does speed equal more distance?

[superstu 0]

if you have more speed will you go farther in your swoop?
I'm doing 180's and the idea came to me that if I start higher and do my front riser approach slower, smoother, and steeper, i should gain more speed there by lengthing my swoop. in contrast to starting a little lower and "whipping" the canopy around (still using front risers). would this assumption be correct?
I would say that on a stiletto 135 (1.4ish WL)i'm starting my 180 right around 500', if i go to 600' and do the same approach just slower and smoother, what would i see different in performance?

seperate question:
why do most competitors do 270's and not more or less when talking about their approach?

Slip Stream Air Sports
Do not go softly, do not go quietly, never back down

[quade 4]

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if you have more speed will you go farther in your swoop?

The short answer is yes -- assuming you don't biff in.

The real answer has to do with balancing the potetial and kinetic energy versus the parasitic and induced drag over the course.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[twnsnd 1]

Considering that I will do a carving 180 from 500 feet in Colorado on an FX104, I think you would just be using more airspace by taking your turn up higher. I think you will find it quite challenging to eat up 600 feet in a 180 on a stiletto 135.

-We are the Swoophaters. We have travelled back in time to hate on your swoops.-

[ianmdrennan 2]

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seperate question:
why do most competitors do 270's and not more or less when talking about their approach?

I asked the same question at the SKNE Red bull comp. I was doing 180's and having a difficult time being as consistant as I was at my home dz (visual references and such). The answer I got was altitude control.

There are a lot of factors that come into play when entering a course. The 270 doesn't really give you any more speed than a well executed 180, but the 180 leaves little room for altitude adjustment (too high or low) instead you're pretty much going to be high or low if you want to make it through the gate.
With the 270 you break the turn down into 90 markers and speed up/slow down your carve based on your altitude at each marker. The 270 requires a lot of practise to be "on the line". It's a lot harder than a 180 and requires a different approach. Something I'm still working on, but getting better at.

I have noticed a SIGNIFICANT improvement in my ability to be consistant in altitude since switching though.

Hope that gives you some direction.

Blue skies
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team

[ianmdrennan 2]

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I'm doing 180's and the idea came to me that if I start higher and do my front riser approach slower, smoother, and steeper, i should gain more speed there by lengthing my swoop. in contrast to starting a little lower and "whipping" the canopy around (still using front risers). would this assumption be correct?
I would say that on a stiletto 135 (1.4ish WL)i'm starting my 180 right around 500', if i go to 600' and do the same approach just slower and smoother, what would i see different in performance?

Slower is definately better and if done correctly (you can do it too flat) will eat up more altitude than a whipping turn. The goal is to distort your wing as little as possible (efficient) while achieving a dive to gather speed. Whipping it too much causes massive distortion and doesn't generate nearly as much speed as a good carving turn. Of course too long a carve with too little dive will give you just as poor results. It's hard to find that middle ground, but when you do, you'll see a significant increase in your distance.

Be safe.

Blue skies
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team

[freeflyguy 0]

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seperate question:
why do most competitors do 270's and not more or less when talking about their approach?

It really is a much better turn, for a number of reasons.

One, is you, or a swooper, with a 270, can fly a regular downwind, base, final approach. The final portion of that is the hook. That is good, because of a couple of things. One, is everybody else in the pattern is flying the same direction as you. Also, if you recognize you are low before you turn, abort the 270, and do a 90 the other way. You land in the same place, and dont break bones. Another reason why it is good, is that if on your downwind or base leg, you recognize you are low, or high, you can cut the corner, or extend, to place yourself in the right place to hook.

I don't much care for 180's, if you hadn't noticed. Fine for "B" plan, but not for your "A" plan.

Oh, the above did come from one of the bad ass swoopers on "tour", not my idea, although I agree.

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bzzzz

[ianmdrennan 2]

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One, is you, or a swooper, with a 270, can fly a regular downwind, base, final approach. The final portion of that is the hook.

I totally agree. Just watch that you don't get surprised or caught off guard (i.e collision) by traffic behind you.

Blue skies
Ian

Performance Designs Factory Team