First rig.

[mathieu.godro 0]

Hi, I'm going to work at my DZ all summer and I would like to have some advices for buying my first rig.
I'm 5'7'', 140lbs.
I have done 12 jumps so far and my landings were nearly perfect on each one. I would prefer used gear due to money issues.
I just want some advice on sizes or companies for main, containers and others.
I've looked a bit and my first choice would be, at the moment, a pilot with Icon container and smart reserve, i've been told they are great. I'm gonna talk soon to a rigger but your help would be nice.

[dragon2 2]

There's a whole bunch of threads in here about first rigs, but here's a start:

First, talk to your own instructors. They have seen you fly and know what might work for you.
2nd, what have you been flying upto now. If you can downsize using rental gear, you can buy a smaller canopy then if you do not have that option. You don't want to make big downsizing steps. Without knowing you so this is very general advice: you could set a path down to a 170 sqft canopy you might probably be ok to fly at say 50-75 jumps. NOT right now though. For your first reserve, again talking about you having 50 or more jumps by then, you want a reserve canopy not any smaller than the smallest main you are comfortable with in all situations, and really not any smaller than a 165sqft at your weight.

So all in all, you might be better off waiting until 50-100 jumps before buying a rig, provided you can rent something other than pure student gear in the meantime. If not, you'll have to buy bigger canopies, not a bad idea perse but waiting longer give you more options (you may still choose to jump a bigger size by then though).

As far as canopy types go, you can't really go wrong with any modern reserve, and for main canopies, a pilot, safire 2, sabre 2, fusion, spectre, silhouette, pulse etc would all be fine, it comes down to taste and to availability (2nd hand price) with these canopies but they're all great.

If you're set on a specific container + main + reserve and don't have a big budget you might be looking a long time before finding a rig that fits you and these canopies. If I were you I'd broaden my horizons a bit, but that's just me - and yes I have an icon, have jumped a pilot 124 for 2 seasons and have a ride on my smart 120 but I've also had plenty of good rides on spectre/sabre2/fusion/safire, in other rigs and have jumped other reserves with good results too. with 11 jumps, you can't know what you like in a canopy, yet. Try to rent or borrow a couple of different canopies before buying anuything and see which one you like best before investing in it.

Last, TALK to your OWN instructors

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[Remster 30]

Mathieu: you have some good instructors at Atmosphair... Parle a eux en premier!

Remster

[mathieu.godro 0]

Thanks dragon2, I will definitly try to rent some to try them out!

[mathieu.godro 0]

Merci, je vais essayer d'en parler avec mes instructeurs pac et avec Frankais bientôt. Sais-tu où est-ce que je peux louer des rigs pour essayer, à part ceux d'atmosphair?

[Remster 30]

Ecoute: un rig, c'est fait sur mesure. Alors essayer un rig au hazard, ca va te donner un peu d'info, mais pas tellement. Tu peux toujours demander au autres sauteurs de ton gabarit.

Remster

[mathieu.godro 0]

Merci, je vais en parler avec Frankais parce que la saison passée, j'ai pas remarqué beaucoup de personne qui pesait 135lbs avec ma grandeur. Je vais prendre mon temps pour ma décision, j'ai encore quelques mois..