Mar 10, 2004, 3:36 PM
Post #1 of 14
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Wing loading
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I was always told there was no such thing as a stupid question so here goes. Out the door = you and total gear. Once you deploy your main shouldn't your wing loading be caculated - your main
Well, technically the canopy (fabric plus suspension lines) is holding the weight of it's self too so wing loading is based on your exit weight (you plus gear) Kirk
Huh - never really thought of it that way - it would only be a few pounds, but good thought... I am not smart enough to answer this question tho - come on engineers!!!
hmm didnt think about that when I ordered my big reserve.....guess I'll have plenty of time to on the long slow canopy ride down on that bass ass reserve when ( and I think thats the right mentality rather than if...) I have to chop !!
billvon (D 16479)
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Mar 10, 2004, 4:07 PM
Post #7 of 14
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Your main parachute loading is equal to your exit weight divided by the square footage of the parachute. The main is included; it has to support its own weight, after all.
It's no different than calculating the wing loading of a plane. Since most planes store their fuel in the wings, they're a very significant percentage of the weight of the plane. Wouldn't make any sense to leave them out of the calculation.
The main is included; it has to support its own weight, after all.
I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight, however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right? The suspended weight (you and rig minus main) is what affects turn rate and dive of the canopy. Sooo even though we are only talking about 6 or so pounds, I think that the effective wingloading should not technically include the main. Does this make sense?
(This post was edited by JumpCrazy on Mar 10, 2004, 6:41 PM)
Your worried about a few lbs?...damn...to take a "dump" before a jump will not effect your W/L that much ------------------------------------------------------------ WORD!
billvon (D 16479)
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Mar 10, 2004, 7:36 PM
Post #11 of 14
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>I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight, > however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is > the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right?
No. A canopy must generate enough lift to counter the entire weight of the system; there's no aerodynamic 'trick' that allows the weight of the wing to not be supported by this lift. If you doubled the weight of the canopy (say from 6 pounds to 12) the performance of the canopy would change a bit; it would be similar to what happens when you add 6 pounds of weight in a weight belt, at least in a steady glide.
Additionally, when measuring my total body weight, if I'm standing up I dont include the weight of my legs. Since they are holding me up their mass doesnt count
(This post was edited by Blahr on Mar 11, 2004, 5:36 AM)
Additionally, when measuring my total body weight, if I'm standing up I dont include the weight of my legs. Since they are holding me up their mass doesnt count
So a fat-ass obese person who's sit-flying can exclude the weight of their ass?
>I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight, > however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is > the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right?
No. A canopy must generate enough lift to counter the entire weight of the system; there's no aerodynamic 'trick' that allows the weight of the wing to not be supported by this lift. If you doubled the weight of the canopy (say from 6 pounds to 12) the performance of the canopy would change a bit; it would be similar to what happens when you add 6 pounds of weight in a weight belt, at least in a steady glide.
