Interceptor for BASE?

[Kirils 1]

I am trying BASE jumping again. I have a 7 cell Interceptor 200 (I weigh 175) with dacron lines. If I have a tail pocket installed would it make a good BASE canopy? I really appreciate any advise. Money is tight and if possible,I would like to use this canopy. Thanks!

[PhreeZone 15]

Tailpocket is a lot different then a tailgate. My Base instructor will not let me think of a base jump with out a tailgate. I'm thinking that you would'nt want that canopy anyways for base since from all I've read its roo small for your size.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[fasterfaller 0]

Thats more of a wingloading than I would ever be willing to do base with . I would say wait until you can afford a base specific canopy .

[TomAiello 25]

My best advice: Don't do it! Wait until you can afford real BASE gear.

Quote

I have a 7 cell Interceptor 200 (I weigh 175) with dacron lines. If I have a tail pocket installed would it make a good BASE canopy?

Body weight of 175 makes probable exit weight 195 (with rig, pads, clothes, etc). That puts your wingloading at .975. That's way too high for a beginner (or any other) BASE jumper. Plus, as a CRW canopy, I bet an Interceptor would land pretty hard (I don't really know that, as I've never flown one).

I did meet a jumper a few years ago who was using an Interceptor for BASE. As I recall, he had to move the bridle attachment point (does that sound right to anyone who is familiar with the canopy?), since it was in some funky CRW location, and was generating weird spins on the way to line stretch (and consequently off-heading openings).

All in all, it sounds like a pretty bad idea to me. If you're dead set on it, be sure to send the canopy in to a BASE manufacturer, and have them inspect it and make the necessary modifications. I bet that's all going to be pricey enough that you'd be better off just buying a used BASE canopy, though.

BASE Gear Classifieds

-- Tom Aiello

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SnakeRiverBASE.com

[base704 0]

...tail pocket AND tailgate are necessary

You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone.

[motherhucker 0]

Quote

I have a 7 cell Interceptor 200 (I weigh 175) with dacron lines. If I have a tail pocket installed would it make a good BASE canopy

In short, no.
I have about 15 jumps on an Interceptor somewhere around the 220sf range. Your wingloading on this canopy is way too high for a beginner. On the one I jumped, opening heading was pretty inconsistent, and being a crew canopy it has a noticably steeper angle of attack. It might be a good canopy to jump at the perrine for an EXPERIENCED jumper, but a beginner canopy it is NOT.
I believe the last time that particular canopy was used for a BASE jump, It was landed in a talus field and the jumper spent a couple of very long days crawling out of the area.
don't do it.
huck

[cobaltdan 0]

please reconsider a larger, base specific design canopy.

i.e. a 245 troll, mojo, fox, etc......

be very selective with your choice of base instructor/mentor and equipment.


sincerely,

dan<><>
atair aerodynamics
www.extremefly.com

Daniel Preston <><>
atairaerodynamics.com (sport)
atairaerospace.com (military)

[CrazyThomas 0]

I second the opinion that an interceptor is not for BASE. I started on one, and ditched it as quickly as I could. The first thing I did was buy myself a BASE specific canopy. And my openings improved, my landings improved, and my confidence level improved.
I had around 10-15 jumps on this interceptor, and only half the time could I stand up my landings. not because I wasn't flaring, but because there was nothing there when I hit the toggles.
I skydived this canopy first, and stood up my landing. So, I thought it would be acceptable to BASE with. well, technically it was. I lived through it at least. but, all S jumps, and I did have a 180 or 2. so, my best thought is that if you are new to the sport, buy new gear, and BASE specific gear.
and if money is an issue, maybe this sport is not for you. Think about how much hospital bills cost compared to the price of a rig. I can tell you from my experiences, that of the hospital bills I incurred from my stupidity, I could have bought countless rigs. of course, getting the insurance company to pay for parachutes is much tougher than having them pay for hospital bills.
my .02
Peace,
Thomas