piisfish 140 #1 November 18, 2004 my question on ground launch slopes. What is normally used ? a slope for bladerunning/playing with the ground or a slope for working on HP landings ? are some slopes where you can practice both used anywhere ?? edited to add : I'd love to be able to do both...scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #2 November 22, 2004 I just came off of a four day Ground Launching camp with Jim Slaton (which was totally awesome ... Ground Launching absolutely rocks!!!). I'm not saying that you can't find a site where you can launch, end up being high enough and have a decent enough landing area to do a high performance landings. Shit that is my goal to find such a site. But I'd be willing to guess that they are few are far between. We did some cool shit this weekend once we proved ourselves on the training hills (including some blade running). But one must factor in many things before one makes a ground launch. And doing front riser approaches just isn't the norm (even for pioneers like Jim). Ground Launching is more about the rears than it is the fronts. Think of Ground Launching as launching yourself from some moutain exit point and flying close to the ground, down the slope(s), possibly blade running if you've got something to use as gates. Or doing ridge soaring and seeing how long you can stay a float. Ground Launching rocks!!! Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanopyPiloting 0 #3 November 24, 2004 There are many different types of flying when it comes to Ground Launching. We typically perform "Bladerunning" where we set up a course of airblades down a slope to fly through. At the GLC we set up bladerunning courses on everything from the training slope (350ft) to slopes over 1600ft high. We also do "Ridge soaring" where we launch from the highest point along a ridgeline and crab down to the bottom. We also do "SOAR" or hovering were more experienced pilots with specialized canopies made for Ground launching ( www.icarusnz.com) can launch froma hilltop in high winds and sustain flight. We have launch sites at the GLC that are over 2,000ft where a pilot can launch, fly straight out and perform a normal 270 for landing but we usually use canopies larger than 100sqft when doing it. If you want more info about ground launching or the GLC you should logon to www.canopypiloting.com ...Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #4 November 24, 2004 Quotespecialized canopies made for Ground launching ( www.icarusnz.com) can launch froma hilltop in high winds and sustain flight. grosso modo are these canopies like faster paragliders ?? The website doesn't show much... just a titlescissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #5 November 24, 2004 Quotegrosso modo are these canopies like faster paragliders ?? These canopies resemble skydiving canopies, not paragliders. In fact to the untrained eye, you couldn't tell the difference. But they are made from a different stronger, more expensive fabric than ZP and F-111, they have a hybrid nose (open on the center cells, closed on the end cells) and are cross-braced throughout to add rigidity to the entire canopy. But most of the ones which we will be buying once they are released to the public are larger than your typical high performance skydiving canopy. In fact I will be buying likely the 150 to start with and I jump a 119 skydiving canopy. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #6 November 24, 2004 QuoteQuotegrosso modo are these canopies like faster paragliders ?? These canopies resemble skydiving canopies, not paragliders. In fact to the untrained eye, you couldn't tell the difference. was asking in flight domain... apparently sink rate will be lower than with a skydiving canopy. Will the canopy be able to sustain a terminal opening ???scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #7 November 24, 2004 Quoteapparently sink rate will be lower than with a skydiving canopy. From what we have seen so far, yes. It launches easier than a skydiving canopy and it glides better. QuoteWill the canopy be able to sustain a terminal opening??? My understanding is ... NO!!! Because it is designed to inflate faster in the Ground Launching environment (with the different fabric), it would be foolish and very painful to try to jump these canopies (even clear and pulls) from aircraft. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
