New canopy - rubbish openings - defect?

[RichyR 0]

I've just got a new rig. A Vector with Pilot 168 ZPX, and every one of the 15 jumps I've made so far have had really off heading openings 180+, and thrown me around a lot - my back's getting sore! It's been packed by two different packers and me all with the same result.

I've been jumping a non ZPX Pilot 168 in a Jav for the last 40 jumps immediately before, and almost all openings were great. The new container d-bags smaller than the old rig, but the ZPX fits fine. The new rig has the UPT semi stow less bag, the Jav had a no-sto bag.

Could it be a canopy defect? It steers and flares fine?

[Rickendiver 6]

Hmm, my Pilot 168ZPX did that to me as well, with off heading openings when brand new. After about 75 jumps it really started to beat the crap out me. Turned out the line set was way out of spec- some lines were too short, and others too long. Had a new line set installed and problem solved. It'd be interesting to see if mine was a one-off, or if it's happening with other Pilots as well.

[RichyR 0]

That's interesting. How long ago was that?
I'll give Aerodyne a call and get the spec measurements to check.

[RichyR 0]

Just found them on their website. Will take some decrypting though.

[mark 107]

Why wait? Line trim charts attached, from flyaerodyne.com.

Also, you might try jumping the canopy with a different pilot chute. Also try in a different container. Also try with a different bag.

Mark

[Rickendiver 6]

DOM on my canopy was 05/29/2012.

[RichyR 0]

Thanks.

I had a rigger check the line trims, and it was spot on. He said one brake was quite twisted - I noticed this before and asked a packer about it, and she said it was fine.

Openings are now much better. A few 90deg off heading, but much much gentler.

[skytribe 17]

Quote

asked a packer about it, and she said it was fine.

Packers are often lazy. Hence it was fine.

If your trying to eliminate a problem make sure everything is correct.

[maggyrider 10]

If possible, let somebody else (as experienced as somehow possible) jump your rig. Body position is a reason that is given much too often for bad openings, but I still see the possibility. A new rig, with different sizing and a different place to grab your pilot chute can do strange things to your body position while pulling.

Nice words are not always true - and true words are not always nice.

[piisfish 140]

pilot chute might come into the equation.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[RichyR 0]

Yeah, the rigger thought part of it may be the different PC.

Old one was much bigger - Chernis 32" F111, new one is UPT Vector 27" F111.

[piisfish 140]

I like my PC's to be rather on the larger side.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM