Wingload Calculation

[FreakOnALeash 0]

hi @ll,
forgive a newbie for posting this question, as it might be awnsered several times before, but searching in this forum will give back hundreds of threads.
i am from germany and just passed my license with now 29 (proud !) jumps.
i read so much about wingload, and would like to know,
1.) how do you calculate it (possibly in kg and not in lbs and stones etc as we have the bloody metric system you know)?
2.) what should be the right wingload for a newbie like me?
i weigh 95 kg with complete gear and my canopy is a 'performace variable' spark-170 sqft
check-out
www.performance-variable.com
for details
detailed replys or url's to refer to are higly apreciated ;-)
blues,
fonzi

[BPO 0]

Hi Hans,
I'm no expert, but.. let me try to answer your question..
How to calculate your wingload:
wingload = (exit weight in lbs) / parachute-size
(one kilo is approx. 2,2 lbs)
So, your wingload on a 170sqft parachute would be:
( 95 * 2,2) / 170 = 1.23
I think this kind of wingload is considered to be fairly high for a 29-jumpwonder.
If you'd jump a 190sqft parachute, you'd load it at 1.1 which is more conservative.. You should probably ask your instructor about what size parachute is most suitable for your experience level though..
Hope this answers your question.
BlueSkies,
Bram

[FreakOnALeash 0]

yo bram,
thx so far.
i jumped a spark 230 in my 'class' and then did 2 jumps on a spark 190, which is as you said probably the right size and therefore wingload for me.
but then there was this offer for a spark 170, container-size was just as if made for me, little jumps on the system, only 2 years old and even the colours matched and i liked them, not to speak from the incredible low price. as the guy defenitly wanted to get rid of it. so i jumped it twice and with some wind it was easy to flare. now i jumped it on absolutely no wind and i have to make a couple of steps on 'touchdow', but i can land it.
i posted the question, because i already felt like beeing on the heavier side for this canopy and my abilities.
greetz, hans (fonzi)

[MarcusV 0]

Hi Hans,
if you speak German go visit Silvana's clickfish.com/skydiving. Silvana has collected more than 800 commented links about skydiving and all its facettes and so provides the biggest content in the German speaking web.
Silvana's clickfish.com skydiving sites
wingload part 1
wingload part 2
wingload part 3
with wingload calculation, loads of examples, articles, essays etc.
Have fun :-)
blues Marcus
--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around ;-)

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

There's a wing load calculator on this very site. click here
You shouldn't put a knife in the toaster - but you're an adult now !!!

[FreakOnALeash 0]

thx a lot guys especially silvanas archive is brillant for german speeking natives.
bs,
hans

[skybytch 273]

  Quote

but i can land it

Sure, in good conditions you can land it fine. What happens when conditions aren't good? The inevitable downwind or crosswind landing, the bad spot, when someone cuts you off on final... Your first main should be sized for the worst case situation, not for the average day of jumping.

  Quote

i already felt like beeing on the heavier side for this canopy and my abilities.

That should be your first clue that what you are jumping is too small for you right now.
pull and flare,
lisa
---
Mondays suck

[prost 0]

I am gald you didn't really retire from posting here skybytch. Even though I don't always agree, I value your input.
William