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Thermite911045

Another annoying first rig question

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Hello, this is my first post here, and I know this is a question people get tired of responding to but I want to ask anyway. I'm out of AFF and post training (about 2 jumps away from the illustious A licence) and am really trying to find a first good rig to start with. To answer the some questions first I weigh about 190 pounds without gear and am about 5'10. I have talked with my instructors at length about this and have their opinions on what I am capable of handling and what I am NOT capable of :)
Thanks

-Ian

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http://www.sunpath.com/sizchart.htm

That's the sizing chart. According to the chart a J4 doesn't fit anything larger then a PDr-176, although a J4.5 does.

A rigger who is familar with Javs and their sizes may have some real-world experience that differs with the chart, but I'm not that guy, I'm not even a rigger (I can track down web info, thoughB|).
--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

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When it comes to buying your first rig, I would definately go with used gear. First of all you are going to crash and burn on some landings. No need to tear up a new custom rig... Second of all, you are probably going to down size after a few hundred jumps. Your not going to get the return on your investment if you buy a new rig and then sell it a short time later. As far as rig choices, there are quite a few quality rigs out there, but there are also some that you may have a hard time reselling, if you know what I mean. So if your going to buy something talk to your rigger first.

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to me the BIG concern is the reserve it's a PD 176 made in 1991 it has had 3 rides (2 of them in a different container). I'm not sure I'm too comfortable with a smaller reserve, and esp. one that old.



Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the age and number of jumps on that reserve - mine is about the same vintage with the same number of rides. imho you are smart to be thinking about the size though.

I know stuffing a 193 in a J4 can be done, but it does depend on where you are in the world and the skill level of your local rigger(s). Humidity (or lack thereof) in the air affects how big a canopy packs up - generally more humid air equals a smaller pack volume, drier air equals a larger pack volume. Talk to your local rigger(s) and see if they are okay with packing a 193 into a J4 - since they jump where you do and are the ones who will be packing it, they can answer that question better than anyone here can.

Something you might also consider - contact Anibel at PD and ask if she can send you a 193R demo (these are set up like mains). Put a few jumps on it in good conditions and see how your landings are. If you are real comfortable with that, send it back and ask if she can send you a 176R. Put a jump or two on that - in perfect conditions. If after jumping it you're comfortable with the idea of landing that size reserve in less than perfect conditions then you'd likely be okay with it as your reserve. If you aren't, get yourself a 193.

That is a very good price for that rig, btw.

edit to change name of contact at PD... Kolla isn't the demo queen anymore!:o

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Thanks for the advice! I'm really thinking about trying to find a ravenII or super RavenII since they have a smaller pack volume than the PD's do. A 218 would fit nicely as it is approved by sunpath for the J4. Although a couple people I have talked to think i would be "OK" on the 176, at my level i do not feel comfortable at all with the idea of having a drastically smaller reserve than main as simply put a reserve deployment will be lower than a normal deployment and quite possibly depending on conditions mandate an off airport landing. Given that I would much rather not have to be worrying about getting used to a smaller canopy that is different from anything I have ever flown and at the same time quickly having to land the thing without plowing myself into the ground oh yeah, and very likey given my DZ have to land in a very small area a 176 is simply not safe for me. Any opinions on the raven over the PD? or should I even worry about the differences?

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Any opinions on the raven over the PD? or should I even worry about the differences?



You're 190 body weight, right? So about 210 out the door. A Raven II (218 sq ft) should work fine for you; the only problems I know about with those reserves (not reinforced like more modern designs, sometimes have a built in turn, can stall on flare at higher wingloadings) won't be major problems at that light of a wingloading.

And you can find 'em used for some real good prices too.

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You might want to look at the thread about actual size of a PD-176R. PD reserves are measured a different way to most other companies', and it turns out a 176 is actually about 188sq. ft.

This is just info from this site, however, so take it with a grain of salt. It's just one more thing you might like to consider.

Nick
---------------------------
"I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

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This is just info from this site, however, so take it with a grain of salt. It's just one more thing you might like to consider.



I'm not sure if you're trying to imply that a smaller sized reserve from PD, since they are actually "larger" would be a solution.

I hope not.[:/]
--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

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You might want to look at the thread about actual size of a PD-176R. PD reserves are measured a different way to most other companies', and it turns out a 176 is actually about 188sq. ft.



The sabre 190 is measured in the same way as the 176. So the 176 is a 176. If you are not comfortable you are not comfortable.

Don't take chances with your reserve.

Kris.

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I'm thinking the biggest concern should be the fact that you normally fly a 210, are going to purchase a 190 (never flown before??) and would potentially have a 176 reserve. I wouldn't want to be under a reserve first time I needed it if it were both not ZP AND smaller than the main you normally will be used to.

PcCoder.net

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Tha main on the rig is a sabre 210, my instructors have said they beleve I would be fine under a 190 but the 210 does make me feel a bit more comfortable, I'm definitely going to go to a bigger reserve both on account of the age of this one and most importantly size, thank you everyone for your comments they were most helpful!

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