DylanH 1 #1 August 10, 2018 Looking for opinions on the Petra vs the Sofia from those who have flown them. Differences, similarities etc. I have already talked a bit with NZ about both wings but I am curious what others have to say about how they fly at different WL's in the XRW environment. Trying to decide on which one to get. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Proximity 0 #2 August 10, 2018 Could you elaborate on what NZA told you about the differences? I'm curious aswell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #3 August 10, 2018 Basically Sofia is steeper. Wingsuiters prefer the forward speed of the Petra but the sink of the Sofia. The guy I was talking with from NZ said if he was doing only XRW he would use a Sofia. Didn't go into a whole lot of detail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topspark101 0 #4 August 10, 2018 Easy..... if the advice from the WS brigade is all good ... then go for a higher WL Petra... ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #5 August 10, 2018 Yeah, easier for big guys to do that. I'm roughly 180lbs out the door, so even on the smallest canopy sizes I have to put on a fair amount of lead to load up. I have no jumps on Petra's but on one of my first jumps on a Sofia loaded at under 2.8 I was able to fly with someone in a Freak. So the steepness can be a benefit to avoid having to haul serious lead. But that's why I am posting. Interested to hear from those with Petra's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topspark101 0 #6 August 12, 2018 Get NZA to build you a 50 sqft Petra.... i'm sure they have made some smaller canopies than they advertise.... i think i've seen a 55sqft petra on my travels ? Should give you plenty enough speed/sink rate rate to keep with the freaks ! :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #7 August 12, 2018 I was told that 60 is the cut off point. The sub 60's are for special people only I guess. Just did a few jumps yesterday on a Sofia 64 with just under 40lbs of lead on getting me to 3.4WL. The freaks were quite happy with that. My body at the end of the day, not so much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skow 6 #8 August 15, 2018 DylanH I was told that 60 is the cut off point. The sub 60's are for special people only I guess. Just did a few jumps yesterday on a Sofia 64 with just under 40lbs of lead on getting me to 3.4WL. The freaks were quite happy with that. My body at the end of the day, not so much. If the main problem is your low body weight, I don't think any of those canopies will solve it and be a magic solution. After all there are very similar, so there won't be a night-and-day difference, whichever you choose. As a wingsuiter, I would personally prefer more forward speed (i.e. Petra), as you can fly with your wingsuit open, which gives you more power and range. If you need to sink - it's more difficult to slow down if needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jiggs 0 #9 August 17, 2018 Suggest you post this on the Petra page not here, you would get way more info there than here. Re-reading that, do you not have either wing?"Don't blame malice for what stupidity can explain." "In our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart and in our despair, against our will comes wisdom" - Aeschylus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #10 August 17, 2018 Petra page? Is that a post or a specific page I am not aware of? I don't own either wing. In the process of deciding which to order. I have only flown Sofia, but I will have a slightly larger Petra to try out from a friend soon. Have been talking with a few knowledgeable people on the subject since I posted this and got some solid feedback. I saw on your profile you fly a Petra, do you do XRW with it? If so, what loading do you generally run and do you run any modifications on the Petra (lineset, trim etc.)? I really am interested in hearing from everyone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cs_troyk 0 #11 August 19, 2018 I currently have a Petra (77.7, 3.25:1) and a Sofia (72.7, 3.5:1). The Sofia is pretty much specifically for XRW, and at that w/l, is pretty well in the groove. Would probably need to weight up to use the Petra, but the Sofia works so well I haven't bothered yet. Also have a 59 Sofia (intent is for XRW with smaller suits) and an 86 (experimental - not sure what it will be best for yet) on the way. I have a couple Leias; 84 - too big and flat for XRW), and a 66.6 - haven't tried it yet, but would imagine it will work well. I'll report back on this thread when I give it a go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jiggs 0 #12 August 23, 2018 Petra Page is a closed facebook group, many good pilots on there. Get the Petra, better all rounder than the Sofia and it is easier to fly with multiple canopy / wingsuit formations Yes, I have done several hundred XRW on the Petra. You don't need any mods The question is mostly about size and loading (and more importantly what you can safely use). I run my 67 (from 3 to 3.5) depending on group"Don't blame malice for what stupidity can explain." "In our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart and in our despair, against our will comes wisdom" - Aeschylus Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #13 September 8, 2018 I got added to the Petra page, definitely lots of good info on there. Had the chance to put a few jumps on a Petra 69. Jumped it loaded at 2.6 and 3.0. It felt steeper than Sofia 64 right away even at the lighter loading. That leaves me wondering what exactly the Sofia has as an advantage over Petra. The Sofia that my friend got was from Cornelia and must be on the line set with the flatter of the 2 trim options. I wonder if the steeper trim would set it apart. Looks like I will be getting a Petra. Would still like to hear from anyone else who happens to come across this post with experience on either or both of these wings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steveyak 0 #14 January 11, 2019 just a thought, you may like a petra with some weight but then still wearing a little more on your legs to make it steeper flying. and just for ref I'm usually about 225 exit weight and my petra 68 is super easy where me and guys in freak 2's generally both have lots of rangeIf you find yourself arguing with a good idea, you may want to stop arguing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #15 January 11, 2019 Yeah, I think you are pretty spot on with this. A few weeks back I got some jumps on a Petra 68 with a 220ish exit weight. I have a Petra 62 on the way. A bit of lead and some lower body drag and I think she'll be perfect for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjklein4470 23 #16 January 13, 2019 are there any videos of a sofia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #17 January 13, 2019 What sort of videos are you looking for? I have some footage of my 20 or so jumps on a Sofia 64. I can upload some of it if you are interested. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjklein4470 23 #18 January 14, 2019 that would be awesome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DylanH 1 #19 January 15, 2019 Here's some footage for ya. Just a random bit of everything I had. Some flocking, xrw and turns. https://youtu.be/bZE_dKWX-Pc Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
