Flight characteristics of Triathalon, coming off using student rigs, what do I need to understand?

[darrinh 0]

I have 55 jumps and am putting together my first rig. Been using student gear for now. Which have Navigators in them. My rig may have same size Triathalon. Before I jump it this spring, I want to learn the characteristics. My understanding is that it will have a flatter trajectory as it is a bit of a hybrid and can be used for crew. What difference in flying normal landing patterns (no thoughts ever of swooping here) will I notice?

Thoughts? Don't wanna make a mistake here and end up with broken femurs or worse.

Thanks for your input

[BIGUN 1,483]

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Don't wanna make a mistake here and end up with broken femurs or worse.

I write this with all sincerity... The best way to prevent broken bones is with some good one-on-one instruction at your DZ from the Instructors who can show you; rather than those who tell you over the internet. .

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[councilman24 37]

Opening,.stall.and flare characteristics are things you should discuss.with people.that.have jumped both. That is not necessarily your instructors.

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

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

You are a little bit confused. There are a couple of different Tri models. Normal, CRW and Hybrid (can be used as a normal or a CRW canopy). Big difference is the way the lines are set up, IIRC.

I have a bunch of jumps on a normal 190 Tri, loaded at 1:1. I had good experience with it and liked it a lot.
It's considered a "good all around" canopy, which means it does a lot of stuff, without doing any thing in particular very well.

It was, for me, a good first canopy. Not too aggressive, but I could crank in a pretty good front riser turn if I leaned on it. I never tried to swoop it, and it probably wouldn't have been too good for that. It seemed to have a fairly short recovery arc. By that, I mean that it would come out of an induced dive fairly quickly.
The glide was reasonably good, but I really can't compare it to a whole lot of other canopies.
The flare is reportedly a bit less powerful than other canopies, but I never had a problem landing it. I've heard it said that "If you can flare and land a Tri well, then you can land anything."

It was an easy to handle, forgiving canopy in my experience. I did a couple of stupid things down low with it, and it let me get away with them - One low turn had me pointed at the ground a lot steeper than I should have been, but yanking down the other side (flaring while in the turn) got me out of it. It was dumb and I don't recommend doing it. But I got away with it that one time (I learned my lesson and didn't do that again).

To make it clear: This is only one person's experience, with one particular Tri. But I liked mine and was very happy with it.

Usual disclaimers: Not an expert, didn't even sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. Consult your own instructors before making any decisions. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while under a Triathlon.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[faulknerwn 38]

An identical sized tri to a navigator will come down steeper most likely - they come down closer to a 45 degree angle than the flatter angle of the navigator. Maybe flare a tad higher than the navigator - but that's purely ideal flares for each. You may not be having perfect flares on either at this point. The triathlon is a very easy canopy to learn to be accurate with.

I own 7 or so triathlons and use them as my work canopies. They open soft and fly and land well. I can get back from long distances with them easily. They do also work well for crw. And crw rocks!!!! :)

[BIGUN 1,483]

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some good one-on-one instruction at your DZ from the Instructors who can show you; rather than those who tell you over the internet.

Well, err, uh,

Unless, of course... Wendy shows up.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[riggerrob 643]

"***... It's considered a "good all around" canopy, which means it does a lot of stuff, without doing any thing in particular very well. ..."

....................................................................................

Shhhhhh!
Don't tell the canopy formation (CRew) competitors ..... because some of them have won waaaaay more than their share of gold medals while hanging under Triathlons.
Shhhhhh!

[mjosparky 4]

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I own 7 or so triathlons and use them as my work canopies.

Greedy little lady…..I used to have a wife like that.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals