cdcollura 5 #1 May 3, 2009 Good day all, I am wondering how much soaring has been attempted for canopies that are NOT intended to be soared (not para-gliding)? On May 2, 2009 in Clewiston, FL I was waiting for a 190 rig I usually jump there to be packed (rental rig). After several loads waiting, it was not ready so I reluctantly (eager to get in the air) tried a huge 340 SQ Foot canopy (I weight in at 185 Lbs)! Jump was normal, until about 3,000 feet where I opened softly. It was late afternoon, with nearly 90 degrees at ground level and lots of thermals off the lake-breeze boundary. You could not mistake the rising air and actually FELT the lift - And decided to USE IT for extra (free) air-time, until my legs got tired! To get to the ground from 3,000 feet took well over 11 minutes (normally, with the 190, I am on the ground in about 2). The data (annotated, from Alti-Track) for two examples, including the 190 data and soaring under the 340 Sq Ft canopy, are below... 190 SF example, no thermals, cool day - http://www.sky-chaser.com/data/misc/can190sf.jpg 340 SF example, thermals, hot spring day - http://www.sky-chaser.com/data/misc/can340sf.jpg Thanks, and wondering if any one else has intentially tried to "soar" large canopies after a great skydive? Blue skies, Chris Collura - C30317 WWW.SKY-CHASER.COMFly High ... Don't "Get High"! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
faulknerwn 38 #2 May 4, 2009 I was a student in Florida many years ago (a bad one - 48 jumps to get off student status!) I jumped the small rig at the time - the 248 - I weighed 110! I'd just float along over the runways for what felt like forever until the people on the radio would holler at me to come down because they needed the rig :-) I loved riding the thermals. I remember being right off student status doing a 2-way with an experienced friend at Deland. I remember getting above the runway and going up - even spiraling I still went up. I was under a 220 on that jump. He was almost finished packing before I managed to land! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lilchief 1 #3 May 4, 2009 hahahaha...nice story! We had 3 SL students under 240's and 260's last easter that hit strong thermals. The first one down came down after 10 minutes, while the last one came down after 25 minutes! I gave them a diploma for nice paraglider skills at our xmas party =D"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci www.lilchief.no Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2shay 0 #4 May 4, 2009 sounds like when I did a solo on tandem to get my rating. I was up there FOREVER! don't try your bullshit with me!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinhawxhurst 0 #5 May 8, 2009 I have never had a low wing loading flight which I could not get down but last week I was doing some mountain flying with a bullet 8m (86ft) loaded at 1.97 in heavy winds and was able to soar stationary for 5 min and climb 100m above the point where I found the lift. Quite fun to go up but a bit scary knowing that a small wing should not be going back up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
