Smaller canopy...?

[virulindex 0]

I just started my AFF a couple of weeks ago and I'm going to be doing my level 3 this weekend. I assume my instructors will probably keep me on the 260 I've been jumping until I pass level 7 but I don't know anything after that...

What is the usual progression to smaller, higher performance canopies?

I'm totally cool with the 260 right now, I'm not trying to rush anything, but a buddy posed the question so I thought I'd ask since I have no idea.

I'm 5'10", 180 pounds.

Thanks!

[dragon2 2]

Try searching for wingload. You'll probably downsize to a wingload of 1.1 for your first canopy, in your case that would be a 210 sqft canopy, maybe 1.1 that would be a 190. You'll probably jump a 230 sqft or something like that in between the 260 and the 210. You'll probably also buy a more high performance canopy than what you're jumping now, suitable first canopies include triathlon, spectre, safire, sabre, sabre2, pilot, silhouette. You can read up on these in the gear reviews and in these forums.

After that, the recommended progression is .1 wingload for every 100 jumps, search for Brian Germain's downsize list. For higher performance models than the previously mentioned canopies you're looking at a few hundred jumps.

If you're interested in swooping later on, the general recommendation is to buy a sabre2.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[drunk 0]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=234088

[virulindex 0]

I was looking for more of a list of what others have done and hadn't even thought about the actual difference in wingload. I did a search like you mentioned and now understand it a lot better than before.

Thanks!!

[virulindex 0]

Spot on!

Thanks!!

[dragon2 2]

YW

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[chuckakers 425]

Quote

I was looking for more of a list of what others have done and hadn't even thought about the actual difference in wingload. I did a search like you mentioned and now understand it a lot better than before.

Thanks!!

Pay no attention to what others have done. That's how many (dead) swoopers got started.

My advise is pretty simple. Don't downsize until you have a complete command of your current canopy. The key word there is "complete".

If you need a headwind to land standing up all nice and pretty, don't downsize. If you feel like the canopy gets ahead of you mentally (especially close to the target area and/or in traffic), don't downsize. And don't miss this one - if other jumpers have obvious concerns about your ability to fly and land your canopy, consider upsizing!


Chuck

[IanHarrop 41]

Another source of information

http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/bas-sizingchart.pdf

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