Hummusx 0 #1 April 23, 2004 I'd like to get opinions on what the best (safest?) route would be for changing canopies. First let me say I'm talking LONG term plan, as in multiple years/hundreds of jumps. The basic question is does it make more sense to move down in size, and then switch to an elliptical canopy or would it be better to switch to a large elliptical and then downsize from there. Please note in the polls that the arrow '->' means step down not go directly from a 190 to a 120. ____________________________________ It’s like selling a million grills all at the same time…with extended warranties. -Hank Hill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #2 April 23, 2004 What kind of wing loadings are we looking at? Are you including "tapered" designs in the square or elliptical category? JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 April 23, 2004 I basically went Square to Semi-elliptical to elliptical then started downsizing, but that's just how I went about it, it may very well be different for you.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bosveld 0 #4 April 23, 2004 I am by no means an expert, but in my oppinion: Before thinking of downsizing and what to get, when it gets time to buy something new, do demo jumps with lots of different canopies and form your own oppinion based on that and listen to experienced guys. I've done lots of jumps with eliptical canopies, but at this stage in my career, I still feel more comfortable with square canopies, so that's what I jump. I understand eliptical canopies are more responsive, and I saw that when jumping them, so I'll move there when I feel comfortable with it one day. I don't plan my downsizing in years to come already, I'll do that when I get there. But that's just me! Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, will be true! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #5 April 23, 2004 Depends a lot on what you like about a canopy, how current you are, your skill level, what you want from a canopy… etc… Personally, I have stayed on squares all along (Student stuff -> PD 170 -> Sabre 150 -> Sabre 135 -> Spectre 135) and I doubt I will ever go elliptical. Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #6 April 23, 2004 QuotePersonally, I have stayed on squares all along (Student stuff -> PD 170 -> Sabre 150 -> Sabre 135 -> Spectre 135) and I doubt I will ever go elliptical. Your spectre is tapered. It's just to a lesser degree than say a stiletto. I sometimes think the word "elliptical" conjurs images of a dangerous wing. I don't always believe this is the case, but it'd be nice to hear a manufacturers view on this. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lowpullin1 0 #7 April 23, 2004 I went from a Falcon 300 (student gear), to a PD 190, to a Sabre 150, to a heatwave 135, but that is just me. "It's hard to fly with the eagles when you are surrounded by turkeys." My Website Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #8 April 23, 2004 Sorry... should I have said, "I doubt I will ever go fully elliptical". Going from a square 9-cell to a "tapered" 7-cell of the same size, if anything, felt like a small upsize. Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #9 April 23, 2004 No matter what exact path you chose to downsize, the key is to completely master the canopy you are on now before you move ahead. And that doesnt mean just landing where you want to. If that was your only goal, then downsizing wouldn't make any sense. If it is performance you are looking to achieve, then by "mastering" a canopy I mean being proficient on all aspects of that canopy. Front riser turns, rear riser turns, induced speed from front risers, accuracy, flat turns, etc........ Certainly never be in a hurry to downsize just for the sake of jumping something smaller. The only reason to downsize would be if you have become extremely proficient on what you are jumping now and cannot get anymore performance out of it. I would wager to guess that when most people downsize, they didn't even come close to getting all the performance out of what they had. I am guilty of that myself, but it was early on and before I really understood the risks involved. Now I take a very different approach and hopefully with education and knowledge, more and more people will to. Bottom line- Have fun with it and really take your time to learn each canopy. If there is one ounce of you that feels you are not ready to move on... you're not. That's my 2 cents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #10 April 23, 2004 Personal gear downsizing path: Cruiselite XL (245) > Raider (220) > Sabre2 190 "Non-standard" military gear downsizing path: XL Cloud (270) > Cruiselite XL (245) > Startrac II (290) > Startrac I (260) > Falcon 265 > Falcon 235 > Silhouette 230 > Silhouette 210 I'm showing my age! Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #11 April 23, 2004 No worries, I knew exactly what you were getting at. Didn't mean to pick apart your terminology (I notice sometimes we all get wrapped up in the technicalities instead of the real problem) but wanted to point out that "tapered" comes in varying degrees to newer jumpers who read this, and that it isn't necessarily the "big bad evil" it's sometimes made out to be. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #12 April 23, 2004 QuoteI'm showing my age! Maybe (I have no idea how old you are), but your choices have kept you around too. There's definately something to be said for that Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #13 April 23, 2004 sdgregory's great question about the differences in performance in canopy designs deserved its own thread . . . It's now in Gear and Rigging.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
