Adding cross-ports to a canopy

[rsibbald 0]

Does anyone have any experience of modifying a Vertigo Dragon canopy with extra cross-ports to promote a faster and more stable pressurisation sequence?

I have been told that this improves the opening characteristics of the canopy a substantial amount. I contacted Vertigo who had not heard of the mod, but could see no reason not to go ahead and do it.

However, I'm a little loathe to ask my rigger to dig out her hot knife without knowing the exact specifications of a successfully modified canopy. I don't want my one and only piece of F111 to literally blow up on opening!



Sorry if this seems like a naive/stupid question to any of the more experienced BASE riggers out there!

[Treejumps 0]

Your best bet is to sell that canopy (or use as a back up) and get a new one. The Dragon was a notoriously lame base canopy. It was nothing more than a reserve (I beleive it was a PD, but it could have been somehting else) with a different name sewn on it. You will find that almost nobody jumps them anymore. They performed very poorly, and what you are considering doing is the equivelent of someone in the eighties trying to port a Unit or Pegasus to get it to funciton in an enviroment it was not designed for.

In short, buy a new base canopy. Your bones will thank you later.

Cya.

[rsibbald 0]

Fair comment, thanks for the honesty.

I'm probably going to order a brand new setup soon - was only really looking at the idea as something to fill the interim period. (400ft+ Spans).

[nicknitro71 0]

This is from John LeBlanc

Quote

The slow rear riser response was one reason for the creation of the Dragon, which was a canopy we used to build for Vertigo. It was PD seven cell trimmed differently, like a Lightning. Over the years, base jumpers kept finding lower objects acceptable, and the slow cell inflation (slider down) of the PD seven cell based canopies were not adequate for this environment. Therefore production of the Dragon was stopped.

So the Dragon is not just a PD reserve with a different tag.

I have put additional crossports on a Raven IV.

Also I have seen Dragon with vents to address the slow infation problem. Look into that.

Memento Audere Semper

903

[leroydb 0]

Could you add the cross ports, and use reliably for a water canopy?

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[nicknitro71 0]

Ravens have two sets of crossports at the normal locations A-B B-C lines. Many CRW and BASE canopies also have C-D cross ports, i.e. triple set. I don't see any ill consequences by adding additional crossports on a canopy that will be used for BASE even thought not specifically designed for it.

It might open harder if used in the skydiving enviroment but I think it's a legit mod for someone who does not want to invest in a BASE specific canopy.

Don't get me wrong I would not used a Raven IV out of a 200' object (actually not even my Ace) but for 500+ stuff I don't see why not.

Memento Audere Semper

903

[rsibbald 0]

Thanks, just the info I was after :)

[skreamer 1]

Hi Ross

I understand that you have very little or no BASE experience, I'd be interested to know who sold you that canopy and what your mentor's opinion/advice was. If you don't want to reply here a PM would be fine.

The UK is not the place to be test jumping a modified outdated canopy - lets be honest if you get away with jumping it off spans abroad you are going to want to use it at home.

That canopy might turn out to be a very expensive bargain.

Will

[Treejumps 0]

*** It was PD seven cell trimmed differently, like a Lightning.

Even worse, it was just a PD 7 cell trimmed diferently, like a lightning. Any way you slice it, it was never a good performer, and the base community as a whole does not reccomend them.

[Treejumps 0]

Hi Nick,

I think that you are giving out very poor advice to a new jumper. The things you are describing have been sworn off for almost 10 years by the general base jumping community. Yes, you can get by with what you described, but it is a poor substitute for real base gear which is the only thing that is reccomended.

What you as an experienced jumper jumps is your business, but please don't suggest that it is considered acceptable gear in the modern base era. It is junk, it has hurt and killed people, and it is HIGHLY unadvisable.

To ansewr Leroy, yes, it would be a good water canopy, but I wouild not suggest huming it down on something like that. Very inconsistant openings.

[nicknitro71 0]

Mark I did not intend to suggest anything.

You said it was just a PD reserve and in fact it was not. I did not suggest it is the "shit" when it comes to BASE canopies.

As for crossports I mentioned the Raven IV not the Dragon. Ravens are decent BASE canopies for something in the order of 500' or more. Again I posted that.

I also said that some Dragons went through the vent mod with decent results.

That's all.

Memento Audere Semper

903

[rsibbald 0]

Thanks to everyone that posted on this topic.

The canopy has now been relegated to being used as a CRW canopy at the DZ only.

I've sent a couple of PMs as well....

[Treejumps 0]

Point taken.