Pulling the slider down..

[rhino 0]

I have heard many different things about pulling the slider down, flattening the canopy, making a more efficient wing. Does anyone REALLY know that a flatter wing is a more efficient wing? Aren't the big cross country canopies oval shaped wings? Does anyone REALLY know the answer to this question? Rhino. Blue Skies!!
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

There's already a post about pulling the slider down. Pulling the slider down won't really have much effect apart from decreasing the amount of drag (and stopping the flapping noise). If you loosen the chest strap, that will allow the risers to seperate a little bit more, allowing the canopy to flatten out (so it isn't as curved). This gives you more performance as the wing is more efficient.
Throw me to the sky becuase I know I'm coming back - Red Hot Chili Peppers

[apoil 0]

Here's an idea. Take a slider sized piece of zp and wave it through the air.
The drag is significant.
At any wingloading above 1.2 it's really important to collapse the slider, mainly because it flaps around so the induced drag is in all different directions. Not something you really want on landings.

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

I think you should take a look at this article on the Icarus web site - it expalins everything about collapsing the slider and loosening the chest strap.
Icarus Maintenance
It's bounce that hurts, so grab the grass !!

[rhino 0]

I'm not talking about collapsing the slider. I am talking about pulling it down behind your head..
Rhino
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!

[freeflyguy 0]

What is talked about in the icarus bulletin explains it really well.
As far as pulling it behind your head. If it is above your head, it will likely restrict the spread of the risers. If it is below your head, and the chest strap is loosened, you can actually feel the path from the lines, through the risers to your hips. If I don't pull it down, like when I can't because of having to release the brakes early, I don't like the ride, if feels less stable, and a bit more wobbley. More like you are hanging from the parachute than sitting in the harness. That in addtion to affecting the lift and all of those other flight characteristics that are hard to feel, but easier for some technition to measure.
Once you get used to it, you won't like to fly with the slider up.

[rhino 0]

I'll get some velcro put on my jumpsuit so I can tie it down. I have a single string collapsable slider so it has a tendancy to want to creep back up. I've never loosened the chest strap though.. I'll have to try that.. Thanks, Rhino
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!

[riggerrob 643]

Pulling the slider down behind your head allows the canopy to spread a bit more.
This configuration is more efficient because the canopy is wasting less lift spreading the end cells, and more lift is pointed straight up.

[freeflir29 0]

I can't get mine all the way behind my head but I do like to get it down onto the risers so it isn't wearing my lines at the connector links.
"and I'm not easily impressed...Ooohh look...a blue car!" -Homer Simpson

[PhreeZone 20]

Also as a side note, your first time doing this or loosening your chest strap after opening get used to the new flare of the canopy. I did the chest strap last weekend after not doing it on that canopy before and forgot ot practice the flaring. Lets just say it was interesting landing.....surfed it in on the knees because the canopy reacted differently during the flare and continued to sink at the old sweet spot.