thechad 0 #1 September 26, 2003 I currently have 22 jumps under my belt and was wondering what type of canopy/ size should I be starting to look at and fly. I am wanting to fly a few different canopies before I start looking into buying gear. I have flown PD 210 (not sure of the model) up until last jump. The last jump I made was under a Triathalon 160 which was very fun. I am 5' 8' and about 150lbsThe Chad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #2 September 26, 2003 the pd 210 is made by performance designs (same guys that do the sabre, stiletto and others), hence the 'pd'. as far as what is right for you, the general answer to that question is, ask your instructors, they know you and your abilities better than anyone here. keeping in mind that i am also relatively new to the sport (47 jumps) sabre, sabre2, triathalon, spectre or lotus are all recommended (at appropriate wingloadings) for newer jumpers. at 150 pounds + gear, a 170 would probably be a minimum size to start with. "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 September 26, 2003 Chad, Come back to Aggieland and jump our Sabre2s. We have a 190 and a 170, so you start with a wingloading under 1:1 to get a feel for the canopy then try the 170 which would be about 1.1:1 for ya. That could give you an idea of how the Sabre2 flies. Personally I think the Sabre2 is quite possibly the best "new license jumper" canopy on the market, since its something that can be flown very docilly, but will really perform if it is pushed. So it gives a person a canopy that will be hard to become bored with for a while. Never mind that they open nice (atleast the 6 or so different Sabre2s I've jumped did/do) and they have PD's great customer service backing you.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thechad 0 #4 September 26, 2003 Thanks for the response. Before flying that canopy I did speak with one of my instructors and he was confident that I had the ability to fly that canopy safely.The Chad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aylett2004 0 #5 September 26, 2003 I don't have much experience, but I was faced with this same decision not long ago, so I'll put in my $.02. I have made 220+ jumps in 9 months, so I'm pretty current for a weekend only guy. At 70 jumps I bought a Spectre 150 loaded at 1.35 and I love it for several reasons. First - small pack volume, so my rig is pretty low profile for a beginner (also, with 7-cells fewer lines and everything, it's a little simpler to learn good clean packing on). Second, it opens smooth and on heading pretty much every time. Third, it was really docile when I first started flying it, but now that I've got some basic sense of ground picture I can actually push it a little bit (I had a 100 foot swoop last weekend that really made me grin). Downsides - really really short recovery arc, and heavy riser pressure, so if you seriously want to swoop it it's hard. But, as a beginner this isn't really an issue anyway. My plan is to put another 150 or so jumps on it till I'm really maxing it out, every time, and in the right spot and then downsize to a crossfire2. Whatever you choose - keep listening to people and always remember to know and respect your own skill level (or in my case, lack of ). Live fast, Aylett Note: I spent 50 jumps borrowing and renting 190s and 170s before I bought my 150, and I had the benefit of some incredible canopy pilots who were helping me in my progression. Don’t go straight from a student 260 (or whatever) without some coaching from people who really know what they’re doing (not me). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colbrodie 0 #6 September 27, 2003 Definitely take AggieDave up on his offer to demo those Sabre2's. I've put about 250-300 jumps on mine (135 wingloaded at about 1.2:1) and I love it. There are folks are Raeford who get incredible swoops on their Sabre2's, and there are folks like me who just want to fly their canopy like they're a grandma driving a big Cadillac! Everyone I know with a Sabre2 LOVES it - from people with a few 100 jumps to people with many, many thousands of jumps! Blue skies, Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azdirttorpedo 0 #7 September 27, 2003 You mentioned the Lotus as a prospective choice, if you can get your hands on a demo definitely jump on it. Brian Germain's airlocked canopies are amazing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #8 September 28, 2003 Quotebut will really perform if it is pushed. always remember that line when you fly the sabre 2. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #9 September 30, 2003 Quotealways remember that line when you fly the sabre 2. What is that suppose to mean? Just confused with your statement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #10 September 30, 2003 A friend got hurt with a sabre 2 cause of a bad judgment and the wingload was 1:1. Its a canopy that "will really perform if it is pushed.", just like aggidave said. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #11 September 30, 2003 Well, anyone can get hurt on any canopy no matter what the wingloading is. Bad judgement or not. I have a Sabre 2 150 that was loaded at around 1.5 : 1. I never had to push it's limits to get what I wanted. I actually just put in an order for a S2 135. It is an awesome canopy. Good at low wingloadings for students and great at higher wingloadings for HP landings. Human error doesn't mean the canopy is shitty. John D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #12 September 30, 2003 QuoteHuman error doesn't mean the canopy is shitty I never recall calling the canopy shitty, in fact I like that canopy, I jumped it and it was very fun to play with. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #13 September 30, 2003 You just made the canopy sound like it isn't good unless you push it to its limits. I just don't feel that way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #14 September 30, 2003 You must of really understand me very wrong. I was trying to say to be careful with the canopy nothing more nothing less. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #15 September 30, 2003 I got what you said. But you should be careful with any parachute. The Sabre 2 is not a bad canopy and you won't get any surprises when you jump one. You made it seem like you have to be really careful when you jump a S2 because it will do abnormal things. That's not right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #16 September 30, 2003 QuoteYou made it seem... I didn't get that impression at all. He's posted again to clear up his meaning for anyone who was confused. Issue closed. If you want to discuss it further, please take it to PM's. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
