Merrick 0 #1 July 13, 2001 A friend of mine asked me if I could help her find out ANYTHING about the AR-11. I've heard the name in passing before, but that's about it. So, if you guys/gals have any info on this canopy I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!"If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #2 July 13, 2001 Hi Merrick,The AR-11 was manufactured by Aerodyne Research a few years ago. As the name suggests, it was an 11-cell, with a constant aspect ratio (not elliptical). The idea behind this was that if 7-cell was better than 5-cell, 9-cell was better than7-cell, then the next step in canopy design would be 11-cell. It was ZP & while pack volume (& price) was up a bit there was nothing "radical" about either it's construction or performance.Once open, it performed like a slightly souped up Sabre - glide angle was better & turns were sharper. Toggle input was a bit lighter. I say "Once Open" because, as Aerodyne later said... "This canopy displayed "Quirky" opening characteristics(!?)" I took this to be Diplo-speak for "prone to mals"! Then again, I wonder how it would respond to a Psycho or Wolmari pack. Perhaps it was a case of the canopy being in advance of the packing methods available (like the Sabre not taking kindly to side packing which was common at the time of it's introduction).Anyway, Aerodyne ceased production when it introduced the Triathlon. Perhaps this was a shame... perhaps in these days of canopies becoming increasingly specialised for certain uses the 11-cell (or 13, 15, 17-cell) may be THE answer for RW canopies where nimble handling and good glide angle are the important factors.Mike D10270. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirils 1 #3 July 14, 2001 I have been jumping an AR-11 this year. I had my doubts about performance when I purchased it. I called AR and they said 50% had quirky openings with the rest being great performers. So if you got a good one, you would be a happy camper. I have had no malfunctions with sweet on-heading openings, toggle pressure light, great flare. Front riser usage will lead to some great surfs. When I talked to AR they said they are getting them back all the time for re-lines. A good AR-11 can be quite a buy.Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
magikclover 0 #4 July 14, 2001 Thanks guys, I had no idea what it was.magikclover Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #5 July 15, 2001 Word police report.miked used the wrong term when he referred to "constant aspect ratio." We suspect that he meant "constant chord," which means all the ribs are the same size.As for "quirky" openings on AR-11s ... They have a reputation for hard openings, slightly harder than normal for canopies of that vintage, but too hard for freefall photographers with heavy cameras. My buddy Tom Classen suffered a painful neck injury from an AR-11 opening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikefarmer 0 #6 July 17, 2001 Ladies and Gentlemen....Merrick wins the Chute 'n' Shoot competition with his AR-11/AR-15 combo!!(crowd goes wild)MikeMike's Sky World Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merrick 0 #7 July 18, 2001 BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA.... You're a riot Missy!"If words were wisdom, I'd be talkin' even more.." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
