medic0079 0 #1 October 14, 2007 So I need some advice. I've been jumping a heatwave 170 for a while now, and it has always given me hard openings. not enough to knock the wind out of me but stiff. so I've been tossing the idea of slider pockets etc... around. then I started thinking about it. when packing I roll the nose, pull the slider out over the nose, push the nose into the canopy then pull oll the stabilizers over the nose. this gives me slow opening, but i still feel like im getting cracked. it feels like the initial transition from belly to initial deployment from the bag may be where the problem is as it snivles quite well after bag deployment but I get slammed when it first comes out of the bag. is this a pilot chute too big problem? I also have tried rubber bands, tube stows, makes no difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
punkd 0 #2 October 14, 2007 If its happening before the canopy is out of the bag, sounds like it could be the PC to me. What size is it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medic0079 0 #3 October 14, 2007 it is either before it is out of the bag or immediatly on center cell opening I cannot tell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kenneth21441 0 #4 October 14, 2007 I would have to think that it can be any number of reasons. What size is the PC? Bill Booth has an excellent article in here on how size does matter inref to openings, etc..... I shacle pack most of the time.. that is folding the nose and tail into each other.... that provides me with a good opening. By generally rolling the nose/ tail some and keeping my lines straight and stows small (2 inches).. no problems... Stack/ Pro packing try to roll the nose more... even you can go as far as rolling the cells into the center and further roll one or two times.... this of course will slow your opening further..... Hopes that this helps..... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #5 October 14, 2007 A smaller pilot should smooth out the initial "snatch" portion of the opening. Man, with all that rolling and tucking, it oughta' be snivellin' like a big dog! How old is the lineset on that canopy and what type? Almost sounds like you're takin' a "spectra spanking" on opening, could be line shrink."T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #6 October 14, 2007 Sounds like the way a heatwave opens to me. They aren't known for being snivelly gentle canopies!! But they get worse when they are out of trim, the poster before me may be on to something with the question about the line trim! The one I jumped opened hard, and my own PISA Hornet opened hard too. I cured it by rolling the four outer nose cells on each side and then stuffing that into the nose. That and pulling the slider out a bit makes it snivel like a pilot. YMMV! "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medic0079 0 #7 October 15, 2007 oh it snivels fine as i said it is the initial snatch part that was the problem. i got it with 50 jumps on it and it has always been this way so i seriously doubt lines are the problem Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #8 October 15, 2007 What size pilot chute?"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
medic0079 0 #9 October 17, 2007 pilot chute is 24" zp kill line Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #10 October 17, 2007 I am no rigger but 24 inch zp doesn't sound like it is big enough to be causing your problems, I have been jumping a 28' zp pilot chute with canopies sized from 170-132 with no problem for over 400 jumps."The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjump11 0 #11 October 17, 2007 10/16/07 Here's a thought for you. Why not have a camerman/friend, video your opening? That way, you won't have to guess. grace, peace & blue skies sep Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philly51 0 #12 October 17, 2007 Have you mad sure your D bag is the proper size? If it's too big, the canopy will expand to fit when packed. Even the next size down might slow things down. Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, Shouting "...holy shit...what a ride!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airathanas 0 #13 October 17, 2007 I'm not a rigger but I'll share my experience with my canopy. I have a Stiletto 170, which has about 700 jumps on it. The last guy gave it to me because it opened too quickly. It had an oversized slider on it. It was opening too slowly for me, so I had a regular slider put back on it. After it was consistently slamming me, I had a rigger put the oversized slider back on. Now it opens too slowly, and I have to pump the rear risers on opening because it does not want to come down the lines on its own. I talked to the previous owner and he said that he sent the canopy back to PD and they couldn't find what was wrong with it. They suggested to him that he put an oversized slider on it. So I know it has nothing to do with my pack job (I'm a packer and I don't slam everyone I pack for). So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.http://3ringnecklace.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2fat2fly 0 #14 October 18, 2007 My philosphy has always been 1. If someone has a hard opening on my packjob, it's body position 2. If I have a hard opening on someone else's packjob, it's a packing error 3. If I have a hard opening on my packjob, it's an equipment issue I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
