mstlaurent 0 #1 October 8, 2005 Hello, I would like to know which main canopy are made from ZP and F111 and would be good for a beginner. It would be my first parachute so I want something easy to pack... I heard that ZP are hard to pack so I though it would be better to learn packing on this type of parachute. I know the Silhouette and the Turbo-z, are there any others? Thanks! Martin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjc 0 #2 October 8, 2005 My 1st canopy was a silhouette 210 (loading1.0). Fantastic canopy, no bad openings Parachutes de France 'Electra' is also a hybrid F111/ZP. Haven't jumped one myself but know plenty of people who have them and love them... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katzurki 0 #3 October 8, 2005 Beaten-around ZP (300-400 jumps) is easier to pack than you might think. I vote go used, go zp, go for a canopy that's maybe just back from its first reline if you're that concerned about packing. Good on $ and easier to resell. ...Solo from Aerodyne is effectively a Pilot with bits of F-111. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #4 October 8, 2005 QuoteBeaten-around ZP (300-400 jumps) is easier to pack than you might think. .... Good on $ and easier to resell. Ok, maybe I'll go for all ZP. They are easier to find... Thanks for your help. Martin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #5 October 8, 2005 Are you buying new or used? If you are buying used, no need to limit your search. Make a wish list of canopies that would be suitable, then see what is available and fits your budget. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #6 October 8, 2005 The Silhouette is the best-kept secret in canopies today. Excellent canopy and a great choice for your needs. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #7 October 8, 2005 QuoteAre you buying new or used? If you are buying used, no need to limit your search. Make a wish list of canopies that would be suitable, then see what is available and fits your budget. I'm definitely buying used. I want to keep as most money as possible for jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilLurker 2 #8 October 8, 2005 What size are you looking for? I have a 170 with about 500 jumps on it I'll part with at a very reasonable cost. What do you weigh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilLurker 2 #9 October 8, 2005 Quote The Silhouette is the best-kept secret in canopies today. I'd have to agree. I bought it on my rigger's recommendation and am very satisfied with every aspect of it. It's probly not more popular due to the "F-111 is old school" opinion, but I didn't see any difference in performance from an all-ZP canopy with a similar planform. I'd say if you didn't tell someone, they would think they were flying a Sabre (minus the tendency to slam you on opening). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilLurker 2 #10 October 8, 2005 QuoteQuote The Silhouette is the best-kept secret in canopies today. I'd have to agree. I bought it on my rigger's recommendation and am very satisfied with every aspect of it. It's probably not more popular due to the "F-111 is old school" opinion, but I didn't see any difference in performance from an all-ZP canopy with a similar planform. I'd say if you didn't tell someone, they would think they were flying a Sabre (minus the tendency to slam you on opening). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rhys 0 #11 October 8, 2005 I suggest a 2nd hand safire of the appropriate loading for you. nice openings and long student type flares. but i'm just a bias new zealander."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mstlaurent 0 #12 October 9, 2005 QuoteWhat size are you looking for? I have a 170 with about 500 jumps on it I'll part with at a very reasonable cost. What do you weigh? I have an exit weight of 175 lbs. PD suggest a Silhouette 230 or a Sabre 2 190 for a novice of 175 lbs. I'm not sure that would be good for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilLurker 2 #13 October 9, 2005 QuoteI have an exit weight of 175 lbs. Okay, keep looking. You're too heavy for it at this stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nate_1979 9 #14 October 9, 2005 I've got some jumps on the Silhouette... I really like that canopy, my openings and landings were great under it. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Superman32 0 #15 October 9, 2005 I've been jumping a Silhouette and really like the packing and openings. I've been told that it pretty much has the same flight characteristics of the Sabre2, but its optimal at 1:1 WL. if you go beyond that performance will suffer. Inveniam Viam aut Faciam I'm back biatches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites justinb138 0 #16 October 10, 2005 QuoteI've been jumping a Silhouette and really like the packing and openings. I've been told that it pretty much has the same flight characteristics of the Sabre2, but its optimal at 1:1 WL. if you go beyond that performance will suffer. I've put about 30 jumps on my Silhouette 230 and I jumped a Sabre2 230 5 times this weekend, both loaded around 1.1 My observations: Openings: I packed both with the nose hanging. The Silhouette openings were great, very soft every time. Only had a few off heading openings, which I would nearly guarantee was either my sloppy packing or poor body position. The sabre2 openings were somewhat brisk, but not hard by any means. Most jumps I had closed end cells, but they were easily fixed by pulling the rear risers down for a few seconds. Had one off heading opening on the Sabre2. Flight: Both canopies have a pretty flat glide, I think the Silhouette was slightly better in full flight than the Sabre2, but it was still easy to hang in brakes and make it back from a long spot on both. The Sil had lighter toggle pressure, and turned a little quicker than the Sabre, but the Sabre would lose more altitude in a turn, and took a little bit longer to recover. Riser turns were much easier on the Sabre2. Landings: The Sabre2 seemed easier to land, especially with no wind. Packing: Packing the Silhouette was much easier than the Sabre2, but the Sabre2 was still pretty slippery. I like them both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sid 1 #17 October 10, 2005 I jump a Firebolt 164 (from Jumpshack) with zp top skina nd F 111 bottom skin and it quite simply the best canopy I've ever flown. Good openings, great performance (true elliptical) and really easy to pack. It renewed my love of parachute flight again! Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mikecm469 1 #18 October 13, 2005 I too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. I love it. I have a 218 and load it around 1.1:1 now. I've gained a few pounds. If you'd like to try one out, call and have them send you a demo. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RMURRAY 1 #19 October 14, 2005 QuoteI too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. I love it. I have a 218 and load it around 1.1:1 now. I've gained a few pounds. If you'd like to try one out, call and have them send you a demo. to me really makes sense for a tandem canopy - to make easier to pack. why do we not see more sport canopies with zero P top and F111 bottom and ribs??? what are the advantages and disadvantages of both? rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Elisha 1 #20 October 14, 2005 QuoteI too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. You want to update your profile then? Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
EvilLurker 2 #8 October 8, 2005 What size are you looking for? I have a 170 with about 500 jumps on it I'll part with at a very reasonable cost. What do you weigh? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilLurker 2 #9 October 8, 2005 Quote The Silhouette is the best-kept secret in canopies today. I'd have to agree. I bought it on my rigger's recommendation and am very satisfied with every aspect of it. It's probly not more popular due to the "F-111 is old school" opinion, but I didn't see any difference in performance from an all-ZP canopy with a similar planform. I'd say if you didn't tell someone, they would think they were flying a Sabre (minus the tendency to slam you on opening). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilLurker 2 #10 October 8, 2005 QuoteQuote The Silhouette is the best-kept secret in canopies today. I'd have to agree. I bought it on my rigger's recommendation and am very satisfied with every aspect of it. It's probably not more popular due to the "F-111 is old school" opinion, but I didn't see any difference in performance from an all-ZP canopy with a similar planform. I'd say if you didn't tell someone, they would think they were flying a Sabre (minus the tendency to slam you on opening). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #11 October 8, 2005 I suggest a 2nd hand safire of the appropriate loading for you. nice openings and long student type flares. but i'm just a bias new zealander."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mstlaurent 0 #12 October 9, 2005 QuoteWhat size are you looking for? I have a 170 with about 500 jumps on it I'll part with at a very reasonable cost. What do you weigh? I have an exit weight of 175 lbs. PD suggest a Silhouette 230 or a Sabre 2 190 for a novice of 175 lbs. I'm not sure that would be good for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilLurker 2 #13 October 9, 2005 QuoteI have an exit weight of 175 lbs. Okay, keep looking. You're too heavy for it at this stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #14 October 9, 2005 I've got some jumps on the Silhouette... I really like that canopy, my openings and landings were great under it. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superman32 0 #15 October 9, 2005 I've been jumping a Silhouette and really like the packing and openings. I've been told that it pretty much has the same flight characteristics of the Sabre2, but its optimal at 1:1 WL. if you go beyond that performance will suffer. Inveniam Viam aut Faciam I'm back biatches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #16 October 10, 2005 QuoteI've been jumping a Silhouette and really like the packing and openings. I've been told that it pretty much has the same flight characteristics of the Sabre2, but its optimal at 1:1 WL. if you go beyond that performance will suffer. I've put about 30 jumps on my Silhouette 230 and I jumped a Sabre2 230 5 times this weekend, both loaded around 1.1 My observations: Openings: I packed both with the nose hanging. The Silhouette openings were great, very soft every time. Only had a few off heading openings, which I would nearly guarantee was either my sloppy packing or poor body position. The sabre2 openings were somewhat brisk, but not hard by any means. Most jumps I had closed end cells, but they were easily fixed by pulling the rear risers down for a few seconds. Had one off heading opening on the Sabre2. Flight: Both canopies have a pretty flat glide, I think the Silhouette was slightly better in full flight than the Sabre2, but it was still easy to hang in brakes and make it back from a long spot on both. The Sil had lighter toggle pressure, and turned a little quicker than the Sabre, but the Sabre would lose more altitude in a turn, and took a little bit longer to recover. Riser turns were much easier on the Sabre2. Landings: The Sabre2 seemed easier to land, especially with no wind. Packing: Packing the Silhouette was much easier than the Sabre2, but the Sabre2 was still pretty slippery. I like them both. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #17 October 10, 2005 I jump a Firebolt 164 (from Jumpshack) with zp top skina nd F 111 bottom skin and it quite simply the best canopy I've ever flown. Good openings, great performance (true elliptical) and really easy to pack. It renewed my love of parachute flight again! Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikecm469 1 #18 October 13, 2005 I too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. I love it. I have a 218 and load it around 1.1:1 now. I've gained a few pounds. If you'd like to try one out, call and have them send you a demo. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #19 October 14, 2005 QuoteI too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. I love it. I have a 218 and load it around 1.1:1 now. I've gained a few pounds. If you'd like to try one out, call and have them send you a demo. to me really makes sense for a tandem canopy - to make easier to pack. why do we not see more sport canopies with zero P top and F111 bottom and ribs??? what are the advantages and disadvantages of both? rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elisha 1 #20 October 14, 2005 QuoteI too have the Firebolt from Jumpshack. I started jumping it around jump 30 and now have about a 100 jumps on it. You want to update your profile then? Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
