Crossbraced and Airlock in one canopy ?????????????????????????????

[rhino 0]

Why haven't we seen an attempt at a CROSSBRACED AIRLOCKED canopy? It would seem to be the best of both worlds?
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[MrHixxx 0]

Sounds like it would be some pretty expensive and complex construction.
Also, if I remember right. The last time I looked in the nose of my Xaos, the cross ports were really close to the front. It seems that would interfere with the airlocks too. It would take a pretty nifty design eh?
-Hixxx
"Sous ma tub, Dr. Suess ma tub"

[rhino 0]

It is an interesting thought isn't it?
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[NoleSkydiver 0]

You do realize that there is one in the prototype stage right? It is currently being tested in florida.

[rogue108 0]

I too can vouch for the existance of an airlocked crossbrace prototype. I saw it being tested at Z-Hills when I was in Florida. It is going to be one of Brian Germain's Big Air Sportz canopies

[grasshopper 0]

talk about huge pack volume

[skycat 0]

Well actually if you think if the sizes of most crossbraced canopies, a little more pack volume might not hurt. Such as hooknswoops VX60 he currently has, he is putting it in the smallest micron vector makes and the thing is still swimming in there. Actually you could probably put a 27 cell crossbrased with airlocks up to about an 80 in that container and it would still fit.

[diverdriver 5]

What's the real benefit? Look at the nose of a Velocity by PD. The nose is so closed off already that it is in effect "airlocked". The air can't get out very easily because of the very tiny openings at the front. Just my opinion. And I'm not an expert. Well....on canopies.
Chris

[rhino 0]

Not sure? That's why I'm asking the question?
Crossbraces hold the shape of the canopy right? And the Airlocks maintain pressurization right?
So you would have a canopy that maintains shape and keeps pressurization better than anything on the planet? Right?
Rhino
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[diverdriver 5]

Yes, and that's my point. I think the Velocity is in effect of its' design already doing that. I think there's a point of diminishing returns with this stuff. But, in order to get a Tiny35 to fly right you just might have to do all that stuff. But after studying history of aircraft design I think we might be at the point where something else is going to have to come along to get that extra performance. But, these guys keep tweeking and testing new stuff so who knows what the limits are. I'll just take a long look at whether it's worth it or not after the hype dies down on any new "gotta have it" promo.
Aircraft design has gone light years past what the human body is capable of withstanding. I think canopies will reach that point too. When? Dunno. But, we are the weakest link in all this. What can we handle? I'm assuming here that these new design features are for making these canopies smaller and smaller. And of course, that puts me out of the running for owning one. I don't jump enough to go smaller than my 107. But, like the acrobatic aircraft circuit is, some people are current and skilled enough to benefit from this. We'll see.
Chris

[rhino 0]

I could see Hook flying a 49 soon.. That would be cool to watch.. Only he would have to land on the runway!! ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!!
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[PhreeZone 20]

Brian seems not real big on making tiny canopies. He tends to make canopies for the masses. If he's got a new canopy out, you can almost bet that it will benifit the average sized jumper. Up until December of last year he said he had never made anything smaller then 95 feet. He made something like an 88 then and that was the smallest he's made to date.
Cause I don't wanna come back down from this cloud... ~ Bush

[rhino 0]

Brian is a smart cookie....
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[TheMarshMan1 0]

Geez, an 88?! Thats gigantic...what was he thinking?? lol...
Life's a bitch- be its pimp....

[rhino 0]

LOL
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[TheMarshMan1 0]

Although, if my scrawny ass jumped that, I'd only be loading it at 1.53....
Life's a bitch- be its pimp....

[rhino 0]

You are correct.. you are scrawny :)
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
http://www.aahit.com

[Levin 0]

Quote

Not sure? That's why I'm asking the question?
Crossbraces hold the shape of the canopy right? And the Airlocks maintain pressurization right?
So you would have a canopy that maintains shape and keeps pressurization better than anything on the planet? Right?

Icarus claimed in their initial 3 page ad for the FX a few years ago that they experimented with crossbraced airlocked canopies. if i remeber correctly they did not go that route because of excessive pack volume and the added performance wasn't worth the added effort and cost to make one.
Personally i would never buy an airlocked canopy for two reasons. 1. they stay partially inflated after a cut-away. a little breeze can carry them a little ways. i've seen it twice. 2. just in case i crash in the pond. those airlocks hold water just as well as air. i wonder what draining a crossbraced airlock canopy would be like. maybe not any worse. but it may be enough for a competitor to miss the next round. maybe that's why you don't see to many at the swoop meets.