RichLees

scores ... http://www.nspace.co.za/dpc2011/DubaiInternationalParachutingChampionship&GulfCup2011_191_Results.htm

2nd DUBAI International PARACHUTING CHAMPIONSHIP 5-17 January FLCPA Meet #1 Skydive Deland- January 29 Australian CP Nationals @ Sydney Skydivers Feb 16-20 FLCPA Meet #2 Skydive City Z-Hills - March 26 FLCPA Meet #3 Skydive Palatka - April 16 FLCPA Meet #4 Raeford Parachute Center - May 14 FLCPA Meet #5 Skydive The Farm - June 11 BELGIUM Black Mountain Swoop Comp - June 11-13 German Swooping Open and British Nationals at RAPA - July 7 - 9 USPA CP Nats SD Spaceland Aug 31-Sept 3

Between 400 and 600 jumps, I was on a Sabre 2 170 at your wingload. I tried a Stiletto 150 and quite liked it, but found I was turning (front riser) lower for a similar swoop. I stuck with my Sabre 2. I tried a crossfire 2 and preferred the sabre 2. I found the Sabre 2 can dive more than either of them. I tried a Katana 150 and was blown away. And a bit scared. 150 jumps later, I bought a Katana 135. At around 950 jumps, I got a Velo 120. The main resemblance to the Stiletto 150 is pack volume. Both are agile on the toggles, but the recovery arc is double on the Velo. I agree with your view that the extra height gives you more time to dig out, but its best to avoid gardening as both canopies are plenty lively enough to break more than both ankles. They're both good canopies and both valid steps in your swoop progression, but I wouldn't have wanted to go from one straight to the other.

I use an L&B Viso which gives a log of vertical speed and altitude every 0.25 second for one jump and a log of peak canopy speed on each jump. BUT I'm not sure how much confidence to place in it - I typically get 85mph at 220 feet on a 450 degree turn and 75 at 200 feet on 270 degree (WL approx 2.1, sea level DZ). I wonder how the recorded speed compares with what my Speed Cypres thinks. Does anyone know?

Thanks for the thoughts. I emailed PD a few weeks back, but didn't get a reply beyond ackowledging that it was a design question. I barely get 200 jumps a year so I'm not going to pretend I'm heading for a Velo (I'd love to try one just to know what it feels like, though) or even pushing beyond WL1.8 I like to get out at 5-8k and stall and dive the hell out of it. the coolest thing about the 135 was that hitting the brakes and then leaping on the front risers (slightly offset to initiate a turning dive) put me back into freefall for a couple of seconds. then, as the riser pressure blistered my hands, I could keep the turn going through the harness. my Neptune would go back into freefall and then show dive speeds of 100+fps to land, I go for 90 degree (from 350 feet) or 270 (from 500) with 5 secs before levelling off with rears or brakes. ie reasonably conservative, but, according to PD, hideously overloaded. when I tried the Stiletto 150, I brought the 90 turn down to 290 feet because it recovers so fast, but I didn't like the oversteer of the Stiletto compared to Sabre 2

hi, all - I'm trying to understand how PD derive wing-loadings for the Sabre 2. their web-site quotes weights for experience levels which work out around at wing loadings of 1.3 for "exp" and 1.6 max. I usually jump a 170 at WL1.4 (240lb exit). I've also tried the 150 (WL1.6) and 135 (WL1.8). I preferred the 135, but I wonder why PD quote such "low" WLs. is it structural or because the aerodynamics get screwy? or because they'd rather sell me the Katana? thanks Richard

Awesome! I've booked my flight so count me in!

Hi. I'm looking to take a week out (from work in UK) to get some CRW training in the USA in November - preferably somewhere warm like Florida/SoCal/Arizona! Are there any camps alongside Thanksgiving/other boogies? I'd need to hire suitable gear. Thanks Richard