Pilot 132 demo

[billvon 3,107]

Put a few more jumps on a Pilot last weekend, this time a 132, which is considerably closer to my 'normal' canopy (Safire 119.) Not much different than the Pilot 150, which (to summarize):

-Amazing openings
-Strong non-PD flare (i.e. there's flare all the way down the stroke)
-Good glide
-Responsive on toggles, similar to a Sabre2
-Not very ground hungry in turns; flat turns are easy
-Very little response to front riser manuevers, both during turn and in double fronts. I can see this as both a plus and a minus.

[skygod7777 0]

what are you wing loading it at?

later

[billvon 3,107]

132 at around 1.5 to 1.

[AggieDave 6]

No one answered my question last time, so I'm going to ask it again.

How does it compare to the old Hornet?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[billvon 3,107]

>How does it compare to the old Hornet?

Dunno, I never jumped a Hornet. No one here seems to have one.

[Jessica 0]

If you want, you can jump mine at WFFC.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[riddler 0]

Bill - how difficult was it to get a demo of this canopy? I would be interested in seeing how it compares at a lower wingload (between 1 and 1.3), since I'm thinking that is more in the typical market for that canopy (i.e. intermediate canopy, newer jumpers like myself, lower wingload).

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[billvon 3,107]

>If you want, you can jump mine at WFFC.

You're on. What size is it? If you want I will trade canopies with you for a day; you'll have a choice of a Safire 119, Tri-135, Sabre 150 or Silhouette 170.

[billvon 3,107]

>Bill - how difficult was it to get a demo of this canopy?

I walked into Sq1 and said "Frank, I'm taking the Pilot 132 demo." I don't know how tough it would be at a normal DZ.

>I would be interested in seeing how it compares at a lower wingload
> (between 1 and 1.3), since I'm thinking that is more in the typical
>market for that canopy (i.e. intermediate canopy, newer jumpers like
> myself, lower wingload).

I jumped the Pilot 150 loaded at 1.3 to 1, and it performed very nicely. More aggressive than a Triathalon of the same size, a bit more aggressive than a Spectre, not quite as sensitive as a Sabre2.

[sangiro 26]

Bill,

If you have some time, drop your review in the gear database as well. I know there are lots of questions about the new canopies and it would be good to start building a bit of a frame of reference.

Safe swoops
Sangiro