Bigger Canopies vs. weight

[huka551 0]

If you weigh 210 lbs., and have an exit weight of 235 lbs, and jump with a 240 sq ft canopy, does it still fly with the same as if you were 160 lbs., with an exit weight of 185 lbs.? A 240 is a fairly slow docile canopy for someone who is 160 lbs, but is it still slow and docile when the weight is increased?

Muff Brother 3723

[mdrejhon 8]

Both you and me are low jump timers, so take a grain of salt here.

This is a misconception by many new jumpers like us - a Sabre 150 loaded at 150lbs doesn't behave the same as a Sabre 190 loaded at 190lbs. And a docile canopy can become more aggressive as you load it more heavily. I've learned quite a bit about this over time with talking and reading and instruction taught to me, and have plenty to learn.

Expert jumpers will provide more insight, or even correct me.

[ryoder 1,590]

http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/wingload.pdf

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[kelpdiver 2]

going from 185 to 235: glide slope would remain the same, but speed would increase substantially. But it's still less than 1:1 and over 200- for a lot of people that would qualify as slow and docile.

Are you thinking about sharing a rig between two people, 50lbs apart?

[huka551 0]

Not at all, it was just a curious question about the behavior of a canopy that is relatively big, when the wingloading is increased due to more weight.

Muff Brother 3723

[wmw999 2,587]

Doesn't scale exactly. The article that ryoder posted gives a lot of details, but one piece is that the smaller the canopy, the shorter the lines, therefore the more you pitch out etc. when you turn. Which leads to changes in the airfoil's position in the air.

So it's not at all unreasonable for a lighter person to have a lighter wingloading than a heavier person, because there are different considerations.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kelpdiver 2]

Some of you misread the question.

It's not is a 175 at 1:1 the same as a 240 at 1:1.

It's 185lbs or 235lbs on the same 240.