parachutes

[gnstuff4me 0]

I was wondering how you find out what how big (sq ft) of a chute I need. I weigh 170. Thanks!

[AggieDave 6]

Depends on a lot of things...

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=all&search_string=what+size+main&search_type=AND&search_fields=sb&search_time=&search_user_username=&sb=score&mh=25

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

[packerboy 3]

#1. You go to a nearby skydiving dropzone. (You can find information on many reputable ones on this website)

#2. You talk to a skydiving instructor about your situation.

#3. You do not listen to any answers that you get on this website except for this one.

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In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

[pchapman 279]

I see your name popping up a lot lately, and as someone who is going to take a first jump course in the future but hasn't jumped yet.

I know you are bursting with enthusiasm and questions, but you might want to just sit back and read, or even search old threads. It is hard for a newbie to pull the right kind of information out of all of the stuff that's been written here -- so a lot of what you read won't apply to you, and you won't have the experience to know what does and doesn't apply. Thus much of what you'll read is for information purposes only, which you'll pretty much need to ignore when you get to the drop zone and start listening to your instructors, and learn the basics of what will keep you alive.

You could download the USPA "SIM" if you are in the USA and want to get way ahead of yourself -- at least the info is accurate and concise.

It is way to early to ask about what parachute size you need, because you'll be given one to use as a student. As a student, you'll learn things like wing loading, either from your instructors, instruction manuals, or from hanging out with other skydivers.

There are plenty of people on DZ.com who will help newbies out, but we're not gonna explain everything, especially for someone who is going to learn things anyway at the DZ. If later on you get stuck trying to interpret something, then asking on DZ can be useful.

So you could try easing off on the questions just a little.

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

A big one. Big, slow and docile. First jump canopies often run 250 square feet or larger.
Manta student canopies run 288 normally (there are other sizes available).

You will progress to smaller canopies incrementally as you gain experience and skill.

All of those will be provided to you by the DZ.
By the time you are ready to buy your own first canopy, you will have a much better idea of what you will want.

Patience. Your enthusiasm is a good thing, but it can be taken too far.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[quade 4]

Quote

I was wondering how you find out what how big (sq ft) of a chute I need. I weigh 170. Thanks!

For the first several (possibly dozens) jumps you make . . . it's not up to you.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[davelepka 4]

Quote

I was wondering how you find out what how big (sq ft) of a chute I need. I weigh 170. Thanks!

Canopy size is determined by looking at the weight of the jumper, and their skill/experience flying a canopy.

The more weight you put under a canopy, the faster it will fly, among other things. It's similar to a wagon rolling down a hill. If you put a child in the wagon, it will reach a certain speed when it gets to the bottom of the hill, and if you put a full grown man in the wagon, it will end up going faster.

I'm sure it's not hard to imagine that a faster canopy takes more training and experience to fly safely, so for newer jumpers (or brand new jumpers) the goal is a very slow parachute.

The relationship of the canopy size to your weight is the wingloading, and it's figured by dividing your exit weight by the square footage of the canopy.

Your exit weight is how much you and all of your clothes, shoes and parachute gear weigh combined, this is the weight that you esit the plane with, hence the name 'exit weight'. As a student, you can count on at least 30 lbs of equipment, so your exit weight would be about 200 lbs. If you divide that by the average size of a student canopy, lets say 280 sq ft., and we come up with a wingloading (or WL) or .71 lbs per every 1 square foot of canopy, or .71:1.

That's the facts, but as they apply to you isn't really up to you. Your gear will be provided by the DZ where you do your training, and they will select your gear based on your weight and the conditions (wind, temp, etc) on the day of your first jump. Beyond the first jump, your instructors will look at the above factors, as well as your performance on your previous jump, when choosing your equipment moving forward. By the time you progress to the point where your instructors are not choosing your equipment, you will have a good understanding of the concepts and your skills, and be able to choose your own.

[buff 0]

Quote

I see your name popping up a lot lately, and as someone who is going to take a first jump course in the future but hasn't jumped yet.


You could download the USPA "SIM" if you are in the USA and want to get way ahead of yourself -- at least the info is accurate and concise.

SIM? That old thing is still relavent?
I am pretty sure that all knowledge can be found in your GoPro Owners Video Manual, Appendix B, Sec VII - Parachuting made easy.

You can rent a rig, an alti, and goggles but its bring your own Hero nowdays.

It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude.
If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough.
That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama

[gnstuff4me 0]

Sorry, will do