What size reserve for my first rig

[ngawang01 0]

I'm shopping around for my first rig. I got my eyes on a reflex Elite with a PD190 and a PDR 143. Does a small reserve like that would be a bad choice for a first rig?

"Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I". pf

[GravityGirl 0]

If you are buying a 190 sq ft main parachute you should consider a reserve of the same or similar size.

A 143 is a good three sizes smaller than your main.

When you need to call on your reserve, you will be opening it lower than you are used to, your heart rate will be higher than normal and your decision time will be reduced.

Not the time to decide if you are ready for a 143.

There are a lot of used gear choices. Please don't compromise safety for what seems to be a good deal.

Inappropriate skydiving equipment is NEVER a good deal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[skybytch 273]

Which way are you better off - discovering during your first reserve ride that a) you could have safely gone smaller on your reserve or b) that you should have gone bigger?

I'd suggest going no smaller in square footage than your body weight in pounds for your first reserve, and larger is better.

[tr027 0]

Quote

I'm shopping around for my first rig. I got my eyes on a reflex Elite with a PD190 and a PDR 143. Does a small reserve like that would be a bad choice for a first rig?

Yes.

"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957

[GQ_jumper 4]

ask the manufacturer of the container how BIG of a reserve can fit in the container with the main you are getting and get that one. The biggest resreve possible!!!!

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

[billvon 3,111]

> I got my eyes on a reflex Elite . . .

You mean Racer Elite, right? The Reflex is no longer in production.

>with a PD190 and a PDR 143. Does a small reserve like that would be
>a bad choice for a first rig?

If you are comfortable jumping and landing a Triathalon 150, then the PD143 might be a good choice. If you have never jumped anything that small, then it would be a pretty bad choice. Do not get a reserve smaller than the smallest main you are comfortable landing.

[councilman24 37]

Another way of saying all of the above.

First, pick the appropriate reserve size and desired brand. Even your body weight in sq. ft. may be too small as this will be greater than 1:1 wing loading (cloths, rig, main, instruments added weight) on a kind of canopy you've never jumped.

Then pick the main canopy appropriate for your experience, size, etc.

Then see if you can get a rig that will hold them. If not, go up in main, not down in reserve.

Get advice for all from several sources.

And don't buy the absolute smallest container that a reserve is supposed to fit in. Reserves vary in bulk +/- 10%. Containers vary in size. This is just manufacturing variation. So you absolute limit reserve may actually NOT fit. Not to mention you'll make your rigger mad.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[ngawang01 0]

Is a Jav5 with a fury 220 reserve and a PD230 a better choice?

"Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I". pf

[councilman24 37]

Quote

Is a Jav5 with a fury 220 reserve and a PD230 a better choice?

We can't tell you that. We don't know your size, what you've jumped, whether your ahead or behind the curve on canopy control, etc., etc. You need to speak to your instructors.

These two choices you've mentioned are VERY different. The same person who's a new skydiver shouldn't be considering both. You need some local expert advice!!

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[ngawang01 0]

My instructor told me to look around for a Jav with a PD190.

"Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I". pf

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Quote

Is a Jav5 with a fury 220 reserve and a PD230 a better choice?

Yes.

[gemini 0]

Another reason to match the main and reserve canopies is that if you ever have both canopies out and flying at the same time the risk of a downplane seems to be minimized. If the canopies fly at radically different speeds due to size differential, a downplane is more likely to occur.

Blue skies,

Jim

[ngawang01 0]

That's it! I'm convinced. Big canopy, big reserve. I got it!

Thanks you all for the advice.

"Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I". pf

[sundevil777 102]

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My instructor told me to look around for a Jav with a PD190.

There is no reason to be so restrictive in setting the 'image' of the right rig for you.

edit - your avatar is disturbing. Maybe we'd want to help you more if you didn't come off as so nasty.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[mdrejhon 8]

Quote

My instructor told me to look around for a Jav with a PD190.

Did he specifically limit you to F111 fabric PD190 or allow you to look for ZP fabric (PD Sabre 190).

The PD Sabre 190, arguably, is a lot more fun to fly than the older PD190.

You might want to clarify with your instructor though.