fundgh 0 #1 June 9, 2003 I know that loosening the chest strap and bringing the slider down lets the canopy spread out a bit and changes the performance, but what flying characteristics does it affect? Is it more stable? Turn faster? More control? More response? Does it introduce any characterstics that would not be advisable to younger pilots, or does it make it a little safer and more dependable/predictable? I do understand geometry that is affected, but I would like to know more about the resulting performance....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 June 9, 2003 Just my .02C......it improves EVERY aspect of the canopies flight envelope. More glide, flair, controlability. Just plain makes it fly better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #3 June 9, 2003 Yep.. My crossfire2, at 1.9 flies TOTALLY different if I don't open the chest strap and bring the slider down. In fact I got my chest strap on my new Wings 8 inches longer than normal just for this reason. I loosen it all the way until it stops. Let that canopy fly baby!! Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstu 0 #4 June 10, 2003 I was just wondering this very same question on the way up to altitude yesterday, verrrryyy interesting.Slip Stream Air Sports Do not go softly, do not go quietly, never back down Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #5 June 10, 2003 I agree it helps all aspects of flight but I found the most affect on the use of the risers (back for glide front for turns) And turns in genaral feel more stable, I think because any input from the canopy translates better to your harness in a straight line w/o the slider in the way. Oh yeah harness input to, dont forget that one! Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajun 0 #6 June 10, 2003 QuoteDoes it introduce any characterstics that would not be advisable to younger pilots? YES!, make sure you are heads up when you are stowing your slider and loosening your chest strap. Fly the parachute first, clear air space then worry about the rest. Also do not stow the slider in a way that can prevent a cut away. Other than that, all is good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflydrew 0 #7 June 10, 2003 Bringing down the slider also limits the wear from the grommets against the lines... If you don't collapse and pull down the slider, it can inflate and flutter, rubbing against the lines, and decreasing their strength and longevity. (Thanks Scott Miller) I agree with all the other points of benefiting the canopy's flight characteristics... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #8 June 10, 2003 I have rapid links with covers and it is a bit difficult to pull the slider down, I am considering soft links. The one time I did loosen the chest and drop the slider I was worried about the slider going back up over my head. I have to work on my gear a little before I can get in to this whole method....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevieBoy 0 #9 June 10, 2003 Gotta ask Is the slider under your chin on on yor neck. .it deosn't mttaer waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #10 June 10, 2003 I put it behind my head. My helmet has a little bit of a lip, so I thought that it would help hold it down in place, but I felt like it still wanted to pop up a bit....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #11 June 11, 2003 When you pull it down, if you roll it up nice and tight, it won't catch air and try to travel back up your risers.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #12 June 11, 2003 I have caught myself off guard a couple of times lately not having my slider stow. When it happens I just kill it then pull it under my chin. If your chest strap is out, it ought to be tight. I can't recall ever smacking in due to my slider popping up, but I do know it was close a couple of times. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #13 June 11, 2003 QuoteI am considering soft links I'll never go back to metal links! My .02C is that Soft Links are safer and a hell of a lot less trouble. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #14 June 11, 2003 So when I go to the Rigger for reserve repack, I will have him put softees on...although I may get a new main soon, so I should probably wait. Should I also look into soft link bumpers or some kind of toggle protection? What is the cost associated with S-Links and covers (including rigger costs)?...FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #15 June 11, 2003 I think that I may not have had the chest strap loose, so I didn't have the full spread of the risers holding it down all the way. Although, I am not sure if that would make a big difference....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #16 June 11, 2003 Quoteso I should probably wait. No reason to wait. No rigger needed. They are somewhere around $20-30 and childishly simple to put on. I would have an "experienced" jumper check them after install but it really is VERY easy. They even come with a little instruction card that shows the correct routing. No bumpers needed as your slider will come right down onto the risers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #17 June 12, 2003 And possibly right down on to my toggles? They are velcro type toggles and the adhere fairly well. Is there anything to worry about?...FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #18 June 12, 2003 it could cause a toggle to release if it came down with that much force.. I have slinks and have only had a toggle come out on opening on 2 jumps (not my rig either).. now when I am watching my crossfire dance and while I steer the opening I make sure that my hands are in place to kind of catch the slider. if I dont do anything at all the slider still usuallys tops right at the top of the risers if not a bit higher... -yoshi_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #19 June 12, 2003 Now that you mention, as soon as it stands me up, I have my hands around the risers/toggles steering the unopened canopy. I don't see that toggle release would be a problem. If it is, I will make adjustments....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MathmatiC 0 #20 June 23, 2003 I would have to agree with everyone else on this partiular topic. Although I do not have very many jumps. I do know a bit about aerodynamics. If the wing is spread by loosening the chest strap and pulling the slider down then it should make the wing more efficent. If the wing is flying more efficently than that does mean all aspects of flight will be improved. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #21 June 23, 2003 Did a number of jumps this weekend, I managed to get my slider down, chest strap loose....WOW! It seemed to be a big difference. It flew faster, harness input was more effective, and it landed fast. I could see this increasing the danger a little, but it was very manageable. It was more responsive all around, it is kind of a pain in the ass getting the slider over the rapid links though. S-Links coming soon!...FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #22 June 24, 2003 I never had a problem getting my slider over smaller Rapides before I went to slinks. If anything, I had a lower incidence of brake fires due to the holdup at the links. Yes, of course that adds a degree of wear to your slider grommets, but no, I never wore any lines prematurely due to that. As to the "increased danger" , I am not sure what you are talking about. Is it possible that you are attempting to pull your slider down your risers AFTER you unstow your brakes? Don't do that. Open, kill slider, pull slider over stowed toggles carefully and down until it is stowed securely, loosen chest strap fully, unstow brakes, fly parachute to landing. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fundgh 0 #23 June 24, 2003 I just meant there are more things to do while paying attention to other pilots that are doing the same thing. Anybody ever have problem cutting away after stowing slider behind helmet? I would hate to find myself hanging from my main by my helmet or something....FUN FOR ALL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #24 June 24, 2003 not personally, but I would bet it has happened, especially with camera helets and snag points... -yoshi_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #25 June 25, 2003 I have never once, since the invention of slider stowing, heard of anyone having even a frection of a second delay from cutting away with their slider stowed. Derek (hooknswoop) recently did a test on his cutaway rig to see, once and for all, if there was any delay; he found none whatsoever. Trust me, trust Derek's test, or be afraid for no real reason. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
