Heatwave- same category as Stilletto?

[dbattman 0]

Does a Heatwave fall into the high-performance category? Another jumper I know is planning to downsize his 170 at the end of the season and it's going up for sale. I weigh about 210 out the door, have about 155 total, 100 on a Falcon 195.

Is this a bad combination? Either way I'm sticking with my promise to myself not to downsize until the end of the season, at least.

[polarbear 1]

My second canopy was a Heatwave 170, loaded at ~1.35. I started jumping it at about 150 jumps. I was pretty happy with it.

I would say it is comparable to the Stiletto. I think it has a flatter glide, lower touch down speed, and higher front riser pressure. It also oversteers more. It is a highly tapered airfoil and exhibits the characteristics associated with them.

Whether or not you will be OK on it is something you and the knowledegeable people you jump with will have to decide. Generically, I would say a competent canopy pilot with 150-200 jumps should be OK, but is definitely an agressive choice. Be prepared for it.

The jumper you want to buy it from should let you try it before buying. Give it a shot and see if you like it.

"Holy s*** that was f***in' cold!"

[rgoper 0]

visit www.pisa.co.za/ for information on this canopy. it is not a cross braced performance canopy, but you will like it!

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

[AggieDave 6]

The Heatwave is Pisa's version of the Stilletto. Like the Hornet and Sabre, the Heatwave has some differences in flight characteristics, some good, some bad, depends on who you talk to.

As for are you ready to jump it or not? We can't tell you that, ask the S&TA where you jump at to watch you fly your canopy/land to see if he/she thinks its time for you to go the elliptical route. My opinion would be to put some jumps on a ZP canopy of some sort before going ZP *and* elliptical.

The most important point of my post is to talk to some people who know what they're talking about and watch you jump regularly. Only they can tell you honestly about your canopy skills, we can't, we dont' jump with you.

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

[cloud9 0]

The Heatwave is deffenitly a high performance canopy and very similar to the Stiletto. As Dave said get some advice for someone experienced that knows how you fly. I would also agree with Dave that you should probably get at least a few jumps on a ZP square canopy befoe going eliptical. It would be a considerable jump from a 195 falcon to a 170 Heatwave. You will need to be cafefull you don't balloon the first few landings under it.

I have a Heatwave and love the canopy, it has great openings, very responsive turns, a lot flare for landing and it packs easier then the stiletto.

[Kris 0]

I have owned both canopies. I currently have a Stiletto 190, I had a Heatwave 190. My loading is about 1.35:1. The Heatwave is definitely a high-performance canopy with all the quirks that come with ellipticals.

Definitely talk to your jumpmasters / instructors at your DZ to see where they think your canopy skills are at before trying it out.

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[skygod7777 0]

why did you get rid of the heatwave for a stilleto???? just wondering.

blue skys and long swoops
kelly

"hook low, flare late................dirt, tumble, dirt"

[Kris 0]

I loved the Heatwave but it had a problem with a built-in right turn that was getting progressively worse. By the time I sent it back to the dealer I had to give it 4-5 inches of left toggle to keep it flying straight.

Steering lines and line trim was checked by myself and several riggers with no problems found. The problem was in the construction.

I couldn't wait 5 weeks for a replacement canopy (ordered it with custom colors) and there was a Stiletto in stock with my exact colors so I paid the difference and got it.

The canopies are remarkably similar but the Heatwave had some pretty amazing oversteer compared to the Stiletto.

I really liked the Heatwave and would still be jumping it today if it wasn't for the problem with the one I had.

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[skygod7777 0]

that's really weird that your heatwave had a problem, (i had a coulple 100, 120,and 135) and it wasn't in the line set or anything. but you did return it for a full refund didn't you???? i mean if there was a problem in the build of the canopy, then pisa should of replaced it or given your money back.

later

blue sky's and long swoops
kelly


"hook low, flare late................dirt, tumble, dirt"

[Kris 0]

The Heatwave 150 that was in a DZ rig at my old DZ and another jumper's Heatwave 120 were both fine with no problems. I guess I just happened to get the one that was made on a Friday near quitting time.
The dealer offered to give me either a refund or full credit towards another canopy. I took the credit towards the Stiletto.

Other than the turn issue, I loved the canopy.

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[Kirils 1]

I have owned 2 HeatWaves (170, 150) and 1 Stiletto (150). I really get tired of hearing that "Heatwaves are Stiletto copies". It's about as true as saying "the Sabre2 is a Hornet copy!" PD isn't the only company capable of new product development.
Both the Heatwave and Stiletto are excellent canopies. Flight characteristics are quite different.
The HeatWave flies "bigger" than the Stiletto. Jump them both. Make an objective decision. don't cave into anecdotal crap about these canopies. Fly them both and decide what is best for you!

[freeflir29 0]

I went from a PD 190 (About 90 jumps on it) to a Stilletto 170 at about 130-140 jumps. I was pretty scared of the openings for a while. Took me about 20 jumps to REALLY figure it out. I did about 5-7 H&P's on it before I did a regular jump. It was a major change in the glide. It turned much faster. Other than that I really didn't have a whole lot to get used to. Of course, My "Normal" approach on that PD 190 was anywhere from a 180 to a 270 hook. I could fly the piss out of that canopy and even got some pretty good swoops out of it. If you have REALLY learned to fly that Falcon you shouldn't have any problems. As always....get some of the instructors at your DZ to give you some advice. It turned out great for me...and after about 100 jumps on my Stilletto I am thinking about a 150 Nitron or Cobalt......

[Stacy 0]

I've jumped the heatwave and stiletto in similar sizes (130-135 area) and noticed the same things as above. HW seemed to have a MUCH flatter glide, i was amazed at how a normal set up for me landed me beyond my usual target. was not expecting that at all. good flare, pretty responsive. didn't feel as responsive (HW) as my jedei, but comparable to a stiletto. overall teh heatwave felt "softer" than a stiletto IMHO. i'd jump either, no major quirks either way. have two teammates that swear by PISA.

[rking12 0]

I have two Heatwave 150s. Both my son's have Heatwave 150s. Needless to say we really like these canopies. I load mine fairly heavily at a little over 1.7 to one. They turn and dive hard. The controls are very smooth, they do require a little more input but it makes the canopy feel very solid and not twitchy. The toggle pressure is not hard at all. I have a freind with a Vengence 150 that flew my Heatwave and he said it dove harder and longer than his Vengence.

I sent both of mine off to Joe Bennett in Monroe and let him put the H-Mod on them. All I can say is WOW! This mod really works! The most wonderful openings I have ever had (I have about 250 jumps on a Spectre) on heading and smooth, turns and dives harder than ever, swoops better and still has tons of flair. It made it much higher performance with no bad side affects that I can find. Even with the cost of the Mod this is a reasonably priced canopy that performs! My son got one a little larger than he knew he would want when he got used to it and just plans on sending it in for the Mod when he is ready for some more performance. Cheap way to downsize...

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

I sent both of mine off to Joe Bennett in Monroe and let him put the H-Mod on them. All I can say is WOW! This mod really works! Cheap way to downsize...

What is an H-mod, I've heard of it a few times and basically only know that it gives better performance.. What is done to the canopy, and what changes in flying/opening characteristics are usually attained?

--
Hook high, flare on time

[PhreeZone 20]

Basically.. from all the info I've got on the mod is they chop up the nose of the canopy and adjust the placement of the A lines and move them back just a little bit. This makes the canopy dive steeper and longer. Openings, at least on the Cobalts are the same. From one account the H-Mod Cobalt is kinda a steping stone to the Comp Cobalt

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[rking12 0]

It is a very simple mod on the Heatwave. He does not make any trim adjustments. He sews some small triangles of fabric on the nose that partially close off the nose cells and make the front look more like a crossbraced (best way I can describe it) canopy. It reduces the size of the nose openings and reduces drag creating the higher performance.

If you are interested you really should talk to Joe. He is a great guy and will help you understand the process. To the best of my knowledge the only canopies he does this too are Heatwaves, Alphas and Cobalts at this time.