Canopy questions

[stclaire2003 0]

I did my AFF in California and another friend of mine did hers in the mid west. We are the same size and shape however my AFF program started me on a 260, then 230 and down to a 210. Her program started her on a 190 and shes now on a 170.

We both have similar weight, skills and jump numbers but she lands very well and I only stand about 50% of my landings. We also both fly sabre2's.

I know the larger canopies are safer and more forgiving but I wonder if there are drawbacks to such a light loading. She never experienced the problems completing the flare (hard to stall the larger canopies), and she seemed to penetrate through wind easier then I did.

Its entirely possible shes just good and I suck but is it possible that Id do better on a 190? My exit weight is 190. Im not in a huge hurry to downsize but Im wondering if im at a disadvantage with more over my head then I truly need>

Thanks.

[billvon 3,009]

It's really hard to compare canopies at different jumper weights. A 1:1 loaded Safire with a 90 pound jumper is more responsive, turns faster etc than a 1:1 loaded Safire with a 180 pound jumper.

But in general you don't improve your landings by downsizing. Your problems will probably get worse before they get better if you do that. I'd recommend getting to the point where you can reliably land the 210 before trying the 190. If you do that, you may indeed notice your landings get better - because you'll be able to use the additional energy inherent in the greater speed of the canopy.

[stclaire2003 0]

Thanks doll. Im curious why one school starts students out with 190s and another school starts them out on 260's. There must be various schools of thought.

Its just od to me becasue her and I weigh the same.
Thanks for the advice.

[billvon 3,009]

>Im curious why one school starts students out with 190s and another
>school starts them out on 260's.

A lot of reasons. One is sheer canopy availability. Some schools have a few student rigs with one or two sizes of mains that accommodate most people. Others have a wider variety of main sizes. For a while we had a "Japanese woman" rig that had a 190 in it for really small students.

Another is general philosophy. Students are less likely to injure themselves under larger canopies, so many schools go the safer route. Use of larger canopies can instill bad habits, though, so some schools go smaller earlier to try to prevent that. Both methods can work.

A third is the area they are in. In an area with persistent strong winds, larger canopies can present a problem for lighter students; it's hard to land if your canopy is backing up. (Hawaii has this problem.)

[Mangiapane85 0]

The Sabre 2 is my favorite canopy of all that I've been researching. What I've gathered is that it's a pretty aggressive 9 cell in terms of glide descent. And it's not the most forgiving (especially for students I wouldn't think). The Sabre2 has a wingload rating of 168 pounds with a 210 for a STUDENT. For novices, it goes up to 189. Given that you're at a 190 exit weight, then it sounds like it could be a pretty good canopy for ya. Again, this is just speculation cuz I've never jumped one (or anything yet for that matter), so take all that as you will.

And I'll agree with Billvon. When I read your post, the first thing I thought of was weather conditions, atmospheric pressure, wind differences, etc. Or it could just be what floats that particular DZ's "boat."

Either way, good luck and keep us posted on how you improve, after all, i'm sure you will. Practice makes perfect. :)

-FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER!

-"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin

[timmyfitz 0]

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The Sabre 2 is my favorite canopy of all that I've been researching. What I've gathered is that it's a pretty aggressive 9 cell in terms of glide descent. And it's not the most forgiving (especially for students I wouldn't think). The Sabre2 has a wingload rating of 168 pounds with a 210 for a STUDENT. For novices, it goes up to 189. Given that you're at a 190 exit weight, then it sounds like it could be a pretty good canopy for ya. Again, this is just speculation cuz I've never jumped one (or anything yet for that matter), so take all that as you will.

Hey Mangiapane85, maybe you should do a skydive before you start giving advice. Reading DZ.com or gear reviews will not give the the EXPERIENCE needed to give advice to newbies.

[DocPop 1]

I have a couple of female friends who went through AFF this year and who complained about not having the strength to complete the flare on larger canopies.

Have someone watch you land (or even better video you landing so you can see it) and see if you are using all the flare on your canopy.

Other common problems with landing stem from not letting the canopy fly fully for 10 seconds before flaring. This robs you of airspeed which you could otherwise convert to lift for a soft landing.

I thoroughly recommend a canopy course, too.

Have fun!

"The ground does not care who you are. It will always be tougher than the human behind the controls."

~ CanuckInUSA

[shropshire 0]

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We both have similar weight, skills and jump numbers .......

...um ......

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but she lands very well and I only stand about 50% of my landings. We also both fly sabre2's.

.. so, no you don't

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Mangiapane85 0]

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The Sabre 2 is my favorite canopy of all that I've been researching. What I've gathered is that it's a pretty aggressive 9 cell in terms of glide descent. And it's not the most forgiving (especially for students I wouldn't think). The Sabre2 has a wingload rating of 168 pounds with a 210 for a STUDENT. For novices, it goes up to 189. Given that you're at a 190 exit weight, then it sounds like it could be a pretty good canopy for ya. Again, this is just speculation cuz I've never jumped one (or anything yet for that matter), so take all that as you will.

Hey Mangiapane85, maybe you should do a skydive before you start giving advice. Reading DZ.com or gear reviews will not give the the EXPERIENCE needed to give advice to newbies.

Get off my nuts man! You're startin to freak me out. Did you read the last sentence in my post by chance?? Drrrr... nope... you prolly didn't, did you?

At least I'm trying to stay on topic with the threads, and not hijackin' them all. If you wanna complain, pm me.

-FEAR IS TEMPORARY...REGRET IS FOREVER!

-"People living deeply have no fear of death"- Anais Nin

[stclaire2003 0]

Ok Shropshire..... thanks for your support and insight in answering my plea for help and not being one of these know-it-alls that just posts pointless rudenes for the sake of being superior.

Your very right, our LANDING skills are not the same. I bow subserviently to your greatness.

[timmyfitz 0]

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The Sabre 2 is my favorite canopy of all that I've been researching. What I've gathered is that it's a pretty aggressive 9 cell in terms of glide descent. And it's not the most forgiving (especially for students I wouldn't think). The Sabre2 has a wingload rating of 168 pounds with a 210 for a STUDENT. For novices, it goes up to 189. Given that you're at a 190 exit weight, then it sounds like it could be a pretty good canopy for ya. Again, this is just speculation cuz I've never jumped one (or anything yet for that matter), so take all that as you will.

Hey Mangiapane85, maybe you should do a skydive before you start giving advice. Reading DZ.com or gear reviews will not give the the EXPERIENCE needed to give advice to newbies.

Get off my nuts man! You're startin to freak me out. Did you read the last sentence in my post by chance?? Drrrr... nope... you prolly didn't, did you?

Yes, I read the last sentence. I stand by what I said.