BrianSGermain 1 #1 December 21, 2006 On Finding the Perfect Canopy Before arriving at a decision about which canopy you should use, there are many questions to be answered. It is best not draw your conclusion for several months if you want to make the right choice. There can be no rushing if you want to find yourself a parachute you can live with. In order to truly "Love" your canopy, you must arrive at the decision to purchase it based on a very exhaustive process. The beginning is to answer the following question: 1) What do I want your new parachute to do that my old parachute does not do well? And the second question is: 2) Do I honestly have the skills to handle all the new possibilities that this new level of performance will give me? And finally: 3) Am I willing to pay the price of the learning process to attain such skills? I am not specifically referring to a canopy course. I am referring to the intense learning, either through written works, video, conversations or formal education. It is that or the Great Teacher (IPA: Incredible Physical Agony). Take your pick. Once you have answered the three questions, you need to take it a step further: 4) How good am I willing to become? This is the biggie, the one that causes most people to hit a glass ceiling. If you honestly believe you are going to become a great canopy pilot, you will. This entails a commitment to the achievement of this goal. Giving up along the way is not permitted. The ground will weed you out, and it does not grade on a curve. If you are willing to honestly think about each of these questions, regardless of the specific answers you come up with, you will create the correct choice for yourself. It will be, in fact, incredibly obvious. If it makes sense to you after all that thought and discussion, it is probably the truth for you. BrianInstructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #2 December 21, 2006 I found Mine and I'm just waiting for it now... JVX84"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #3 December 24, 2006 Hi Brian I would like your advice on the correct canopy type for me. I have always had square canopies and have been ok with them (not ecstatic, not unhappy). Recently some of my friends have suggested that I try an elliptical canopy (NOTE: I do not not swoop, nor do I wish to become a swooper). One of my female friends said she had had some trouble with her landings (as I am now) and for her the hurricane was more "lifty" and therefore easier to land. Is this true? I am currently happy with my canopy size (150) and will probably stay with this size for at least another 150 - 200 jumps or so before I even think of downsizing. I am open to trying out new canopies but not convinced the planform would make such a difference? Having said that, I know that my canopy has a very steep angle of attack, maybe the hurricane would be less so? Advice please! Thanks Chantelle -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #4 January 5, 2007 Hi Chanti, It is hard for me to accurately suggest a canopy for you, not knowing exactly how you land, or what your wing loading will be. However, it is my experience that eliptical parachute do not have more or less lift based on the "elipticalness" alone. It is possible that the hurricane or the Samurai will have more lift than your current canopy, but that is not because what you have right now is square, it is because the Sam and the Hurricane are better parachutes in general. The eliptical design allows for more maneuverability, that's all. This means that it turns better in general, especially on the harness. If are not rock solid on deployment, the elipticals will turn, sometimes aggressively. If you are not paying attention to your roll axis (hand symmetry) during the flare, you will fall over bigtime on an eliptical. If this is not your tendency, and you land with your parachute over your head (with zero bank at the end), the Samurai or the Huricane will be a wonderful step forward for you. This kind of canopy creates possibilities for you. If you are in control of your canopy on a profound level, the increased maneuverability will result in more fun. If the parachute is flying you on the other hand, such a choice will eventually result on some nasty landings. The trick is to assess your actual ability right now, factoring in any advanced canopy flight training you plan on receiving prior to flying the eliptical. It really does help. Perhaps we can arrange for a course at your DZ. The organizer gets in for free! CYA BrianInstructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airborne82nd 0 #5 January 5, 2007 The Samurai is honestly an awesome canopy. i have a crossfire2 but ill tell you the The Samurai flew awesome i cant describe what canopy it is close to but its a great canopy. i flew the jedi as well loved it. just thought i throw that in for objectivity, i have a crossfire but The Samurai was awesome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dharma1976 0 #7 January 6, 2007 Brian has saved my life so many times he is tired of hearing it....take the course.... Davehttp://www.skyjunky.com CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #8 January 6, 2007 I did A year ago. But I could probably do with another one! -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dharma1976 0 #9 January 6, 2007 was it the basic course or the advanced course if not the advanced course put together the advanced course Davehttp://www.skyjunky.com CSpenceFLY - I can't believe the number of people willing to bet their life on someone else doing the right thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #10 January 7, 2007 Isn't the advanced course for people with tiny canopies and swooping? I just need to land my ass safely on the ground without breaking anything!! -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #11 January 7, 2007 QuoteIsn't the advanced course for people with tiny canopies and swooping? I just need to land my ass safely on the ground without breaking anything!! Actually, that is why I am now offering the Intermediate Course. There are tons of canopy pilots that don't want to swoop, but do want to continue advancing their skills. The focus is relative flying, pattern and accuracy. I also work on curving the landings for crosswind situations. It is a blast! Brian +Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chanti 0 #12 January 8, 2007 That sounds awesome! So when are you planning another trip out to SA? -Chanti- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #13 January 8, 2007 QuoteThat sounds awesome! So when are you planning another trip out to SA? As soon as someone takes the bull by the horns and makes it happen! I hope it's soon, my schedule is filling up! BG +Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
