frenchcloud 0 #1 October 12, 2004 i just got a brand new aerodyne pilot 168. i have 3 jumps on it only. the opening is the most amazing i ve ever had. never have i experienced a smoothest opening and on heading! i found that the cells on the extremities took a little long to open though. what surprised me was the break lines length. under canopy i had to pull the toggle all the way down to feel a consequent turn. the extremty of the break lines (those attached to the canopy tail) floated way in the back when the toggles were left free. then i could pull on 8 inches on one of the toggle without feeling a turn at all.then, when i landed i had to roll some of the break lines around my hands to have enough range for a decent flare. i had the lines shortened last week end and jumped it again. the canopy now responds perfectly! has anyone experienced the same thing on that canopy? -------------------------------------------------- The tongue is NOT only a tool for speech! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #2 October 12, 2004 I had the same experience on my Pilot 188. When my Rigger first set up the canopy, There was a mark on the brake lines that seemed to indicate where the Toggles should be attached. I did a couple jumps and then we shortened the Brake lines 3 inches, Did a few Jumps and then shorthened them another 2 inches. All Perfect now. I was told by my DZO if you lightly loading a canopy that opens slowly, it will take a little longer for the end cells to inflate. Again I have the same thing happening with my 188 but it has never been a problem at all. Enjoy that canopy. I love mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #3 October 12, 2004 Who rigged it for you? Sounds like a simple adjustment could fix that. Shorten the lines a bit and see how it performs.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #4 October 12, 2004 On Katie's two 124's we let the brakes OUT a couple of inches to best suit her. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #5 October 12, 2004 What may be the "perfect" setting for one peron may not be so "perfect" for the next guy. Your srms may be longer or shorter or you may have really short risers. Have your rigger shorten them a bit. Just make sure that when you pull the fronts down the canopy doesnt' start to buckle, that means you have them to short.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JYorkster 0 #6 October 12, 2004 I did several demo jumps on a Pilot 132 and experienced exactly what you described. There was no actual input on the canopy until the toggle was almost at my shoulder. I asked the aerodyne reps about it, and they said all other canopies have their brake setting too tight. The slack is intentional to prevent warping the tail of the canopy while you give input to the front risers. While this is a valid concern, I think they overcompensated. Besides, I don't use my front risers nearly as frequently as others. Its a simple problem to resolve by changing the location of your toggles, but I don't think it should be so common. Just my 2 cents, Rock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,107 #7 October 12, 2004 >Its a simple problem to resolve by changing the location of your toggles, >but I don't think it should be so common. I have found it to be quite common, and I prefer manufacturers to leave more slack (rather than less) in brake line settings. In general it's easier to shorten than to lengthen, and it's much easier to land a canopy with too-long brake lines than one with too-short brake lines. Since brake line length are a pretty personal setting, that change a bit with flying style, toggle type and riser construction, they will likely have to be adjusted anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #8 October 13, 2004 I have a Pilot150. I `ve found about 5-7cms slack on my break lines. So I have to pull 5-7cms down to get break lines fasten. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 October 13, 2004 QuoteWho rigged it for you? Sounds like a simple adjustment could fix that. Shorten the lines a bit and see how it performs. A very competent rigger! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #10 October 13, 2004 QuoteA very competent rigger! I'm sure they were.As pointed out in this thread, the "factory settings" on any canopy may not be the right ones for any particular jumper or the specific gear they are using. Trial and error correction will allow for a "dialing in" of the proper settings. I the many canopies I've now owned, only one has had settings from the factory that I found to be acceptable.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frenchcloud 0 #11 October 13, 2004 a very good rigger indeed! and the best dealer in the world too. the most patient and nice. i hope the icon will soon arrive. it s been more than 8 weeks now. i love my pilot. i can t wait for the rest of the rig! thanks again -------------------------------------------------- The tongue is NOT only a tool for speech! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #12 October 13, 2004 No worries. A little bird just told me..... ....PM me for ETA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #13 October 13, 2004 I havea pilot 210 loaded at 1.1 when i first started flyin it i had to get used to the 6-8 inches of slack i had to take out of the lines to get any responsiveness in the canopy, but now that i've really started learning to fly it that little bit of slack does me good when i'm on front risers. and it keeps me from flaring too much on me swoops and stalling. Blue SkiesHistory does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
