AFF/PFF Canopy Size

[Bazza 0]

I was wondering what the maximum weight instructors would consider reasonable to put an AFF or PFF student out under a 210 sp ft. canopy? What other factors or conditions (dz altitude, wind speed, etc.) might factor into a decision to allow or not a student to use that size canopy for this aspect of training?
Thanks in advance.

[Squeak 17]

What size is the reserve?

if its the same size or smaller I'd load for the reserve up to about 0.9- 1.0

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Another question would be what KIND of 210 square foot canopy? A zero-P Navigator in either the 200 or 220 size would handle a tremendous amount more weight safely than some worn out 210 square foot seven cell. What exactly do you have to work with?

[Bazza 0]

It would be a new zero-p 9 cell (a pilot?)

[Reginald 0]

maybe a better question is how much do you weigh and why are you asking?

"We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP

[Bazza 0]

Perhaps you are under the assumption I will be jumping the canopy. Since I'm not, my weight is not relevent.
One can see why I'm asking by re-reading my original post (to get opinions).

[Remster 30]

Also, is this the 1st PFF jump, the 3rd? the 10th?

Remster

[Reginald 0]

Quote

Perhaps you are under the assumption I will be jumping the canopy. Since I'm not, my weight is not relevent.
One can see why I'm asking by re-reading my original post (to get opinions).

Unfortunately the best answers to your question will be more questions, as you have not provided enough information for anyone to give much in the way of a meaningful direct answer.

As you can see some very qualified people have only asked “probing” questions to try and get enough information out of you to provide a meaningful answer. No one has provided a meaningful answer, per se.

So help us help you by giving us enough information to actually help you. Here are a short list of questions people have already asked or will ask.

How many jumps does the student have? The answer is different for 1 jump or 10.

If the student has more than 1 jump what were the prior sizes of canopies and type he or she jumped?

How was the students’ canopy control on the prior jumps, if any?

What kind of main? A square or an elliptical? A ZP or an F111? The answer you seek is different for each type of canopy.

What kind of reserve and what size? This may be more important than the main.

How was the student in the first jump course? Were they the star of the class or the dunce? I guarantee when I’m choosing a canopy for a student that was in a first jump course I taught this enters into my mind.

What is the elevation of the airport?

What is the temperature?

What is the students physically conditioning? Are they out of shape or a model of physical conditioning?

What is the size of the landing area? Is it a large open area or a small area surrounded by forests or man-eating alligators?

What are the winds at the time of the jump, both the ground winds and the uppers at canopy altitude?

I’m getting tired of typing but you can see that this very partial list shows that your question is not answerable in and of itself other than with more questions. So if you would like a direct answer to your question instead of more questions in return it would be helpful if you could give us the full story…

Blue Skies,
Ron (the well dressed one…not the angry tunnel coach)

"We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP

[Bazza 0]

Okay. I had foreseen a more theoretical thread with points spread around at what may or may not be done.
Let's set up a hypothetical situation.

The student has done a couple of tandems and has done one AFF or PFF (for those north of the 49th) jump. The person weighs 170 pounds and has average athletic ability. The dz elevation, say, is 2000 feet.
Now, would any instructors allow him to jump a new 210 sq. ft. zero-p 9 cell? If yes, why? If no, then why not?

[Reginald 0]

With one jump "solo" I'd have him on a 280 or maybe a 260. 170+25 for gear is 195 out the door. A 210 is way to small for a second solo jump. An elevation of 2,000 factors against using a 210 also.

In short no way I’d have this person on a 210.

"We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

We here at Raeford have PD Navigator student mains. We keep them in sizes 200,220,240, 260, and we have/had a 280 we could use. We routinely put out 170 pound guys under 240's. We have also put out a few people that size under the 220's, but you must realize that we are at nearly sea level (240 feet?), use good radios, and have a really nice, flat landing area.

When I put together my own AFF-student-training rig it will probably have a 240 in it.

[Remster 30]

Quote

The student has done a couple of tandems and has done one AFF or PFF (for those north of the 49th) jump. The person weighs 170 pounds and has average athletic ability. The dz elevation, say, is 2000 feet.
Now, would any instructors allow him to jump a new 210 sq. ft. zero-p 9 cell? If yes, why? If no, then why not?

I wouldnt. In fact, For someone at +/- 200 lbs out the door, I wouldnt put them on that canopy at all during PFF.

Remster

[obelixtim 150]

Nah no way....forget it.....

Is the 170lbs the body weight or the exit weight?....don't forget to add the weight of the rig....

Canopy too small and too fast, jumper too inexperienced, elevation too high......

No need to take a risk..

Don't you have a bigger canopy?....

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....