Canopy size advice

[Zoter 0]

Question for all you experienced peeps out there....
I am reading alot about zero porocity...wing loadings....7/9cells etc....but I have a couple of newbie questions
1) I know you should talk to your instructor ( and I do) but how do you calculate ..for want of a better word...what is the minimum canopy size you should be jumping.

2) what is wing loading....how is it calculated and what is recommended/not recommended for newly qualifieds.

3) how do ZP canopies affect overall canopy size and wing loading?

Phew !........I'm ready to be enlightened !
Thanks guys and gals !

[Zoter 0]

ooohh and I forgot another question....

why would anyone want a reserve canopy that is smaller than their main canopy !....am I missing something..'cuz that juss dont make sense to me !

[Fast 0]

Wingloading is

Weight of skydiver(+gear,clothes,etc... called exit weight) / SqFt of canopy

Generally speaking a 1:1 wingloading is the highest recomended for a new jumper.

edit for:

so a 190lb exit weight on a 170 canopy would be a 1.117:1 wingloading.

-example2-

a 190lb exit weight on a 210 canopy would be a .904:1 wingloading

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[quade 4]

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Wingloading is

Weight of skydiver / SqFt of canopy

Almost right.

It's actually the total weight that the canopy will need to support, including itself (exit weight) / square footage of the canopy.

So, unless you're jumping a -really- light weight rig, there's a pretty significant difference!

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[Fast 0]

Quote

Quote

Wingloading is

Weight of skydiver / SqFt of canopy

Almost right.

It's actually the total weight that the canopy will need to support, including itself (exit weight) / square footage of the canopy.

well, yeah, and edited

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[TheMonkey 0]

1. 1:1 is recommended for skydivers in the fetus stages of their careers

2. see above

3. does not...zp affects canopy flight as it is not as porous as F111...meaning air will not pass through the material, will affect the canopy's glide.

zp will make it more challenging when you are learning to pack, but it just takes practice

4. smaller reserve....don't know, mine is smaller b/c of my container size, but i am not worried aboot it, my canopies are huge (but then again so am i). 7cell reserve flies different than 9cell main, more docile, etc blah blah blah

don't ever be afraid to ask a question of your instructors, it's better than listening to some donkey like me online. your instructors and more knowledgable jumpers at your dz are always available to answer questions, i am offering their services to you now.

edit for fat fingers and small keys

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Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!

[PhillyKev 0]

Check this out...and everything else under Safety up there in the menu.

http://www.dropzone.com/safety/resources/handbook/gloss2.shtml

[Zoter 0]

k.....thanks guys....soooo whats the typical 'weight' of a Large rig....typically

[Zoter 0]

Ok.....so how does ZP affect canopy size choice?

[TheMonkey 0]

usually add 25lbs onto your weight for gear to get suspended weight under the canopy....

zp does not affect size of the canopy, 190 lbs of suspended weight under a 190sqft zp canopy is still loaded at 1:1

---------------------
Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!

[quade 4]

ZP shouldn't really affect that choice too much at all.

Two new canopies made to the exact same shape, one of F111 and the other of ZP will behave almost exactly the same.

After a number of jumps, the F111 canopy will begin to let more air through its skin and lower its efficiency.

What ZP does is keeps the canopy operating efficiently for a longer lifespan.

Almost (all?) reserves are made from F111.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[AndyMan 7]

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k.....thanks guys....soooo whats the typical 'weight' of a Large rig....typically

25 lb is a half decent number.

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Ok.....so how does ZP affect canopy size choice?

The fabric that is not ZP is usually known as "F-111". The nutshell about F-111 is that it can not be loaded above 1:1, and it wears out relatively quickly compared to ZP.

ZP can be loaded above 1:1, while F-111 mains can not.

Newer F-111 reserves can be loaded above 1:1, but this characteristic only applies to reserves, and not mains. Reserves wear less because they're not frequently used. Mains would wear out too quickly at higher wingloadings.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Zoter 0]

Thanks for that...the clouds are parting !

So ZP is generally the way to go?
And why are reserves generally F111 ratheer than ZP...surely you want the best performance possible if you pullout the reserve..?

and that 25lbs rig weight...is that all up main + reserve inside?

[AndyMan 7]

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So ZP is generally the way to go?

You would be hardpressed to find a new f-111 canopy. Yes, ZP is the way to go.

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And why are reserves generally F111 ratheer than ZP...surely you want the best performance possible if you pullout the reserve..?

When they're new, F-111 fabric is has the same characteristics of ZP. The biggest difference is that they wear differently. Since we rarely (if ever!) use our reserves, they just don't wear that much. A reserve with 20 jumps is considered well used... but that would also be considered a nearly brand new main.

Having ZP is only important on your main because of the number of jumps you'll put on it.

BTW - you can get a ZP reserve. Precision sells them. That said, your rigger will kill you because he has to pack it. ZP is more dificult to pack then F111 because it's slick.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.