bsoder 0 #1 October 9, 2003 I did my AFF I jump on Sunday, can't wait to go again. :) My wife got me into this, she is a couple jumps ahead of me, so I have to catch up. :) Question - what is a good wing loading ratio range for someone just starting out, typically? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 October 9, 2003 Welcome to the sky, and to the forums! What wingloading is right for you depends on a number of different things. Your instructors are your best resource for helping you figure out what wingloading will be best for your ability and location. When I'm asked this question by someone I don't know I always recommend staying at or below 1.0 pounds exit weight per sq ft of canopy size. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #3 October 9, 2003 I'm in Phoenix, so the altitude is fairly low. I'm a pretty big guy, about 270 w/o gear, so I'm guestimating my exit weight at mabye 310 or so? 315? somewhere around there anyway. The parachute I used for my first jump was a Navigator 280, so I guess my loading would be somewhere around 1.1:1. Happen to know what size a Manta 2-H canopy would be? My wife's AFF jumps have been on that particular parachute, but she's a LOT smaller than I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #4 October 9, 2003 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #5 October 13, 2003 Thanks :) Hopefully I'll get my wife in here soon. :) Turns out the canopy I used was a Nav 260, not a 280. Did my AFF II jump yesterday. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #6 October 13, 2003 QuoteTurns out the canopy I used was a Nav 260 And you're 270 body weight? Where you jumping? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #7 October 13, 2003 Coolidge, which is at I think about 1000 ft above sea level, roughly. That would make a difference, I'd guess... The landings don't seem too rough, at least I haven't come down hard yet, but I've only done two jumps. Second one was a little harder than the first, but that was primarily due to the fact that I couldn't hear my chest-strap radio (bad ears, going to get an ear bud before the next one) and I landed at 90 degrees to the wind, started my "final" about 200 feet too low, couldn't get that last turn to head into the wind (and really didn't want to try, from what I've been reading low altitude turns are where people get hurt the most, seems like.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 October 13, 2003 Here (scroll down to the bottom of the page) is what the manufacturer of that canopy thinks it should be loaded at. Note that the weights on the chart are exit weights, not body weight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #9 October 13, 2003 Any idea whether those numbers are at sea level, or what? I know that ground altitude and temperature would have some effect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #10 October 13, 2003 Sea level. Do you know what harness/container system you're jumping? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #11 October 13, 2003 I believe it's a Javelin, but i'm not 100% sure on that. The container isn't specified in my logbook. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #12 October 17, 2003 wingloading..... 1.0 ..... You have many many other important learning objectives from the time you gear up, until the time when you deploy...on which to concentrate.. You need a safe, sizable main canopy,, which even though it's big,, should give you decent performance with your suspended weight....Maybe you won't have the drive and speed of the higher performance canopies,,, but that would be a distraction (and safety concern as well...) at this point... A "slower" main requires that you properly learn your canopy control techniques...in order to arrive at the landing area on each jump... What we do under canopy @ 2,000 feet,,,i.e. which direction we are facing, assessment of the accuracy of the spot, speed of flight,,,assessment of winds,,,,will determine our landing accuracy... remember,,, we can't start thinking about "now where should I land" ???,,, when we get to 1000 feet. It starts when the slider comes down. So there may be nothing wrong with a canopy which challenges you to be diligent... I hope that you have a big airplane from which to skydive .. have fun p.s. you are officially now,,, no longer a beginner. you have BEGUN!!!!!! jmy skydive softly, skydive often, skydive with friends Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #13 October 17, 2003 Quote Yeah, my wife is cool. Quote wingloading..... 1.0 ..... So there may be nothing wrong with a canopy which challenges you to be diligent... Yeah... I'm not concerned with performance at this point, I just don't want to get hurt. I'm being careful not to turn low, and pay attention to my flaring, I am afraid of flaring too early and getting slammed down, so I think I've actually been flaring a bit late. Obviously I need to go practice more. Quote I hope that you have a big airplane from which to skydive .. have fun p.s. you are officially now,,, no longer a beginner. you have BEGUN!!!!!! jmy skydive softly, skydive often, skydive with friends It's a Porter. Gets the job done, someday I want to ride in that King Air I've heard about tho. :) Hopefully going to do a few more this weekend, I want to get to my solos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
