On opening my 4 left cells in the front do not inflate causing the canopy to make a hard left. I am loading it at a 1.1 and it now has 12 jumps on it. I had my rigger jump it as well and it did the same thing. I checked the lines for equal length and all is good. It was packed by three different people and still does it including my rigger and a packer with 15 years packing experience and several Safire 2's. I talked to Icarus and they are not really sure... worst case I send it in to them but I am looking for suggestions or a similar problem..... any help is appreciated.
If its happening to others and you've eliminated all other aspects of your gear (incorrectly made risers for example), then your best bet is to send it back to the manufacture for inspection and jumps. Could be something goofy like some of the seams were sewn a little off or the cross ports weren't cut into a couple of the ribs.
I advised him to try this forum as well, thinking that this forum in particular has the experienced canopy pilots that can probably be of immediate assistance to him. My regrets for causing him to get into trouble. Mea culpa.
Maybe underloading it? Although Icarus recommend WL in that range on Safire 2. My Safire 2 did things like that. When it was brand new more often, now, from time to time. I had 2-3 end cell closure. I load it 1.6. 130 jumps on the canopy since new.
That is just my 2c. I`m not so experienced.
Also, I must concure with rest of the guys. Please don`t crosspost.
When I talked to Icarus today they said that should not be a problem but hearing that yours did it to start out makes me feel a bit better. I wondered if it was just a matter of breaking in but Icarus said no.... I just don't want to keep jumping it only to find out that it will continue to do it.
I get the crosspost thing! MY BAD... I'm sorry :( I deleted the other posts... just got confused where I should post it.
That is the one thing I thought might be doing it. It is large and not collapsible. Other jumpers did tell me they can see the shoot dragging a bit and the PC pulling on the canopy. It is not the right PC for it at all but I am getting one with my new Vector so I am not going to buy a new one for the canopy but definitely something worth trying. Do you think that drag could be pulling so much that it prevents the cells from opening? Also it is always on the left side?
I'm not a rigger, nore an instructor, but I learned through time that PC's ARE important. Maybe ask your rigger what he thinks about it, if he has a spare Dbag properly sized for your container and canopy, a "better" sized collapsible PC, and if you could try this as part of the cure...
edited to add : what size canopy ?
(This post was edited by piisfish on Oct 6, 2008, 1:30 PM)
Good thoughts and I will try them out.... canopy is a 229. As you can see by my jump numbers I am trying to downsize properly and loading just over a one I think is where I need to be.
Everyone always has to rip on the big canopy... HA Im a big boy damnit.... kidding of course I know you are not trying to offend. I just thought being 6'3 210-215 that I should not jump down to a 190. You would be suprised at how well it does respond once open with my weight.... I think it is good fun! :)
Good question.... I am not sure as it is the one that came with the canopy. It is bigger than the PC I used for my 254 PD F-111. I was just excited to jump it so I went with what it had attached to it. Do you think that could be the cause?
Yes I know that but I jumped it with the PC that was with the rig I bought. Sorry not to be clear.... I bought this canopy with 2 jumps on it as part of a complete system. I wanted the expert Cypres in it and the canopy so when I unhooked the canopy from the rig and put it in mine I just left the d-bag and PC on it.
Like I said, you shouldn't have done that, unless the 2nd rig is the exact same as yours, you should use the bag and pc that came with the rig you're jumping. Risers too.
Thanks Ian..... that is what the plan is for the weekend. This just sucks getting a canopy that only has 2 jumps on it (new) and it has problems. I appreciate everyones insight!
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