Aerial Main Canopy

[Dannost 0]

Sorry to keep bugging you guys but I'm a newbie piecing together a rig. Can any of you tell me about the "Aerial" main made by glidepath. I understand it was a lot like a sabre. The one I'm looking at has 300 jumps but it's a ZP. Dan

ISAIAH 40:31

[skybytch 273]

The Ariel (sp?) was made by Glide Path. It's a zp rectangular nine cell. The one I saw opened really hard until the owner put a pocket on the slider. It didn't seem to land as well as a Sabre did - I heard the owner say that a number of times.

With 300 jumps on it, I'd suggest having the line trim checked before finalizing the purchase price.

[cheneyneel 0]

Hey bro listen to me..
If it is a canopy that has been made to be like the Sabre dont get it.. Get the real thing.. Buy a Sabre they are great for first canopies they have been making them for years.. I had two starting out..
If you are worried about price the Sabres have been around for ever and are a dime a dozen and probably can be found for the same price and jump numbers that you are looking at..
If you have money to spend find a used Sabre2 but dont get a canopy that is going to limit you learning ability and after 20 jumps you will wish you bought a sabre..cheers

[slotperfect 7]

I put four jumps on an Ariel 170 about 11 years ago. It opened very hard. The design was not around for very long, unlike the Sabre which has been around about 13 years.

Sabres themselves have a reputation for hard openings now and again, but I know several people who own them that say they have never had a problem and attribute it to being deliberate when they pack.

Hope this helps.

Arrive Safely

John

[kskold 0]

Bought a used Aerial 170 for my wife in '94. Early '95 I had a hard opening on it which ripped second to end cell nose to tail, chop. Called GlidePath and had lower panel replaced. 12 jumps latter on the canopy the REPAIR ripped nose to tail, chop. Evidently there was a tear problem which latter models had span wise reinforcement at attachment points to counter. They sent a larger slider and hard openings were cured. Still have the canopy but it doesn't get jumped much. Wife not jumping after 2 kids were born but doesn't want to give it up. I still jump it a couple times a year when the hot rods aren't packed (and for god sakes it's PINK!!). Flies like a Sabre and has a good flair. I wouldn't hesitate putting my wife back under it if she wants to come back and get current.

[riggerrob 643]

I have been jumping an Ariel 150 on and off for the past year.
There are two reason why I don't jump the Ariel more often. It is packed into my back-up rig without a Cypres, secondly, my other rig has a Diablo 135 and a Cypres and I prefer to wear a Cypres while doing PFF.
This Ariel has never opened hard and it lands better than half the ragged-out Sabre Mk 1s I jump.
The only reason this Ariel has not sold is because Ariels have zero resale value in this market.
Oh well, it looks like I am stuck with a well-behaved Ariel.