a97virago

This is what I was looking for! Thank you! I just needed an idea of what made each canopy diffierent. I know that now every canopy is right for every skydiver, just didn't know what made them each unique! That was well written, informative and gives me a lot to think about and talk about with my DZ Staff! Blue Skies! Larry p.s. I never DID believe the post about jumping a 95sf canopy! I may be inexperienced, but I'm not gullible! Larry A-43434

Ron et al. You made your point about taking all advice received here with more than just a grain of salt long before your initial rant! Perhaps I should re-phrase my original question now that we are all in agreement... I'm interested in finding out the particular characteristics of different types of Canopies from those who have flown more than one canopy. For argument sake, assume the same wingloading on each type of canopy! Larry A-43434

Hooray, hooray,. hooray! Finally someone got it! Thank you again skybytch!!! For the rest... For myself, I know to take any and all information with a grain of salt! Especially on the internet! But the other side of the internet, there are alot of great people with great and valuable information out there too. People who I would never get to pick their brains otherwise. As I have said many times before. I am not looking for anyone to tell me what to buy. To put another way, I'm asking "Is a Corvette an SUV, Family sedan or Sports car" I know very little about the different makes of canopies, and am just looking to find out what their differences are! For myself, I am gathering all the information I can get my hands on, talking to as many people as I can, and bouncing it off my DZ staff. That's my decision making process. It's fair to warn that not all information should be taken as gospel, however, why not share the information that you have gathered along the way? Isn't that the idea behind this Forum? Larry A-43434

Congratulations Skymonkeyone!!! Larry A-43434

I completely understand that! That's my biggest goal this year! I'm tired of doing PLFs on every landing. I'm filling up my A license card with them!!! Well, good luck and keep me posted! Blue Skies Larry Larry A-43434

The DZO and S&TA went over the rig when I brough it down and as near as anyone can figure the pin got bumbed either on exit or in the aiplane. Not enough to cause a premature deployment, but when the container opened for the main, so did the reserve. At pull time, I was stable, belly to earth and well above AAD Arming or firing altitude. Larry A-43434

I'm 2 jumps into Solo, so a few more jumps and LET'S GO!!! Larry A-43434

That's exactly my intent! That's even why I ask this question here. In my line of work, the most powerful commodity is information. The more you can get, the more informed the questions you can ask, the more informed a decision you can make and the more you can tell the good advice from the bad. The only dumb question is the one not asked! Larry A-43434

Nick, In a way, I agree with Skybytch. Had I not know you were kidding, that might have gotten me killed. Sometimes sarcasm needs to be spelled out to avoid misinformation However, you're right, Peter, Fritz, and the others are a great source of info, and I can't wait to get together with them in the Spring. Peter was out on the field when I had my mal, I think he was more panicked than I was! And if you don't mind jumping with a newbie belly flyer, I'd love to jump with you. As soon as I'm cleared of student status! Larry A-43434

Here, here!!! Thank you redtwiga. That is exactly my feelings! I don't want to start a rant, however... I understand not wanting to find out that someone got hurt because of advice that was given to them. But not to share the wealth of experience that you have accumulated over the many years and thousands of dives, ends up doing as much of a disservice. Skydiving, like any other sport, is loaded with new sounding equiptment that those of us who are just getting into it can become daunted by. Help us to clear away the mystique. Larry Larry A-43434

One cutaway on jump #8. Simultaneous deployment started as a side by side, but then turned into a downplane. The decision to chop to about 1 millisecond! "Oh shit! Chop!" Larry Larry A-43434

Ahhh, I got it, thank you! You're the best Larry Larry A-43434

Well, as there is 2 feet of snow blanketing the entire region. There really isn't anyone at my DZ to talk to for a few months. The reason I asked the question here, is because of the vast numbers of people who have opinions and who enjoy helping other skydivers out. The first thing I'd like to point out is that I never asked anyone to pick out a canopy for me. I was merely asking what the different characteristics of the canopies were. Also I have seen that there are several people that develop, manufactor and sell parachutes here. And they certainly know the differences between types of canopies. I'm just getting other people's recommendations to take with me to my DZ in the spring to ask my rigger/instructors/DZO and fellow skydivers. And no, my DZ won't allow me to jump my own rig while still on student status, But haven't you ever shopped around for something you were going to buy before you bought it? Larry A-43434

Feverishly taking notes!!! Larry Larry A-43434

Maybe I can build a jump plane too. Larry A-43434

[sarcasm] how many queen-sized bed sheets do I need to sew together to make a canopy wingloaded at 1.2:1? And do you recommend Packing twine or shoestrings for suspension lines? I'm a real "Do It Yourself" kind of guy [/sarcasm] Larry Larry A-43434

Thanks, skybytch! but.., What do you mean by "surfy"? Well, I don't see myself as the aggressive sort, but it's very early in my "career". I was planning on keeping my wingloading under 1:1. At least for a few hundred jumps. Larry Larry A-43434

Not with me! Larry A-43434

I know, I've seen! And I don't want you to get into trouble. I guess that's the problem with asking for opinions. when two people don't have the same opinion, things can heat up! Well, let's hope that doesn't happen. Oh and thanks for the input! Larry Larry A-43434

Well, here I go again, asking a newbie question... First a little background... In understand about wing loading and keeping it well under 1:1 for beginners. At my DZ, I use the largest rig (read main and reserve). There is only one rig of this size. So I have be "grounded" a couple of times, usually because of reserve repacks. One was a scheduled repack, the other was my own cutaway. So, I've been really considering getting my own first rig. That way, I always have a rig, pay to have it repacked, and maybe get it repacked sooner (usually takes a week when it is the DZ's equiptment). So anyway, here's my question. What is the difference between the different models of canopies? Or more specifically, what model would make a good first canopy? Like I said, as far as size is concerned, I can do the math and figure out wingloading. Also with different models, does the Beginner wingloading change from say .7? Larry Larry A-43434

Haaaa haaaa Bill, that's truely twisted! I love it! edited: with my luck, they'd all be ex-wives with PMS Larry Larry A-43434

Boy, it's tough when even your husband is critiquing you! Larry A-43434

I thought it was 90% of your income and 50% of your free time! At least that's the way it is for me. And I wouldn't have it any other way! Welcome, monteflygirl, to the greatest addiction on or above this earth. Larry A-43434

It's been a GREAT 4 years! And getting better! Larry A-43434

My 31st was my best year too. That was the year I started this addiction! Larry A-43434