Need advice on canopy size

[Stik 0]

Here is the story. I have 30 jumps down here in Texas. I have been trying to get all my gear together so I won't have to rent anymore. I am 216 pounds the last time I checked and have a Javelin Oddessy and a Pd193 reserve. I need to buy a main. I usually jump a 210 Triathalon when I rent and don't know whether I should buy a 210 for my own rig or should go with a 190 and just get used to it. I have jumped a 190 once and it was pretty darn fast. What do you think? 190 or 210. I think I am going to buy either a Hornet or a Sabre2. Thanks, Pete

[skygod7777 0]

i would get the 210. you have to figure, with 20 pounds of gear. your 236 exit weight. that would give you 1.1 wing loading. which is pretty good to start with for a couple hundred jumps.

a 190 would put you at ~1.25, and that is a bit much for 30 jumps.

but, ask you instuctors, they will know the best. we have no clue how you fly a canopy. for all we know you could handle a 190, but we don't. so take every answer here with a grain of salt, because we really don't know you capabilities.

later

[AndyMan 7]

It depends.

If you're going to order new, and there's a two month backlog, and you're going to do another 40 jumps before you get it? The 190 might be a good choice if you commit to getting canopy coaching.

If you're going to buy something off the shelf, or used - get the 210. The 190 is a big piece to bite off for right now.

1.25 is very high for someone with 30 jumps, but is within reason for someone with a hundred, depending on skill.

Make sure to listen to the advice of your instructors, they know you best.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[skybytch 273]

You said the 190 you jumped was "pretty darn fast"; do you want to land that fast every time? Think you could safely avoid someone who cut you off while you're on final under that canopy or put that canopy in someone's backyard in no wind? Could you do both today?

I'd suggest a 210 - well, actually I'd suggest a 230 but since you're already jumping a 210 and have a 193 reserve you probably wouldn't listen to that advice. Basically, get something that doesn't scare you now and then learn to fly the snot out of it before going any smaller.

[rgoper 0]

that Triathlon you jump there used to belong to me, i bought it new. the flight characteristics between the Triathlon and Hornet/Sabre2 are very different. the Triathlon is one of the most forgiving canopies i've ever flown, don't be fooled into thinking all of the other canopies you fly will be the same. i'd stay with a 210^2 for now, at least 100 jumps.

--Richard--
"We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist"

[ladyskydiver 0]

Quote

I have jumped a 190 once and it was pretty darn fast.

How are your landings? Are they consistently stand up?

I'd say stick with the 210 based on the above statement you made. Get some more experience under a 210. You can always downsize later.

Also, what do your instructors think?

Just my $0.02.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[Stik 0]

My landings have been pretty good. I was jumping a 230 for a few jumps and it was really slow. My instiuctors think that a 190 is about as big as I should go. I think that I want to be a little more conservative than that. When I bought my container from my instructor he had it sized so that a 210 is the biggest canopy that will fit in it.(the guide said it would fit tight) I like how the 210 lands. the 190 spectre that I jumped was super zippy. I would pull a toggle down to my ear and it turned like the 210 with the toggle burried. Thanks

[johnny1488 1]

You have more than enough time to learn to fly a 210. Dont just downsize when you think you can handle it. I would put your exit weight closer to 245lbs with your rig, helmet, alti, shoes, jumpsuit, cookies you didnt finish on the plane (is that just me?)I dont think you will have any problem fending off boredom with any canopy at 1.17:1. Have fun and be safe

Johnny
--"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!"
Mike Rome

[callahan 0]

I'd go with what you feel comfortable with . Don't forget that with the warmer temps coming up that you'll be coming in faster . The other question might be is how often do you plan on jumping per




month . I don't get to jump as much as I'd like to and I'm 1 to 1 on a spectre 190 . I've got about 220 jumps on it . Being conservative can save
your ankles and legs and downtime if you crash in . I stand up my landings but I need to improve on my flairs to get better at them . Make sure you don't rush through a size before you learn the most out of it like skybytch said . If you don't learn what you need on something that is more forgiving you might be too scared to try to it on something smaller . I had to put it down on a windy day with barbed wire fences around and things turned out fine . Be safe !

[pringles 0]

I won't comment on what size canopy you should get. I will comment on the type though. I love PD canopies. I however wouldn't want to pack a PD canopy in the size range you are looking at. I would say that if you can still get your hands on a Hornet or something made by Pisa it would be much easier to pack when starting out. I think that the Zp they use is even a bit easier to pack than that Triatholon you jump. I know people say its the same fabric. I think that it is only similar. I used to own a Triatholon and I have packed many hornets, vipers and heat waves. Im sure there is a difference. I hope this helps, and congratulations on your first rig.

Matt

Matt Davies

[Stik 0]

Thanks. I am going to try and find a 210 Hornet I think. I won't be able to choose the colors but that doesn't matter that much. My next concern is if it will fit in my Rig. I demoed a Spectre 190 and it fit well, but when I bought my container it said that a 210 with microline would be tight. I have been looking at packing volume numbers and I don't think that everyone uses the same method to messure them. Thanks again. Pete

PS I have a J4K Odessey.

[johnny1488 1]

A 210 will be tight but nowhere near impossible.

Johnny
--"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!"
Mike Rome

[Marz 0]

Ok, I don't post here often, and I'm by no means an expert... But here's my opinion. I bought a Spectre 150 at about 75 jumps, which I load at 1.2:1, after having jumped a Sabre 170 from graduation from AFF.

I was about to downsize, because it was apparently "the cool thing to do" in order to get chick to love me and show new commers to the sport how hot I was.

Then it happened. I came in on a very sketchy landing at jump #150, I panicked and slammed in on my tail bone at whatever speed you go at that wing loading in full flight. I compressed my t-12 vertebrea, and I have repercussions to this day.

HOWEVER...... I'm walking and skydiving again today. I've decided NOT to downsize right now and let the hot ladies think whatever they want. (my wife doesn't appreciate the comments anyways).

MY POINT: a smaller canopy might look like alot of fun, but also requires skill and experience to fly. And if you ever get a bad landing, which is bound to happen in your next 100 jumps or so, you'll thank god you picked a larger canopy that allowed you to walk away from it somewhat unscathed. And i"ll tell you, when I wanna play, my 150 can still slam my sphincter shut!

Cheers!

_________________________________________
Did I just kill another thread?

[rpanter 0]

PD reccomends that when demoing a new canopy not to change size or type at the same time. That is down size and different brand or model (even if the same manufacture). You will get different characteristics by just changing one and can get your butt in trouble by too many changes at once. Also jumping in Texas you are pretty close to sea level, so any where above that will give you faster landings than you are used to. Talk to instructors that may have taught you and know what you are capable of and not trying to sell you gear and are familiar with the equipment you are looking at to help you decide on what is safe. Anyone who has not seen your canopy control skills cannot suggest anything beyond a novice or student type canopy of the correct wing loading set by the manufacture. Sorry, I don't agree with hoping that by the time your smaller custom canopy comes in you will have the needed experience to jump it. You may not and will want to jump it because you have it and could hurt yourself of someone else. Buy the correct size for your current skill and down size when your skill is appropriate.

[Stik 0]

I am going to go with a 210. I am going to contact PD and see what canopies will fit in my J4k container. Thanks for all your replies. Pete

[rpanter 0]

Quickly checking Sunpath's site a J4K fits a 176 reserve with up to a 190 ZP main. So you are already pushing the container with the bigger reserve, and a 210 ZP main also should fit but will be harder to close. Pushing the limits of both the main and reserve containers with bigger canopies may not be safe so consult a rigger and have them test fit a borrowed 210 main like the one you intend to and see if they will work. Function and safe operation of the container is the factor now since you are pushing the design limits.