How does one sink a canopy in?

[TALONSKY 0]

OK, I realize by this point in my skydiving career and progression in canopies that I really should know the answer to this question. However, How does one sink a canopy in?
Thanks
Kirk

[Ron 10]

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However, How does one sink a canopy in?

sinking a canopy in is really just using the brakes to slow your forward speed while maintaining the same angle of decent.

If you use more brakes, and have the correct type of wing, you can ride the edge of the stall so you are comming straight down. You can even make a canopy fly backwards.

Practice high enough to cutaway...Some canopies react very quickly near the stall.

Locate a spot on the ground and add brakes slowly to 1/4 and hold it. Notice if you are going to pass that spot, or land infront of it. Then go to 1/2 brakes and notice what happens. At around 1/2 (depending on your canopy) you will notice that you have shortened you landing point. Got to 3/4 brakes (be very careful about the stall) And you should see that it has moved even closer towards you.

Now it is VERY important that you know that it is not safe to land a small canopy like this...The landing can be very hard. Prepare to PLF.

For best results talk to a PRO rated jumper on your DZ.

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[KariLB 0]

After 200 jumps in this sport, I have finally found out how to sink my canopy in using my brakes, just like what was explained. I had a horrible time with accuracy (I always made it back to the DZ but landed in an area further out to avoid all the people) and now by using those techniques I can land safely in the area that I want to.

Don't forget to practice up high! I've never collapsed my canopy by sinking it in but I am fully aware of what could happen and constantly re-evaluate what's happening during my approach.

Blue skies
Kari

[andy2 0]

in anybody's opinion that wishes to chime in what do you think is a better way to bleed off altitude if it looks like youre going to overshoot the target? S turns or half-3/4 brakes? I guess it makes a difference in the canopy youre flying but is there a general rule of thumb I can follow? I like S turns as it tends to build up a little more speed than brakes obviously, and the landing feels a little more "firm" after doing a few S turns to get my spot on. Comments?

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Ron 10]

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do you think is a better way to bleed off altitude if it looks
like youre going to overshoot the target? S turns or half-3/4 brakes?

In truth it is more about what altitude you are at. And what kind of area you are in, and traffic.

If you are high enough, I would do S-turns.
Lower I would do flat turns.
On final, I would use brakes.

Be aware that on a lot of new canopies 1/4 brakes can EXTEND the glide (Which is opposite of what you want.)

Also put in all controls smooth. And when you first put in the brakes it is common for it to appear that you will overshoot...The canopy pitches up with the flare, and the spot will move towards you....However once the canopy settles it will settle back to a sharper decent than the original.

Once again most modern canopies do not like to be landed in brakes...They need forward speed to flare. So about 100 feet or so SLOWLY let the toggles to the keepers. (Unless you are going to hit something then prepare to PLF a hard landing.)

Again.....Get with a PRO rated jumper on your DZ to learn the neato tricks.

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[b1jercat 0]

How about front risers ?
blues
jerry

[andy2 0]

well that works good, but at 40 jumps I only really feel comfortable giving very small front riser inputs on final. But probably great for when I get another hundred jumps under my belt.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[ManBird 0]

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How about front risers?

I agree. I use double fronts to sink it in more. I'm working on removing a bad habit of overshooting or planing out too high, and double fronts seem to be the best form of correction.

A great piece of advice that I got from hookitt has been working very well for me:

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As you begin your turns, think in 90 degree turns rather than the whole turn.

As you approach the 90 degree point, you can either add more power or reduce the power dependeing on how high you are.

If you are too high, Stay at the 90 degree mark with both fronts down then finish the last 90.

If you are low, reduce power by easing up more with the right hand and just finish with the one riser.

Thinking in the 90 degrees and varying your power input is how to dial in surfs.

"¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯"

Click

[TALONSKY 0]

Thanks Ron
I have heard people use the term sink their canopy in and have always wondered what they meant.
Kirk

[Ron 10]

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How about front risers ?

Front risers can be used to dive more.....However it also builds speed which when you want to stop means EXTENDING your glide to bleed it off.

It would be best to do small turns or brakes insted of front risers to prevent an over shoot.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[DF7ZS 0]

I think Rod explaint it VERY well ! I just wanted to stress the fact a little more that you may get VERY VERY hard landings even with little breaks. I would try this only on emergency cases with a high loaded canopy.

Last week I did one of these "stupid" landings myself with a crossfire 109 loaded at 1.85. I made a slight correction due to traffic very low and had to flare right away, without getting to full glide again. I wassurpriesed by the very hard impact. Nothing happend exept some blue/black color still on my left leg.

Stay save !


Helmut

[Ron 10]

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sinking a canopy in is really just using the brakes to slow your forward speed while maintaining the same angle
of decent.

I ment RATE not Angle

sinking a canopy in is really just using the brakes to slow your forward speed while maintaining the same RATE
of decent.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[andy2 0]

I thought with less foward speed you would have less lift and therefore descend faster than in full flight.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Ron 10]

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I thought with less foward speed you would have less lift and therefore descend faster than in full flight.

Depends on the canopy. And how much brakes you use, how long you hold it. The longer you hold a canopy in deep brakes you will speed up your decent.

But when you first hit the brakes you kill forward speed and GAIN lift. Then you will slowly loose the lift from the forward speed.

Some accuracy canopies have vents that allow the canopy to get air preasure from the air comming in from the bottom skin.

Different types..And even brands of the same type of canopy will react different to the use of brakes to sink the canopy..So practice up high BEFORE you need to use it to land in a bad place.

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334