Parachute Loading Ratio's

[Capt10Matt 0]

As I was looking at the incident reports on the other message boards I was wondering what kind of ratio is standard for a new student.

I'm asking this because I'm looking into buying a chute that would put me at a 1:1 ratio. Is this conservative enough?

On the other end of the spectrum, what's the greatest ratio an expert skydiver would fly size vs. weight.

[NWFlyer 2]

That question depends greatly on your exit weight. A jumper whose exit weight is 190 might be perfectly fine on a 190 canopy. A jumper whose exit weight is 120 probably won't find a 120 a good choice. Your best bet, of course, is to talk to your instructors and have them help you assess your abilities relative to your first canopy choice. With only 3 jumps, you've got plenty of time to make a decision.

As for the other end of the spectrum, wingloadings above 2.0 are not at all uncommon among top swoopers, who often increase their exit weight by using weights.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[AggieDave 6]

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who often increase their exit weight by using weights.

Really? Not everyone.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[NWFlyer 2]

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who often increase their exit weight by using weights.

Really? Not everyone.

That's why I said "often" not "always", Dave. I know some of you big boys don't need to and some don't choose to.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[AggieDave 6]

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I know some of you big boys don't need to and some don't choose to.

Actually, a lot of us would like to if we had a choice, but we can't in competition due to exit weight rules.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[billvon 2,991]

>I was wondering what kind of ratio is standard for a new student.

First jumper - generally .8 to 1 or thereabouts.

New grad with 10 jumps - around 1 to 1. Depends on the student. Lighter students tend to be happier with lighter loadings for a number of reasons. Check out the PD website for more info on this, especially "wing loading and its effects."

http://www.performancedesigns.com/canopyinfo.asp

>what's the greatest ratio an expert skydiver would fly size vs. weight.

I'm just under 2:1. 2:1 to 2.5:1 seems to be a 'sweet spot' for many swoopers.

[IanHarrop 42]

Here's an old thread that deals with this somewhat.

The attachment in this post is an update to the table posted at the beginning of the thread.

This table references jump numbers with exit weights and recommendations for canopy size.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1981522#1981522

This may have been updated again since....

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[Pulse 0]

This depends on what kind of wing loading you're coming from also.

"Any language where the unassuming word fly signifies an annoying insect, a means of travel, and a critical part of a gentleman's apparel is clearly asking to be mangled."

[dharma1976 0]

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who often increase their exit weight by using weights.

Really? Not everyone.

some of us just use our natural beer loading to reach 2.1

Dave

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[Capt10Matt 0]

Ok cool. So a docile 190 would be ok for someone at about 10 jumps if they weighed 190lb then. Or hell, I could just lose some weight, get down to 180lb and it'd be all the better.

Appreciate the help.

[NWFlyer 2]

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Ok cool. So a docile 190 would be ok for someone at about 10 jumps if they weighed 190lb then. Or hell, I could just lose some weight, get down to 180lb and it'd be all the better.

Appreciate the help.

Remember if you weigh 190, that's not your exit weight. Add at least 25 lbs for clothing/shoes/gear. So at 190, your exit weight would be 215. Giving you a wingloading of 1.13:1 on a 190. Which may or may not be appropriate for you - but none of us out here in internet-land can evaluate that for you. Talk to your instructors who know your canopy skills and can help you evaluate and choose the right canopy.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Remster 30]

Remember: the suspended weight is more then what your body weighs.

You need to add approx. 25 lbs for your rig, clothing, jumpsuit, shoes, etc....

Remster

[dharma1976 0]

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Remember: the suspended weight is more then what your body weighs.

You need to add approx. 25 lbs for your rig, clothing, jumpsuit, shoes, etc....

ahhhh crap

I really need to weigh myself with my rig on and just figure it from that I guess I am overloading the FX then

Dave

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[Remster 30]

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Remember: the suspended weight is more then what your body weighs.

You need to add approx. 25 lbs for your rig, clothing, jumpsuit, shoes, etc....

ahhhh crap

I really need to weigh myself with my rig on and just figure it from that I guess I am overloading the FX then

Dave

Well, with a 97 reserve, a 89 main, the rig MAY weight less...

Remster

[dharma1976 0]

well it is a 126 reserve and a 99 main

but no cypress so I think that may save me a few lbs

Dave

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[Capt10Matt 0]

Glad I asked this because I wasn't putting together the whole exit weight thing. Makes sense...time to get back in the gym.

[divnswoop 0]

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who often increase their exit weight by using weights.

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Really? Not everyone.

She also said "top swoopers"!!!

[dharma1976 0]

truthfully it is suspended weight

so if we really wanted to be picky about it doesnt the main not fit into the equation :-P

Dave

http://www.skyjunky.com

CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing.

[AggieDave 6]

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You need to add approx. 25 lbs for your rig, clothing, jumpsuit, shoes, etc....

My rig when weighed in for competition last year weighed 24.3lbs. That's the rig and the rig only. In it at the time was a XF2 149, a PDr 176 and a Cypres 1. All in a 5 year old Wings.

I'd say those are typical sizings.

That was not including my jumpsuit, helmet, alti, shoes or anything else.

25lbs is much too low, I'd put the average gear jumped by most average jumpers is around 30lbs.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[icevideot 0]

If you chop the main it still falls to the ground so wouldn't it also contribute to the total weight that is allowing the canopy to fly in the first place? It may not contribute to the equations for the reserve assuming you chop it but I think it does for the main.

What do you smart guys lurking out there think?

"... this ain't a Nerf world."

[AggieDave 6]

Just like the weight of an airplane's wings are equated into the plane's total weight, so is the fabric of a canopy. Just because its generating lift doesn't mean it instantly becomes weightless, defying gravity.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."