Cobalt Two Stage Opening

[matttrudeau 0]

Could Skymonkey, or anyone else explain how the two stage opening works on the Cobalt? I guess they claim you can deploy at higher speeds but why would you want to pull at any other position when your entire rig is designed for a belly to earth deployment. I just don't see a need for an intentional high speed deployment. I can see softer openings, but higher speeds doesn't sound right.

[andy2 0]

I thought the two stage deployment was designed so you could pull in a track, giving you the ability to hold the track longer so instead of tracking away from formation, getting into a stable arch position, then pulling, you could track away, away, away, pull right in your track. Or did I miss something there? I still dont understand how the two stage deployment thing works though

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[darkvapor 0]

From Atair's Website

Quote

Cross Porting:
The ribs 4 lines from each side are substantially solid with no cross-ports. What this does combined with several other design variables is to create a distinct staged deployment. The center cells will open first, they do not snivel. Several seconds later the slider will move down and the end cells will inflate.

This isolates the canopy into 3 sections: center, and the two sides. In most canopies, as the center pressurizes, the pressure is also distributed to adjacent cells through cross ports in the ribs. In the Cobalt, there are no cross ports between the center and the sides. Therefore, the center will open and pressurize first, and the sides will take longer to pressurize since they are not assisted.

Quote

entire rig is designed for a belly to earth deployment.

Well, although rigs were originally designed for belly to earth, many people do not spend their skydives belly to earth. The ability to deploy at a faster speed, as claimed by Atair, is a safety issue, mostly in the case of a premature main deployment or accidental deployment head down (documented in recent accidents as well as non-fatal events). Deployment head down can be catastrophic to both equipment and jumper. Since the Cobalt decelerates before it opens completely, it is claimed to be safer.

[sducoach 0]

From the inspection of the canopy it appears that the cross ports are much smaller and fewer than say PD's and, the center cells only had one port forward towards the nose. The canopy did open great and was allot of fun to watch the first time (cool video) as I waited and waited. The porting, or lack of, allowed the center cells to inflate and pressurize first while the three outboard cells inflated much later than "normal" during the opening sequence without the help of the typical cross porting. The toggles were a little slow and heavy compared to the Vengeance and Stiletto's that I fly however, the riser turns were very smooth and light on the loading and provided a great 180 carve with great recovery. Overall a very nice canopy for a "working canopy" where you make allot of jumps per day.
Get a demo and try it out.

Blues,

J.E.

darn spell check........

James 4:8

[freakyflyr11 0]

i have a cobalt and its not about being able to deploy at higher speeds.atair recomends you deploy at higher speeds.as a matter of fact the info i got when i bought the canopy stated you should deploy in a track,and not in a stable arched possition.even still there are alot of problems with there openings.as for a two staged opening it is in my opinion it`s just a nice snivel, when you can get one.other than the openings it is a pretty nice canopy.

[Geoff 0]

Many freefliers don't take the time to slow down to 'normal' belly-to-earth speed before deploying, and the Cobalt's openings cope well in this situation. I've not deployed in any position other than belly-to-earth, but several times I've gone suddenly flat from a stand or head-down, and then deployed immediately. Openings have always been smooth and comfortable.

Geoff