dwing

Maybe a little bit late...but... While waiting for my safire 3 159, I lent an s-fire 169. Both canopies felt pretty good. The openings, especially the snivel were a little bit longer on the s-fire. But both canopies had great openings. I like the openings of the safire 3 more, as they feel more fluent and I neved had a single hard opening. The safire 3 is noticeably faster than the s-fire (which seemed a little steeper to me), while toggle turns and recovery arc are quite similar. (Propably a little bit longer on the safire 3, but that can be related to the the different sizes) The safire 3 has less pressure on the fronts and more pressure on the rears. With both canopies it is no problem getting back to the dz from a long spot. Both have an exceptional flare. The s-fire flares with lesser toggle input, the safire 3 needs more input but flares even on the bottom end and gives you a stand up landing in cross and nil wind

I've flown both on wingloads between 1,3 and 1,4 In my opinion the safire 3 is way more responsive and turns are generally more aggressive, compared to the pilot. The recovery arc is a little bit more longer on the safire 3. In turns the safire 3 looses more height and gets pretty fast, in normal full flight the pilot is faster though. The openings are comparably and on heading if packed well, while the pilot has a slightly lesser snivel and the safire 3 feeling more smooth. I had a long spot with the pilot, and a really really long spot with my safire 3. No problem getting back to the dz with both of the canopies. Propably the safire 3 gets you further, but I cannot really compare it. Both are pretty good canopies, but I prefer the openings and turn from the safire 3 and wouldn't want to go back.