Wing loading

[akarunway 1]

I was always told there was no such thing as a stupid question so here goes. Out the door = you and total gear. Once you deploy your main shouldn't your wing loading be caculated - your main

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[TALONSKY 0]

Well, technically the canopy (fabric plus suspension lines) is holding the weight of it's self too so wing loading is based on your exit weight (you plus gear)
Kirk

[DeNReN 0]

I am not a instructor! I am a student!

Your worried about a few lbs?...damn...to take a "dump" before a jump will not effect your W/L that much

[freakydiver 0]

Huh - never really thought of it that way - it would only be a few pounds, but good thought... I am not smart enough to answer this question tho - come on engineers!!!

-- (N.DG) "If all else fails – at least try and look under control." --

[SkydiveMO 0]

Yep! the only way you're going to subtract your main is by cutting it away. Then you can recalculate your wing loading on the reserve

[Zoter 0]

hmm didnt think about that when I ordered my big reserve.....guess I'll have plenty of time to on the long slow canopy ride down on that bass ass reserve when ( and I think thats the right mentality rather than if...) I have to chop !!

[billvon 237]

Your main parachute loading is equal to your exit weight divided by the square footage of the parachute. The main is included; it has to support its own weight, after all.

[pilotdave 0]

It's no different than calculating the wing loading of a plane. Since most planes store their fuel in the wings, they're a very significant percentage of the weight of the plane. Wouldn't make any sense to leave them out of the calculation.

Dave

[JumpCrazy 0]

Quote

The main is included; it has to support its own weight, after all.

I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight, however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right? The suspended weight (you and rig minus main) is what affects turn rate and dive of the canopy. Sooo even though we are only talking about 6 or so pounds, I think that the effective wingloading should not technically include the main. Does this make sense?

Flying Hellfish #470

[dubbayab 0]

Your worried about a few lbs?...damn...to take a "dump" before a jump will not effect your W/L that much
------------------------------------------------------------
WORD!

[billvon 237]

>I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight,
> however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is
> the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right?

No. A canopy must generate enough lift to counter the entire weight of the system; there's no aerodynamic 'trick' that allows the weight of the wing to not be supported by this lift. If you doubled the weight of the canopy (say from 6 pounds to 12) the performance of the canopy would change a bit; it would be similar to what happens when you add 6 pounds of weight in a weight belt, at least in a steady glide.

[Blahr 0]

Of course.

Additionally, when measuring my total body weight, if I'm standing up I dont include the weight of my legs.
Since they are holding me up their mass doesnt count

[kallend 107]

Quote

Of course.

Additionally, when measuring my total body weight, if I'm standing up I dont include the weight of my legs.
Since they are holding me up their mass doesnt count

So a fat-ass obese person who's sit-flying can exclude the weight of their ass?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[propilot 0]

Quote

>I see what you are saying about the chute carrying its own weight,
> however, the weight that matters in wingloading of a chute - that is
> the weight that affects the performance - is the suspended weight right?

No. A canopy must generate enough lift to counter the entire weight of the system; there's no aerodynamic 'trick' that allows the weight of the wing to not be supported by this lift. If you doubled the weight of the canopy (say from 6 pounds to 12) the performance of the canopy would change a bit; it would be similar to what happens when you add 6 pounds of weight in a weight belt, at least in a steady glide.

Amen.