Manufacturer's recommended wingloading, on the low end

[tetra316 0]

So what exactly does it mean when a manufacturer recommends a wingloading? Not all do but the crossfire 2 recommends a wl of 1.4 and up. If I load it under that at around 1.34 to 1.38 does that really affect the flight? Would I be better off waiting till I'm ready to load it up more or would the effect really matter? Any one with experience underloading a canopy and then downsizing to within the recommended?

(And yes I did email Icarus, just waiting to hear back from them. )

[phoenixlpr 0]

I think every canopy has its performance envelope. You are simply out of it.

I don't think it would affect stability in turbulence. Can you notice a 0.06 or 0.02 WL change on any other canopy? How about using a weight belt/west?

[riggerrob 561]

Under-loaded canopies take forever to open and are "mushy" in turbulence.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Is underloading by 0.06 or 0.02 a big thing?

[Pendragon 1]

Why would you want to "underload" a Xfire2 anyway? It's a high(er) performance wing and you're not going to get anything special out of it unless you load it up a little, hence the manufacturers recommendation. It defeats the object really. Why not a Pilot/Safire2/Sabre2 at that W/L?

More docile canopies have a lower minimum W/L which relates to when the canopy has unfavorable characteristics like the ones already mentioned (mushy controls, openings etc)

--
BASE #1182
Muff #3573
PFI #52; UK WSI #13

[tetra316 0]

I've been jumping Sabre2 for the last 500 or so jumps. I'm getting something in the 120 size soon and have been trying different canopies like the impulse and stilleto. I really like how much more responsive an elliptical is and a crossfire seems a good choice.

[USPA 0]

It's not a huge difference. 0.06 under that isn't a huge difference either. Or 0.02 isn't a huge difference. But when you add them up, it's 1,4 which is a huge difference. The point I am trying to make: Icarus recommends 1.4, not 1.35, so why deviate? BTW, like already mentioned, if you don't want to fly higher WL (which is a good thing), you should probably look at other canopies, better suited for safer flight.

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...

[tetra316 0]

I see your point. What canopy would you recommend then? I would like to get an elliptical, not another sabre2. And I don't like the idea of a stilleto due to the short recovery arc.

[USPA 0]

It's very hard to recommend a canopy without knowing your skills or knowing what you are looking for in a canopy. You are saying you want an "elliptical". This term is very confusing and maybe a bit old fashioned. The first canopy which wasn't rectangular (the French BT canopy line) was called elliptical, today's standard would call it a tapered wing.

You must ask yourself, what do you want from a canopy? And do you need to get another canopy to achieve this?

If you know what you want from a canopy, then you can look into canopies which provide these qualities for you. But always remember to incorperate your abilities to fly a certain canopy or certain wingload. Though I suspect this won't be a problem, since you seem to be careful with your wingload.

The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die...

[Kimblair13 0]

Get a Sabre2 120

[tetra316 0]

Nah, I like the responsiveness of the 'ellipticals' better after jumping yours and the stilletto.
Plus there seems to be a lot more used crossfires for sale than sabre2s.

[phoenixlpr 0]

I think cross-braced are not the entry level elliptical....
Stiletto is starting from WL 1.2 :).

[tetra316 0]

What do you mean...? Crossfires are not cross braced.

[Kimblair13 0]

I think he is confused.
Tara you will not like the riser pressure at all on crossfires. Renfro could prob hook u up with a demo.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Sure. I`m confused. :)

[tetra316 0]

And what was it you were saying about getting a crossfire on sunday since you didn't like the cobalt?