GeeeeeeFly 0 #1 March 10, 2004 I am interested in figuring out the best wingloading for a VX. I have been jumping a 120 FX at 1.9-2.0 (depending on whether I have eaten or done something else) and I feel very comfortable under the canopy. I am in the process of purchasing a new VX and I was thinking of down sizing to 114 or 109 but I have no desire to wing load the canopy so high that most of my canopy ride sinking out of the sky like a bat out of hell. I have noticed this on the velocity of the same size. I have seen the manufacturers recommendations and I don't plan on going over 2.4 ever. I feel that you lose forward flying performance from the canopy at that high a wingloading. So I am thinking 2.0-2.2 What is the general consensus among the community? G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 March 10, 2004 You have the right idea with your figures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
webracer 0 #3 March 10, 2004 A VX handles great from 1.8 to 2.2. At 2.0, you still have INCREDIBLE glide when you get on rears. At 1.8, you often run out of landing area in many places (it swoops that far). Careful packing ensures good openings. At 2.0, the Velocities come out of the sky pretty quick, but also have good glide on rears. They also give great swoops after you leave the corner. Fun Stuff!Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeeeeeeFly 0 #4 March 10, 2004 So the lower wing loading creates longer swoop? I am interested in getting nice long surf turf. I was thinking I would need to up my wing loading some more. But I knew from my physics training and understanding the wings dynamics I would have to put some weight into it to get the performance I was looking for in forward glide. The seven cell at higher wingloading just seems to fall out of the sky. I get really nice hook turns with it but my canopy has over 1100 jumps on it and has gone through some rough times (chow after chow) and now I am waiting for the jump to happen when I look up after deployment and seeing nothing but lines dangling in the wind... Thanx for the input... G "The edge ... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those that have gone over" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #5 March 10, 2004 i've jumped the vx from 2.0 up almost to 3.0 (in almost ever wing loading). and i got the best swoops, and over all performance it seamed like at 2.1 or 2.2. it just handled really well there. i have a 85 now, and it's too small to get a super long swoop (i load it at like 2.6), but it will still go pretty good. and it doesn't really fall out of the sky, i've stayed up with some pretty big canopies and can fly next to tandems in brakes. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #6 March 10, 2004 Quote i've jumped the vx from 2.0 up almost to 3.0 (in almost ever wing loading). and i got the best swoops, and over all performance it seamed like at 2.1 or 2.2. it just handled really well there. i have a 85 now, and it's too small to get a super long swoop (i load it at like 2.6), but it will still go pretty good. and it doesn't really fall out of the sky, i've stayed up with some pretty big canopies and can fly next to tandems in brakes. later I have a question for you then, Why an 85 if you found teh best performance was at 2.1 to 2.2?? Going to 2.6 might make it fly faster but your well into the point of diminishing returns for that speed? Just curious. Basically my questions is what performance characteristic do you like that wins out over the shorter swoop at 2.6 compared to 2.1-2.2??? Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
webracer 0 #7 March 10, 2004 Below 2.0, it is more difficult to accelerate into a dive. Below 1.8 (IMO, I have no experience below this WL, but I think Icarus says 1.8 is Min. WL), you may lose performance/stability.Troy I am now free to exercise my downward mobility. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #8 March 10, 2004 Quote I have a question for you then, Why an 85 if you found teh best performance was at 2.1 to 2.2?? Going to 2.6 might make it fly faster but your well into the point of diminishing returns for that speed? Just curious. Basically my questions is what performance characteristic do you like that wins out over the shorter swoop at 2.6 compared to 2.1-2.2??? at the time when i bought the canopy i wasn't planing on competing or anything of that matter. i just like the speed of the canopy. i am now looking to upsize to a 98 or 99. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #9 March 11, 2004 Quote Below 1.8 (IMO, I have no experience below this WL, You mean you started AFF with a 1.8WL?? Now THAT'S a progressive DZ...... Just kidding______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
