Rolling the nose -- does it matter?

[totalwreck 0]

I am just learning to pack and am faced with having to reconcile the different packing styles and advice given by the experienced jumpers at my DZ. One feature that seems to differ among these folks is whether they roll the nose of their canopy: some feel that it doesn’t really matter (i.e., the force of the windstream makes the effects of such subtleties in packing nonexistent), while others swear by it. So, my question is twofold: 1) How do you folks weigh in on this topic? and 2) does rolling the nose matter more for a ZP canopy than for an F-111 canopy?
Thanks.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Generally, in my experience (over 21 years in the sport) I have found that rolling the nose will make a canopy open slower than if you leave it straight. This, whether you are PRO packing, stack packing, roll packing, or any other "flat" pack. Conversely, I have found that Psycho packing will make for a softer opening even if you leave the nose straight.
Bottom line here is that some people prefer a more "positive" opening, while others (like me) like a TON of snivel.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[bhale 0]

Does rolling the nose increase the probability of off heading openings?

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Off heading? Not really in my experience. PRO or Psycho packing gives yo the greatest chance of a dead-on straight opening and whether the canopy ends up flying straight is more a product of it's overall opening characteristic than what you do with the nose. I generally put one roll in the nose just for shits and grins ( my neck will not tollerate hard openings ) even though my canopy already opens very softly.
Any form of flat packing will generally result in at least a 90 degree off-heading opening just because that is the way you put it in the bag, but it's no big deal.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[AggieDave 6]

When I was jumping a Sabre, the only way I found to have that canopy open the way I like it (read: lots of snivel, nice sweet opening), was to roll the snot out of the nose and some on the tail. Never had any problems with off heading openings, but then again, I only put about 20 jumps or so on it. With a Hornet I did the same thing for about 50 jumps or so and had schweet openings, on heading too. A human cannonball, I rise above it all
Up higher then a trapeze, I can fly

[polarbear 1]

My experience has been that rolling the nose increases snivel time. My old canopy would search around, hunting for a heading during the snivel when I rolled 4 cells on each side in. It did seem to increase the frequency of off-heading openings.
I started rolling three cells in on each side, and leaving the middle three cells open. It seemd to give a good balance of snivel and heading stability.
Ultimately, it depends on a lot of things. I think you just have to try it and see what happens.

[Tee 0]

As mentioned, there are certain canopies, such as the Sabre, that have a habit of opening very quickly and can really spank you. Rolling the nose is a great technique for the Sabre to make sure you have consistent soft openings. The Spectre, on the other hand, is generally a slow opening canopy so there usually isn't a need to roll the nose.
Tee

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[flyingferret 0]

Ditto to that. I roll 4 cells on each side, tuck them in the center cell and also roll my tail at least 3 or 4 turns. I like a slow opening, and I jump a sabre 210. I have had arguments about how you cannot roll a Sabre. Well to each his own, but I have had nothing but bad luck with opening, unless I roll. However, do not do this on a subterminal jump....you will be watching it for a while malachi

[TEB6363 0]

Also, it does depend on the canopy. I jump a Monarch. Precision recommends that I roll the nose on my Monarch while using the Psyco pack. However, they recommend that the nose is left open for most other canopies.
When you get right down to it, the final decision depends on how YOU like the openings. You just try different things until you find the conditions you like.
:::OK, Canopy is Open, No Traffic Around, .. Why are these "Extra" Lines Draping Down??, Damn!

[PhreeZone 20]

Putting anything in the center cell stresses the cell's seams on opening and can lead to premature wear and tear on the canopy.
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[Tee 0]

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However, do not do this on a subterminal jump....you will be watching it for a while

ROFLMAO! I learnt that the hard way. It was a particularly windy day so we decided to do a cross-country jump from 10,500. I exited facing the wind, pulled...nothing...nothing...now my body is turning downwind...still belly-to-earth, I see my canopy out in front of me fluttering. Soon enough the slider came sliding down and I prepare myself for the spanking that lay ahead. After swinging back under canopy, we made it 13 miles that day!
tee

[hobbes4star 0]

i jump a spectra 150 and a rolled nose makes for a very nice opening but a long snivel. i find if i roll the 2 cells on the sides of the center makes perfect on heading openings, but this was after about 50jumps with different pack jobs. so play around and see what is best for you
why jump when you can fly

[flyingferret 0]

Really? though that kinda makes sense. Anyone else have more info on this?
Malachi

[Dumpster 0]

I jump a spectre 150 also and don't do anything special with the pack job at all- and have nothing but nice openings with it- (Unless I do something like deploying with a low shoulder or something-) I may try psychopacking it but only for ease of packing- (So I can get on the next load quicker-)

[lazerq3 0]

I know when i was jumping a PD 170 I rolled the nose liek 9 times TIGHT to get that thing to open soft but now with a hornet 150 I just stuff the nose in the center cell and get nice Loong snivels!!
jason

[AggieDave 6]

A Spectre opens sweet no matter what you do to it, just about. This is one of the few canopies that I don't roll the nose and I have nothing but schweet openings. If I rolled a Spectre like I rolled Sabres, I'd probably snivel in...
A human cannonball, I rise above it all
Up higher then a trapeze, I can fly

[Kris 0]

I rolled 4&4 on my Sabre 210 and stuffed them in the center cell. I also psycho-packed it and the combo made for great openings.
On my Stiletto I just tuck back four cells on each side and expose the center cell. For as slow as my Stiletto opens, I really don't want to see what would happen if I rolled the nose. Kris

[freeflir29 0]

I have found on my Stilletto that it doesn't seem to matter. What seems to matter is how neatly I get the tail flaked and how straight I keep the pack job. I have jumped it both rolled and not rolled and I can't tell the difference. It definately "searches" less when the nose isn't rolled.
"It's all about the BOOBIES!"

[Jussi 0]

On my stiletto 120 that i had, i tried rolling the nose on three occasions, and i had fast openings on them all, so i didn´t roll the nose after that and enjoyed the usual Stiletto openings...

[Rdutch 0]

I do a lot of consecutive jumps filming teams so I have a lot of times to play around with my packing styles. I have tried everything double wrapping rubber bands single wrapping rubber bands folding the nose flaking the outside and the inside. I have found the best way to get my stilletto to open is to not mess with it. just Flake and put it in the bag. But my velocity thats a different story every canopy deserves different treatment try packing it the same way five times in a row the same way and then try something new maybe log what you did and how it opened. Then you will come to what your canopy likes done
Ray
Hook low Flare late