ianmdrennan

Hey, I'm not trying to say the Katana's the greatest canopy in the world (I do think it's a pretty cool though), I was commenting on trim steepness and the abililty to get back from a spot. Anything constructive to add ? Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

It is a possibility I considered, however I happen to know the pilots involved and they were around (or less) my experience level. The thing they DID have going for them though was knowing their wings well, which I obviously didn't as I don't jump the pilot often. But I do spend enough time under canopy to know when I'm not making the progress I should be. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

You poor, poor woman...... Performance Designs Factory Team

Yes. I've taken AT LEAST one every year so far. I also sit through the basic courses whenever possible. Any pilot, experienced or not, who feels they don't need to sit through one of these every now and then needs a reality check. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Just a FYI but I got blown away by people on Katana's coming back from a long spot when I was jumping a Pilot 104. My experiences with KA's are that you can get back from further away, ESPECIALLY if you're flying into a headwind. EDIT: And Bill, we both know if a person is "pushing" a long spot for whatever canopy type they're flying - they're just asking for trouble, steep trim or not. EDIT EDIT: Side note on the jump mentioned above. Everyone jumping Stilletto's, Pilots, Sabre2's didn;t make it back. Those jumping Katana's and Velocities did - two of the steepest trimmed canopies on the market. IMO steep trim doesn't mean inablility to make it back, and it was clearly demonstrated that jump. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

So far the weather gods are smiling upon us

LOL - I'm going to PM Lara and bother her while she works now Stay safe! Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Belts are WAY better for your back. You don't have the opening shock going right over your shoulders and down your spine. I use a weight belt on every jump (for canopy loading), even when I'm doing FF training. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Personally I think (based on what you wrote) that you're using the neptune too much and I really don't like your 3rd alert usage description. There are 3 alerts are generally used as follows: 1) Leave the holding area and start your downwind leg 2) Base leg 3) Get ready for turn If you're using the neptune to tell you when to turn or tell you when you're in the corner you're going to come short at some point. Just prior to turn I use it to confirm I'm around the altitude my eyes tell me I'm at. I use the LOWER of the two (if I look low but neptune says I'm high I treat it like I'm low) for a quick buffer check. That and the pattern entry alts I described, although to date, I've been using it visually only with no audible settings. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'll be using swoop mode from this weekend on. Will let you know what I think of it Chris. I know Jay uses it, not sure about the others on the team, but I think they do as well. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Agreed. Performance Designs Factory Team

The first time I had a reserve ride I did the same thing but the velco was so strong (brand new and lots of it) that the left brake didn't fire. Of course that then started a turn which I had to stop with the other toggle while I worked out the unreleased toggle issue. Basically I just made my life harder than it needed to be at that time

I did, I think it's a great canopy that opens nicely. However I didn't like how flat the glide was and I didn't think much of it's penetration into the wind compared to other similarly sized canopies. I'm very curious to see how Aerodynes upcoming line will compare against the higher performing canopies though. My prediction is that PD and Aerodyne, together, will be the market "dominators" as both offer good products and great service. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Heh. I guess it's just proof that one size doesn't fit all (on both sides). I hated the XF2 openings, I found them much more squirrely (and diving) than my velo

To the original poster, my goal is to suck less

I disagree. Having jumped both I can safely say that the Katana, flown right will outswoop the XF2 IMO. That said I still think the XF2 is a nice canopy with a good place in the market. There's more to a canopy than a nose. By your standards the R.A.G.E. should be outperforming everything and it simply isn't. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yes, my wife made the jump from a Sabre2 to a Katana and downsized at the same time. Going from a Sabre2 135 to a Katana 120 should be managable considering the amount of jumps you've put on the Sabre2. What I'd do, instead of buying a Sabre2 120, is I would first demo a Sabre2 120 and see how you do under that for 2 weeks, then demo a Katana 120 and see how you do under that for 2 weeks and then make your purchasing decision. An extra 60 bucks is worth the piece of mind IMO. I LOVE the Katana (I've jumped a 107 and an 89), they're great canopies, but make no mistake they are capable of some seriously fast landings so treat it with a lot of respect. Have a good time and keep us posted on how the demo'ing goes (if you go that route). Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

Yep, did that too. The 2nd ride I had I remembered to peel the velcro before releasing the toggles

PD excel in customer service. Dead people don't buy products so why would they give someone something they didn't feel you were ready for? I applaud them for taking the initiative and trying to be responsible. Sure some folks will lie, cheat, steal their way around the roadblocks but trying to do something is better than sitting back and doing nothing. I disagree. I think PD are working hard to minimize an existing problem. I don't believe for one second that they think they solve every issue like this, but they weed out what they can, and I support them for it. Yes and yes. Of course PD employees are also grown adults and also capable of making decisions on whom they believe their product is suitable for. You think if they gave a demo velocity 75 to a 100 jump wonder and they pounded in that there wouldn't be a lawsuit? Having dealt with PD's demo program they WILL CALL the DZO, S&TA and ask if they have any doubts. If the DZO or S&TA say yes, PD will send it on their word. If they say no PD won't. That isn't rating anyone, that's taking someones word who knows the person. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

I'd tell him to kiss my ass. I'd pay for the photo (if it's a great photo), but seeing as you didn't ask him to come on the jump there's no way I'd pay the slot. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team

well thanks for taking my stud feeling away Don't feel bad Jake, they're wrong. Not all woman are multi-orgasmic. Of course, it's a lot of fun when they are

lol Performance Designs Factory Team

I believe they did keep him notified

Hey Dave, Some of this I'm addressing as a response to your post, some is just general rambling (don't want you to think I'm saying you don't believe in some things I know you do believe in). I agree, like I mention I despise 180's and I think 270's are better for a variety of reasons (for those who think I'm advocating skipping 180's I'm definitely not - they're an important part of the process). I understand what you're saying, and for the most part I think you have a valid point, but there are plenty of good pilots who have no desire to do 180's and are quite ready for X-braced canopies. I don't think turn degree is necessarily the best benchmark. I believe there are other things to look at as well that are much more important than turn degree. I hate 180's. I agree 100%. Yes and No. No one out there gets 100% of their canopy every time, of course that's no excuse to not strive for it or downsize prematurely but we also have to be realistic with ourselves and others. Somewhere in the middle there's a happy medium. I hate 180's. No worries Dave, I didn't mean my prior post to "come down on you" I just had a comment to make about 180s (I despise them) that I felt was appropriate to bring up after they were mentioned. I've read enough of your posts to know where you're coming from 99% of the time

You do not need to do 270's to get the all the speed out of a cross brace. A well performed 180 is sufficient. Now, there's a reason it's not used in competition and it's a turn I personally hate because of how the pattern has to be flown, but don't think that because someone hasn't done 270's they are/aren't ready for a X-braced. Just an FYI, Pete Allum did 418 feet last year during a FLCPA meet (distance record for the meet) doing a 180 turn. Blues, Ian Performance Designs Factory Team