Kirils 1 #1 April 10, 2002 Can anyone compare the performance and handling of a Space canopy to the Cobalt? Thanks!Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 April 10, 2002 The Space and Alpha were identical and were actually known as "Impulse" when sold directly by Atair overseas. They are outstanding canopies. The stock Cobalt is very similar, but with certain changes which make it handle heavier wingloads better. The non-loaded ribs are different on a Cobalt and the top skin is sewn in 18 different pieces to load those ribs. I owned one of the last Alpha 84's that came to the states and it kicked ass. In my opinion the flight characteristics are nearly identical to a stock Cobalt or a Crossfire, but you might get a tad less bottom end out of it. Jim Slaton, Caven Warren, Joey Costa, myself and a bunch of others used to compete under Alphas, which once again, is the same canopy as the "Space". ChuckMy webpage HERE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kirils 1 #3 April 10, 2002 Thanks Chuck!I am thinking about looking at Cobalt. I have a small amount of experience on the Space, but at that time I was too inexperienced to milk the performance out of it. It was too fast for me (loading 2.0). I'm jumping a Xaos21 now and want a non-tribraced HP backup canopy. I'll put out feelers on a used Alpha or look at the Cobalt. Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #4 April 10, 2002 Not 100 % sure, but...I think the alpha had stronger line attachment points. (2.0-2.2 loadings etc)...and that would be the only difference.A space 135 and an alpha 135 at the same wing loading would be exactly the same.but...... Jim Slaton had a "special" alpha at one point. I believe it was called a "pro blade special" or somehting like that....I have no clue what the difference was, but if you find one it is supposed to be slightly higher performance...maybe ramon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cobaltdan 0 #5 April 10, 2002 alpha and space were identical except for name. the line attachment points were not different.sincerely,dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #6 April 10, 2002 Quotebut...... Jim Slaton had a "special" alpha at one point. I believe it was called a "pro blade special" or somehting like that....I have no clue what the difference was, but if you find one it is supposed to be slightly higher performance...maybe That canopy- there was only one- was called the Alpha Blade 84. It had continuous lines which were splayed out sideways, not front to back, just like the old ParaFlite Evolution. the main had either three or four sets of risers; I think four if I remember correctly (the evolution had three sets). By all acounts, that canopy hauled complete ass, but opened like a bomb. Gunter Worlein ended up with that canopy when Jim started jumping his first Icarus, which he won in a swoop meet. Gunter had it for sale on the old Sky Depot website and I heard someone bought it. Not sure where it eventually ended up. ChuckMy webpage HERE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
