What falls closer: freebag or cutaway canopy?

[skydiverek 55]

We are searching in the forest and found the freebag. Should we look for a cutaway canopy closer to where the cut away took place, or further?

In other words, does a cutaway canopy drift further (with the wind) than a freebag?

(He pulled the reserve two seconds after cutaway, just to add).

[mjosparky 3]

The main canopy presents a larger surface area to the wind with less weight in comparison. The free bag has very little surface area and the pilot chute is relative heavy. Look for the main further down wind.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[obelixtim 100]

If some of the cells on the main stayed inflated even for a short time, the main would drift further.

If someone had a eyeball on them as they descended, the main should be on the same line as the freebag.

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....

[IJskonijn 38]

For a cutaway that I've experienced (I was on the ground at the time), the main landed right on top of us, and the freebag was stuck in some trees upwind.

[shropshire 0]

Mine was very close ... but then it was still in the DBag

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[dqpacker 7]

i've seen freebags come down floating with the pc inflated and i've seen them fall spring down and not much drift.

[labrys 0]

Quote

In other words, does a cutaway canopy drift further (with the wind) than a freebag?

Usually. Look down the wind line from the freebag. the windier it was, the farther it will usually be.

Owned by Remi #?

[JerryBaumchen 1,048]

Hi skydiverek,

Quote

In other words, does a cutaway canopy drift further (with the wind) than a freebag?

Based upon my own droptesting experience, as my attorney son would say, "It depends."

I have had these happen:

1. The reserve pilot chute stays inflated and comes down much slower than the main.

2. The reserve pilot chute stays upside-down & below the free bag and comes down faster than the main.

3. The main stays 'somewhat' inflated and comes down slower than the reserve parts.

4. The mains folds up into a ball, spins, twists and comes down faster than the reserve parts.

Does that answer your question?



JerryBaumchen

[crotalus01 0]

The main 'should' be on the windline up or downwind from where the freebag was found. In my experience usually further downwind. Can you do a hop and pop over where the freebag was found?

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

[skydiverek 55]

I can, in 5 days...

[crotalus01 0]

Our best guy at recovering cutaways always marked the spot where the freebag landed, determined the windline and walked straight up and down the windline from that point. Im guessing he had a recovery rate of 96 percent plus (not including baglocks). Hop and pop might help but obviously better the sooner you could do it.

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...

[JohnMitchell 14]

dqpacker

i've seen freebags come down floating with the pc inflated and i've seen them fall spring down and not much drift.

My thoughts exactly.

[SkymonkeyONE 3]

Google Earth is a tremendous tool for locating missing mains and freebags. It's SO MUCH EASIER to plot a line on a smart phone from the landing area to where you found the first piece, then walk either upwind or downwind from that point using the GPS function.

Chuck