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Skydiving Gear and Equipment: Main and Reserve Parachutes: Icarus Canopies: Safire 2

Safire 2

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Item:	Safire 2
Manufacturer:	Icarus Canopies (3649 Hits)

Purpose:	Main
Shape	Elliptical
Cells	9
Fabric:	ZP

Description:
The Safire 2, like the original Safire is a truly elliptical canopy with a light shaping incorporating a constant cell aspect ratio which consistently controls the airfoil shape across the canopy, maintaining increased rigidity and reducing drag.

The Safire 2 is an enhanced version of the original Safire incorporating new trim and plan form shaping techniques. Its openings are arguably the sweetest of any canopy in its class. So much so that you'd swear it was a 7 cell opening above your head. We have also integrated an even greater glide ratio, more nimble and very predicable flight characteristics, responsive flight controls both on toggles and risers, a shorter recovery arc to maintain a higher level of safety for mid-range jumpers and a powerful flare.

The Safire 2 is designed to fly best at wing loadings of .75 to 1.6. At the lower end, the Safire flies forgivingly and is an ideal transitional canopy. At the higher loadings, it is a fast-moving smooth-handling ride that outperforms other canopies in its class.

Added: 2002-05-05 | Item ID: 301

User Reviews:

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Total Reviews: 23

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3 Recent Reviews:

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

its a great tool

Rated by: clustermagnet (more about me) on 2009-11-11 17:04:13 (user reviews) Review ID:2260

Pros: softest openings ever
Cons: ... longest openings ever :)

comparing to safire2 300+ sabre 1 (200 jumps on them) sabre 2 (50 jumps) stiletto 10 jumps (fun spinning madness) chose the canopy because of super nice openings that are nice to my back if you jump 10+ times/day learn the flare of this canopy, its not the same as PD... in my inexperienced hands, the canopy flies similar to sabre2, almost identical. The openings can be a bit scary, constant 1K+ foot openings. I have had 1 hard opening on this canopy... just like my team mate who got slammed on a spectre few weeks back. i guess anything can slam.

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4 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Nice canopy but not for me

Rated by: Jeth (more about me) on 2009-08-05 08:26:31 (user reviews) Review ID:2225

Pros: good openings, very docile
Cons: slow openings, not very responsive

I recently demoed a Safire 2 149. I was looking to downsize from my Pilot 168, which I've jumped for about 200 jumps. I found that the Safire was not what I was looking for. People say that the openings are super soft. For me - that means way too long and no feedback. I like to pitch and feel the tension in the risers right away, and I did not get that with the Safire. It also sniveled way too long for me. There is a difference between quick and hard. I like a quick opening which is still soft. The canopy also didn't really perform like I wanted. The Safire was sluggish in turns, and I had to bury the toggles all the way down to get a good flare. I previously demoed a Pilot 150 and it was much more responsive. I was previously under-loaded, and was looking for better performance at about a 1.2 wing-loading. I did not get that with the Safire. I think this canopy would be great for beginners, or possibly at a much higher wing-loading. But for WL around 1:1, looking for a little more performance, it did not deliver.

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2 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Great Experience

Rated by: druvaughn (more about me) on 2009-07-08 06:00:24 (user reviews) Review ID:2211

Pros: Openings, Flare
Cons: None

I currently have a Safire 2 209 (1.37), and have done 300+/- jumps with it. Demo the 189 (1.51) for 25-30 jumps Took the canopy straight from the demo team at Skyfest. This interaction was certainly a positive experience -- took my CC on the spot and sent me on my way. Openings -- seemed to be a little more consistently on heading than my 209 has been which is surprising. Had one bad opening with twists, but happy to blame that as much on operator error. A good snivel and never really got smacked; typical opening about 800-900ft. As soft at terminal as H&P... Flying -- lighter fronts than my 209, and the rears had a very late stall point. Responsive to any inputs, and I was extremely happy with the harness turns which I have been unable to really use on the 209 (size or wing loading I suspect). Can make it float a little for cross counties with rears or brakes which is nice, and I was surprised that I had to lengthen my traditional final, as I was over shooting my early approaches. Flare -- every bit as strong as my 209, and the late stage is actually stronger. Without swooping, I typically use a 2-stage flare, and was pleasantly surprised that the 189 flew longer, requiring a step or 2 less. Have been told that manufacture time is fairly short (which it wasn't when I ordered my 209 a couple of years ago), but going to try another Icarus canopy before I buy. I am very happy with my Demo experience and with the flight and performance of both my 209 and this 189. Great canopies.

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