SBS 0 #1 May 30, 2002 A straight forward question, looking for straight forward answers...Why do people jump small, high performance canopies? What do we see as the benefits that make the added risk worth it?We have mentioned a lot of things in other threads, but I am just curious to see how people answer the direct question.Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookit 0 #2 May 30, 2002 QuoteWhy do people jump small, high performance canopies? It's FUN!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sinkster 0 #3 May 30, 2002 In reply, all I can say is:Why even skydive? What do we see as the benefits that make the added risk worth it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #4 May 30, 2002 Why do pilots fly Pitts Specials or Extra 400s? Because they want to challenge their aviation skills. They are stunt planes. Just like Velocitys and Extremes...and Xaos..etc...Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spy38W 0 #5 May 30, 2002 QuotePitts Specials or Extra 400sUhm, isn't the Extra 400 more of a cross country machine?--Give them a sip of the darkside, and they just thirst for more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #6 May 30, 2002 In reply, all I can say is:Why even skydive? What do we see as the benefits that make the added risk worth it?-----------------------------That wasn't the question. I fly high performance canopies, and I enjoy it. I was not saying that we should not. I am wondering why people do, what other people's reasons are. When people criticize others for hook turning, I do present them with the question that you asked. Simple question, seeking simple, straight forward answers...There are those who choose to fly small, high performance canopies. Why?Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 May 30, 2002 Interesting question coming from a guy that did pretty well in the Intermediate PPPB competition, so I gotta figure you have some thoughts on this yourself.quadehttp://futurecam.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sebazz1 2 #8 May 30, 2002 Why do you jump one Steve?The main reason I ever got a higher loaded eliptical canopy is because I needed to penetrate the often windy conditons I have at my home DZ. Through time I have slowly learned to really enjoy landing in no wind conditions and enjoy the speed and rush of a good swoop. But mostly to penetrate wind. I enjoy the smaller canopy for lighter weight and easier packing issues too.As you know Steve RW ways getting out before Blanco and then being the guy tracking east on break-off it was frustrating landing over on the other side of Blanco always. That is when I got the Stiletto over my Falcon. I did not get it to do high performance landings. That has just been a side affect since getting the canopySebazz........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #9 May 30, 2002 I think chris meant to say an Extra 300....not the 400 cause he knows thats the million plus dollar Extra that doesn't even have a fricken turbine in it.....and I have to say an Extra 300 is a LOT of fun to fly.....3..2..1..C-YAmarc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #10 May 30, 2002 Interesting question coming from a guy that did pretty well in the Intermediate PPPB competition, so I gotta figure you have some thoughts on this yourself.------------------------------Thank you. :-)Yeah, I do have thoughts on it. I wonder, though, what other people's thoughts are. I'm sure that my opinions differ quite a bit from many, and there are many reasons that I may not see. I'm curious what people may come up with.Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #11 May 30, 2002 Post deleted by skybytch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #12 May 30, 2002 Sorry for the double post...computer issues. :-)steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spy38W 0 #13 May 30, 2002 Quoteand I have to say an Extra 300 is a LOT of fun to fly.....Yes, very fun, try a Sukhoi for more fun, all the left turning tendencies become right turning tendencies, very odd when you start doing acro in one. --Give them a sip of the darkside, and they just thirst for more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SBS 0 #14 May 30, 2002 Why do you jump one Steve?--------------Well, they're fun. :-)I love to swoop. That, to me, is one of my favorite parts of skydiving.Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #15 May 30, 2002 Yup..I have about 15 hours in a sukhoi...good fun...great up lines.......lots of power and torque....3..2..1..C-YAmarc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #16 May 30, 2002 QuoteWhy do pilots fly Pitts Specials or Extra 400s? Because they want to challenge their aviation skills.I guess the difference is that for aerobatic planes there's a thing called a low altitude waiver that you are supposed to get from the FAA if you want to show off down close to the ground.Additionally, to date I've never seen a pilot successfully perform a split-s to landing -- not twice anyway.quadehttp://futurecam.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,064 #17 May 30, 2002 >Why do people jump small, high performance canopies? What do we see as the> benefits that make the added risk worth it?For the same reason that people drive fast cars. They're fun. (The analogy isn't perfect, of course - fast cars generally have good brakes; small canopies don't.)The sad part is that most people simply don't equate them with injury and death. We just lost another skydiver under a heavily loaded canopy, and I'm sure he didn't get up that morning thinking "I think I'll screw up today and die." For as long as we jump high performance canopies with minimal training, skydivers _will_ die, and they _will_ be friends of yours (or even you.) They will not see it coming, and it will generally be a tragedy that no one can prepare for or anticipate.It's always sobering to go to WFFC and know that, almost without a doubt, someone you see there will be dead before the week is out. It's one thing to know that it's statistically likely; quite another thing to look at a crowd of people under a tent and wonder which one it will be. I think if it were easier to internalize things like that we would see a lot fewer fatalities under small canopies.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #18 May 30, 2002 I getta buzz from the speed/ground effect similar to gettin' on my sportsbike... Feels good!!! Got an itch, so I scratch...-Hixxx"Sous ma tub, Dr Suess ma tub" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #19 May 31, 2002 Why do people jump small, high performance canopies? What do we see as the benefits that make the added risk worth it?-------------------------------------------------------------------------ahh comm'on you just wanted to see if someone would call you a whuffoto answer your query...I have no Idea...I fly a bus still!Life's a bitch, and I'm her Pimp!JThttp://community.webshots.com/user/jtval100 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #20 May 31, 2002 HHmmmm.....well....I wouldn't call my canopy small by any means. However, it is a Stilletto so it is semi High Performance. It's a 170 loaded about 1.3 maybe a little less (Lost a few pounds lately) I just wanted more swoop for my efforts. I was doing 270's regularly on my PD 190 and only getting about 60 Ft of surf with "normal wind" I knew that a more HP canopy would give me much better surf with less effort. A couple of weeks ago I got 100 Ft or more out of a turn that was a little less than 180 degrees. IMHO...it's a safer canopy for me because I don't have to do such crazy turns on it to get some very fun surfs. Right now...I see absolutely no reason to downsize. That may change after a few hundred jumps on this canopy but it kinda feels good that I'm already close to the same number of jumps I had on my last canopy and have no desire to downsize yet. Maybe I have some good sense in there somewhere. Now, if I can just apply that to my choices in women I'll be doin alright..."Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #21 May 31, 2002 QuoteI'm already close to the same number of jumps I had on my last canopy and have no desire to downsize yet. Maybe I have some good sense in there somewhere. Now, if I can just apply that to my choices in women I'll be doin alrightI don't judge by the number of jumps. It's the quality, man! I can't answer about the small/performance canopies. I fly a Sabre 190 at about 1.15:1. For me, a sweet landing is when I end up on two feet without biffing. Justin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #22 May 31, 2002 QuoteFor the same reason that people drive fast cars. They're fun.Unfortunately, the idiots that think our roads are a place to have "fun" put other people at risk. Too many people are maimed or killed by drivers who think driving should be "fun" and "fast". The folks who fly the highly loaded eliptical canopies are putting themselves at rick, but rarely are others hurt when the fun disappears and something goes wrong... Here's another reason some fly those tiny canopies... impress others at the dz !"There's nothing new under the sun" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #23 May 31, 2002 Quoteimpress others at the dz !Don't forget the most important reason......Chics dig it!!!! "Here I come to save the BOOBIES!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #24 May 31, 2002 QuoteDon't forget the most important reason......Chics dig it!!!! Baby....I was gettin' hot and bothered watchin' you swoop.....you can live in happiness too, like the oompa loompa dooba de do.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #25 May 31, 2002 because it lands better downwind.... and chicks love it when you 270 it over the packing area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
