a total system cost? Thanks in advance. ShahLife through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 8 #2 July 8, 2010 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=95542;d=1 http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=95547;d=1 Just keep in mind, they may not have as much penetration in higher winds, which means you might want to keep your ass planted when the wind starts moving up"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #3 July 9, 2010 I am not advocating you change your plan and I am not advocating rapid downsizing of canopies; just sharing my experience as another relative newbie. I weigh approximately 5lbs less than you do and only have a handful more jumps than you do at this time. I think my first couple of jumps were on a Nav280. I really felt wingloading that low resulted in anemic flare power. As I've progressed down in size a couple of steps I found the flare power was noticeably better, and much more to my liking. My landings were decent on the Nav280 but improved with each step down in canopy size. The other advantage I found in dropping a few square feet was better forward speed, so I wasn't at risk of flying backwards in relatively low winds. With the Nav280 it didn't take much of breeze for me to see little to no forward progress over the ground. If and when you downsize, and do it in 20sq ft steps to keep it safe and comfortable, you will probably like the additional control.The meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #4 July 9, 2010 We do have a 260 at the DZ i'll give it a shot.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d123 3 #5 July 9, 2010 Dude, after jump 30 go an buy a 230 spectre, easy to pack, easy to land in no wind, with rear risers and has some penetration. Speaking from experience here! Same weight!Lock, Dock and Two Smoking Barrelrolls! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 279 #6 July 9, 2010 I can't say exactly what's right for you. But a little downsizing would be fine. If you ended up buying a 230 (after using the 260 at your dz), that would still be a light wingloading of (185+30max)/230 = .93. It's still going to be pretty floaty compared to most things being jumped. And it may even be more relaxing on days where the winds are up, as you won't spend as much time having to plan your descent to avoid getting drifted away. More canopy speed equals more freedom to fly where ever you want. I don't personally mind jumping huge canopies in high wind, but it takes a lot more planning than when I'm under something small. While I don't want to push downsizing, it is common to want a little more speed after making more jumps, even if initially someone figured they would never want to go smaller. And as stated, landings can actually get better as one gets a little speed (and gets a canopy better than some older student canopies), enabling more of a swing forward to plane out to a landing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RiggerLee 61 #7 July 10, 2010 There's more to it then size. I don't know exactly what you're jumping but there are a lot of canopies out there that are more eficent designs then most student rigs. You might get even better landings, glide, even min sink rate by going to a smaller but cleaner design. LeeLee lee@velocitysportswear.com www.velocitysportswear.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liftedtitan 0 #8 July 10, 2010 285 7 or 9 cell?Moriuntur omnes, sed non omnes vixerunt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim_32766 0 #10 July 10, 2010 QuoteWe do have a 260 at the DZ i'll give it a shot. Sounds like a reasonable plan. Let us know how it goes.The meaning of life . . . is to make life have meaning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RiggerLee 61 #11 July 10, 2010 Did you know that there was once an eight cell canopy? Chaffen built them. LeeLee lee@velocitysportswear.com www.velocitysportswear.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #12 July 11, 2010 Quote285 7 or 9 cell? 285 9. Don't know the make. sorry. But she's big fat and soft!Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
