Need advice/opinions on swooping problem.

[LawnDart21 0]

Okay, so here's my question. I am currently jumping a Vengeance 120 loaded about 1.85. I am not an agressive canopy pilot, in that my swooping consists only of 90 degree right riser hook, followed by double fronts. I don't get involved with 180s or 270s, I just try to keep it simple. Anyways, here is my question. Last weekend, I made 4 jumps in zero wind, and had three perfect swoops, about 50 to 60 yards and straight. The last swoop of the day though,I did everything the same as before, yet on my swoop I was side sliding to the right. It wasn't a carve, as the canopy didn't turn, it just slid like it was a crosswind landing, but there was no wind. I assume I might have shifted wieght in th eharness or something, but I am 100 percent focused on symmerty when I land so I don't think I was unsymmetrical. Any thoughts? Any advice?
Funny thing is when I bought the canopy a few months ago, my exit weight was 200, so my wl was like 1.66. I quit smoking and now my exit weight is 225 at a wl of 1.85. My girlfriend thinks I'm gaining weight on pupose to increase my wingloading.......LOL
"I live to EFS"
Tom

[freeflir29 0]

Clueless other than wind. I don't think a canopy is capable of skidding without some wind. It may have been a small thermal induced wind or something.....But...I don't know shit...so...."I only have a C license, so I don't know shit..right?"-Clay

[freeflyguy 0]

I'd have to say the cross wind too. If you had shifted in the harness, or given it toggle input, one side of the canopy would have dipped a bit for the turn. So it is likely a gust. On a no wind day, there is often wind from somewhere. That is why they say 'light and variable'. Even a couple mile an hour gust would push you sideways enough to notice. Good job landing it though. Just keep flying and all is well.
Nice on the wing loading trick too. Some heavy bell fliers here have threatend to put me on a diet, so I can keep up with them. I haven't committed to that yet though. I'll just sit with them, or better yet learn to slow down more on my head.

[LawnDart21 0]

For somebody that doesn't know shit, your pretty knowledgable....................thanks!
"I have my D license, so that means I know everything, right?"
Tom

[LawnDart21 0]

The weight gain thing is wild, it's like every pound I gain equals more yardage on my surf!!! (just kidding) But seriously, at 200lbs exit weight, I was used to a certain amount of surf, 30 or 40 yards and then I'd start getting ready to land it, put my feet down and close up shop. Now with the added poundage I'm finding myself fighting my mental clock and saying, "not yet, not yet, too fast still, you'll face plant, keep flying, keep flying!!" I LOVE THIS CANOPY!!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!
"I live to EFS"
Tom

[MarcusV 0]

Quote

The last swoop of the day though,I did everything the same as before, yet on my swoop I was side sliding to the right.

Must been heavy thermals though with a wingload of 1.85 ;-))
No, serious: Your last turn before landing - could it be a right turn, perhaps even corrected with a toggle?
If yes, for me it sounds as the turn wasn't smooth and your Vengeance was kinda oversteering to the right while landing. This is nothing to worry about - just think of it the next landing to make smooth and soft moves, especially when you're toggle turning.
Blues Marcus
--
Perfect speed, my son, is being there. - Jonathan Livingston Seagull

[alan 1]

You may have had a slight crosswind that went unnoticed. Or, you may have unknowingly been sitting in the harness with a little more weight on one side and instinctively correcting with the opposite toggle, causing a forward slip, meaning the canopy had a straight track across the ground into the wind, but with a slightly offset heading. Try it at altitude with another similar canopy/wingloading flying neutral for a reference. When might you want to be able to do this as a practiced skill? Also, just for fun, try inputting a little front riser and then correcting with the opposite toggle. Talk to the CReW guys, they can tell you how it will affect the canopies flight and the application for the technique.
alan

[rhino 0]

Sounds like a possible balance issue.. Possibly entering the end of the turn or the beginning of the surf not in balance with the canopy "your body sort of heading in one direction, the canopy wanting to fly another", could have caused what felt like a side slide. Try learning to stay in balance "center" with your canopy through turns. It is something you have to feel. Maybe hooksnswoops can explain it.. I've never seen him out of balance under canopy. He is always very centered, very square and smooth.. It's almost like when you know you are going to take a fast turn in a car you lean in that direction. You have to learn to load the portion of the canopy that is doing the work in the turns to be smoother and in balance. I haven't by any means learned this yet but I watch the weight transfers and the movements of the good canopy pilots before, during and after they enter their turns.. The best example I can give is teaching my son how to ride a bike without training wheels. He wants to go in one direction and he turns the wheel but his weight is still vertical and moving forward.. Once I taught him to lean before the turn and lean to get out of the turn he was in balance with the bike and could fully utilize the design of the bike. Now he drives the bike instead of the bike driving him.
Rhino
Blue Skies and Smooth Rides!!
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