Pilot demo

[billvon 2,991]

I put a few jumps on the Aerodyne Pilot last weekend. (The Pilot is their new intermediate canopy, intended for the same market the Safire was.) It was a 150; that was the smallest they had. At that size I'm loading it around 1.3 to 1. Packing it was the usual new-slippery-ZP ordeal. They seem to have gotten away from their previous tacky fabric.

The openings were amazing. 300-400 foot openings, and you'd just feel a steady drag until you were flying along with the slider down, exactly on heading. It seems to 'hunt' a lot less than the Safire during opening, and it somehow seems more solid during opening than the Sabre2. (not sure I can quantify that feeling.)

Under canopy it flew about like a Safire. About the same toggle pressure, stall point, etc as a Safire. Front riser turns required a lot of input for little result - I had to get the front riser down to my chest to get a decent rate turn going, although it dropped me pretty fast. It came out of the dive almost immediately when i dropped the riser, but then this isn't a swooping canopy to begin with.

The flare was more Icarus like than PD like. Gradual onset, but then a powerful flare all the way to the end.

Anyway, I like this canopy a lot - it just felt solid, from opening to flare. It might be a good option for someone trying to decide between a Sabre2 and a Safire.

[usskydiver 0]

Sounds really nice.

I guess my only reservation would be in the area of customer service after the sale. With all the mergers, etc. it's nice to be confident that the company that made your canopy today will be there tomorrow if you have a problem.

Just my thoughts.

Tim

[DYEVOUT 0]

Quote

(The Pilot is their new intermediate canopy, intended for the same market the Safire was.)

Bill

I am looking for a first rig, and have checked out 2 used Safires. The Icarus web page says that (lightly loaded) these are suitable for a first canopy. I notice that these wings have a very tapered leading edge. Isn't this more of a high-performance feature?

I am currently flying a (rented) Sabre 230, and enjoying it very much. I want my first canopy to be docile and forgiving, not "twitchy", and the size must start with a "2". In your opinion, should I stick with a (more square) Sabre for canopy No. 1?

----------------=8^)----------------------
"I think that was the wrong tennis court."

[fundgh 0]

Quote

"Get it on, Get in, Get up, Get out, Get off, Get it open, Get down - repeat as necessary."

Get it out, Get it on, Get it off, Go to Bed!

...FUN FOR ALL!

[Clownburner 0]

I've actually had an outstanding experience with Aerodyne support over the last month or two, and that was support for an old (1995) used Triathlon. They were very responsive, and performed a bunch of upgrades for free, and redid the steering lines to the '4.0' configuration for a nominal cost and had the canopy on it's way to me the next day. Don't know how you could ask for more than that!

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[AggieDave 6]

How did it compare to a Hornet? (I'm not sure if you've flown a Hornet before).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[MrHixxx 0]

I've had excellent support from Aerodyne in the last couple weeks. They repaired and recertified a Tempo that had a stitch snagged from a cornfield landing. I was talking to the same people with the same positive vibe I have always received from them...

-Hixxx

death,as men call him, ends what they call men
-but beauty is more now than dying’s when

[dgskydive 0]

____________________________________________________________I had to get the front riser down to my chest to
get a decent rate turn going, although it dropped me pretty fast.
__________________________________________________________

I know we talked about this on Sunday. I feel it is worth mentioning that at a higher wing loading it does a lot better. I load the 150 at about 1.6 or so. It seems pretty even with the Sabre 2 at the wing loading. We will be getting a smaller size soon. We can compare notes again then.
Bill is right this is a very good canopy! I have posted a review in the gear section. As soon as Sangrio ok's it take a look. What did you think of the slider? I really like the oversized tabs on it. Seems a lot easier to get it collpased and keep it collapsed.

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

I'm sure Ian will see this as well. Aerodyne has been around for a while. I have owned a Triathlon since they first came out. They have always had and I hope will continue to have great customer service.

Dom

[dgskydive 0]

If the canopy that you are jumping is a SABRE 2, then you will be very comfortable with the Pilot, plus it is cheaper. A new Sabre 2 goes for about 1462.50 for a 210. A Pilot sells for about 1274.15 for a 220. How many jumps fo you have and how much do you way?

Dom

[billvon 2,991]

>The Icarus web page says that (lightly loaded) these are suitable for
> a first canopy. I notice that these wings have a very tapered leading
> edge. Isn't this more of a high-performance feature?

Sorta, yeah. It's not really a good first canopy unless you're renting larger Sabre2's before you decide to buy your first canopy - or unless you're at a place that has a canopy coaching program, and you can start that right away. Going from a Manta to even a larger Safire 189 is a big step.

>should I stick with a (more square) Sabre for canopy No. 1?

Sure. One advantage of that is that the Sabre1's are getting cheaper since everyone's switching to the Sabre2's. Assuming you can fly the Sabre1 230 well, I think you'd be fine with a Sabre1 210 - especially if you like your current one. Avoid Sabres older than about 1995, since they had some serious hard-opening problems.

[billvon 2,991]

>What did you think of the slider? I really like the oversized tabs on it.

Didn't notice too much since they are very similar to the tabs on my Safire. They seemed to work fine.

(different poster)
>Aerodyne has been around for a while. I have owned a Triathlon
> since they first came out. They have always had and I hope will
> continue to have great customer service.

I had the same experience. Bill Hazlett always gave me great support. The company's been restructured, and I believe Bill is no longer there. Hopefully they will continue that sort of service.

[usskydiver 0]

My post was not meant as a slam on Aerodyne as I know they make a fine parachute. When I lived in Europe and was a sub-dealer for SkyKat, I sold many of their canopies (mostly Triathlons). No one ever came back to me and I never had to send one back for any reason.

In reading some of the replies, I wish I knew their capabilities when my wife's Hornet landed in a barbed wire fence a couple of years ago and I was wondering where to get the work done (thanks again, Norman).

I would also like to thank Ian for his e-mail to me in regards to my post. He was very honest and professional.

[Jimbo 0]

Hey Bill, thanks for the review. If you get the chance to jump the Vision I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[ibellis 0]

Quote

"Hey Bill, thanks for the review. If you get the chance to jump the Vision I'd love to hear your thoughts on that."

Our first batch of Visions are shipping this coming week, so those of you that placed your orders early and have been anxiously waiting, should start to see them arrive in the next 5-7 days.

Enjoy.

Blue skies,

Ian Bellis
President
Aerodyne Research Corp.

[nicolesser 0]

hi

Have you jumped Pilots canopies ? im interesting in buying a Safire 2 or a Pilot from aerodyne.

thanks

nicolas

Orbital Flyer