pd silhouette for first canopy?

[jrmrangers 0]

Im doing my aff at the moment and have the money put aside to start assembling a rig. Ive done the search and read the reveiws but im looking for some fresh input. Theres a silhouette 230 in the classified(230 would put me just under 1:1) and i like what ive read. Of course ill discuss this with my rigger before i make any purchases, any input is welcomed though! Thanx and Blue Skies!

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[likestojump 3]

Quote

Im doing my aff at the moment and have the money put aside to start assembling a rig. Ive done the search and read the reveiws but im looking for some fresh input. Theres a silhouette 230 in the classified(230 would put me just under 1:1) and i like what ive read. Of course ill discuss this with my rigger before i make any purchases, any input is welcomed though! Thanx and Blue Skies!

Silhouette is a great beginner canopy. It flies and flares well, and packs like a charm.

when measuring your WL please remember to take into account the weight of the gear you will be wearing (30+ lbs)

[jrmrangers 0]

Thanks likes, i actually did factor in gear weight. i go between 190 and 200 on average so i figured a 230 was about the right choice. Does the Silhouette pack smaller like the Pulse does? Thats also part of my consideration since my container would be that much more versatile down the road.

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[NWFlyer 2]

Quote

Thanks likes, i actually did factor in gear weight. i go between 190 and 200 on average so i figured a 230 was about the right choice. Does the Silhouette pack smaller like the Pulse does? Thats also part of my consideration since my container would be that much more versatile down the road.

No, it packs "true to size." The reason the Pulse packs smaller is that its bottom skin is Optimum Reserve fabric, which has a smaller pack volume; the Silhouette's bottom skin is regular F-111, which does not.

I think looking at the classifieds now should be one of those things you do for information only - get a sense of what's available and at what prices; however (and I think you recognize this) please hold off on buying something until you're well into your student program (or even after you get your license). Save up now so that you have cash on hand to take advantage of the good deals when you're ready to buy, but know that there are good deals coming up on a regular basis and you'll be best served by waiting a while to get to know your instructors, your riggers, and local dealers, all of whom can help you make a good choice for your first set of gear and who can help you evaluate the available used gear.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[dgw 8]

The Silhouette is a great canopy. I've jumped a Sabre 2, a Safire 2, a Stilleto, and the usual student type canopies. It's not quite as good, performance-wise, as the Sabre 2 or the Safire 2, but it is not far off (in my view), and it is a cinch to pack. I am surprised I don't see more of them about. I think that they are great canopies :-)

[riggerrob 643]

Yes, Silhouette is a fine canopy for junior jumpers ... as long as you keep the wing-loading less than one pound per square foot.

Just yesterday I repacked a rig - containing a Silhouette 190 - for a guy who graduated at the end of last summer. He wants to do a few more jumps on the rental Skymaster 230s before trying his new rig. Yesterday I observed him landing a Skymaster 230 and gave him a couple of tips on how to improve his flare.

[billvon 3,107]

>Yes, Silhouette is a fine canopy for junior jumpers ... as long as you keep
>the wing-loading less than one pound per square foot.

Agreed. And when the jumper has more experience, it can be loaded up moderately and still fly well. We have a Silhouette 150 that I load at about 1.5 to 1 - still flies and lands great.

[wildcard451 0]

My first canopy after getting a license was a Sil 210 @ 1.18. I loved that canopy. Almost impossible to flare incorrectly (to all you that wanna be a bitch and say something, save your breath, you know what I mean).

Overall an excellent beginner canopy imho. Great flare, excellent openings, and packs like a dream.

[Deisel 38]

Somewhere around my 50 jump mark I bought a 190 loaded at about 1.1. I still jump the same canopy 3 years later and have just started to think about downsizing. It's a great canopy that will challenge you to fly it rather than being flown by it. But like others have already mentioned, you should probably wait a bit longer before deciding.

D

The brave may not live forever, but the timid never live at all.

[Scrumpot 1]

At one of the DZ's I regularly instruct - all the student/rental gear has either "standard" PD's or Silhouttes. Whenever I am afforded a choice between comparable sizes, and can select either-or, I will almost always by preference - (for the students I actually like that is - - - - J/K) opt for the Silhouette.

Just another anecdotal voice of feedback for you is all. As others have already stated, just in of itself - The Silhouette is a fine 1st canopy selection, keeping in mind of course as always, appropriately matched wingloading considerations to your experience level (which it seems like you have).

Blue Skies,
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[jrmrangers 0]

Thanks everyone for the great input. I dont know that ill wind up buying this canopy but if its still in the classifieds when im ready its something i can bounce of my rigger and instructor. Now if i can just get the weather to cooperate so i can get some jumping done, maybe ill get to buy a rig someday!!!

Wait , I pull what first?