My PD canopy demo program experience

[sducoach 0]

Kolla Rules and is the BEST period.

If I wasn't so old, and married, and old, and married, and old, and married, I would run away with her.

Did I say married?????

Blues Kolla!!!!!
Please don't call my wife!

J.E.

James 4:8

[pilotdave 0]

Interesting. According to PD:

"The Spectre flies at about the same airspeed as other canopies such as the original Sabre, the Sabre2, and the Stiletto. Many jumpers do not expect a seven-cell canopy to glide as far as a comparable nine-cell, but at full glide the Spectre actually has a slightly flatter glide angle than some nine-cell canopies, including both the original Sabre and the Sabre2." [from Spectre flight characteristics]

Dave

[Shark 0]

Quote

Interesting. According to PD:

"The Spectre flies at about the same airspeed as other canopies such as the original Sabre, the Sabre2, and the Stiletto. Many jumpers do not expect a seven-cell canopy to glide as far as a comparable nine-cell, but at full glide the Spectre actually has a slightly flatter glide angle than some nine-cell canopies, including both the original Sabre and the Sabre2." [from Spectre flight characteristics]

Dave

That's what John Leblanc told me as well, that is, given the same square footage & wing loading. I have over 500 on Spectres and close to 200 on a Sabre2, my current canopy. I can say that the Spectre does have a pretty flat glide, but rear risers the 9 cell is much flatter. Also, a breaked approach on a Spectre is much steeper than the Sabre2. The flare power/lift/swoop of the Sabre2, however, is un matched. Just my observations. As far as packing the Sabre2, John told me to leave the nose hanging. My openings have improved and are Spectre-like now.

[Aviatrr 0]

Quote

Interesting. According to PD:

"The Spectre flies at about the same airspeed as other canopies such as the original Sabre, the Sabre2, and the Stiletto. Many jumpers do not expect a seven-cell canopy to glide as far as a comparable nine-cell, but at full glide the Spectre actually has a slightly flatter glide angle than some nine-cell canopies, including both the original Sabre and the Sabre2." [from Spectre flight characteristics]

Dave

Well, that was certainly not MY experience with the two canopies, but that may be because of the wing loading. As I said, both were loaded at approximately 1.5, damn near the upper limit listed for both canopies. At a much lighter wing loading, it may be true....but a couple of us actually flew them side by side at the same loading, and the Spectre had to be rear risered to keep up with the Sabre2 in full flight. Slight rear riser pressure not only flattens your glide, but increases your speed slightly as well. With both in full flight, the Spectre flew almost the same airspeed(but slightly slower), but sank at a noticeably higher rate.

The one thing I really liked about the Spectre over the Sabre2 was the recovery arc. The Spectre has a longer recovery arc, which allows the pilot to build and maintain a higher speed for great swoops.

Mike