Wing Loading

[Nutz 0]

All this talk about wing loading got me to looking in my logbook. Up until jump 20, I was just barely under 1, at jump 21 I went to just barely over 1, at jump 27 I went to 1.31 where I have been ever sinse. It took until about jump 40 until I could stand it up consistently. I now have 154 jumps. I don't think that I am ready to downsize any more just yet because the flying and landings are still fun. I am sure some people will say that I went down too quick and there are some places that won't let me jump, although I haven't found any just heard about them here. I guess the point I am trying to make is that wing loading depends on the individual and not some magic jump number formula.

[sunshine 2]

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I guess the point I am trying to make is that wing loading depends on the individual and not some magic jump number formula.

Exactly!! Some people seem to learn canopy flying a lot quicker than others. I'm one of the "slow" people. I'm safe and aware under canopy, but i have no desire to learn to swoop or do any of that radical stuff. The canopy ride is fun, but i see it as more of a way to get to the ground safely after freefall. I have a bit over 500 jumps and still load at 1:1.

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meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[nacmacfeegle 0]

My last 800 or so jumps have been on the same sized canopy. If that counts for anything.
And I still feel I'm just about where I want to be for my skill levels and currency hassles...

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[jerm 0]

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I guess the point I am trying to make is that wing loading depends on the individual and not some magic jump number formula.

Exactly!! Some people seem to learn canopy flying a lot quicker than others. I'm one of the "slow" people.

the problem comes in that MOST people think they're one of the fast people... they think they're ahead of the curve and can therefore be more aggressive with their downsizing....

In your case, sunshine, to be completely sexist, women tend to be smarter than men when when it comes to matters of pride, testosterone and machismo, especially when it comes to safety concerns. They also seem to be more aware and accepting of their personal limitations than men are. YMMV

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I don't think that I am ready to downsize any more just yet because the flying and landings are still fun.

Just remember, now matter how far ahead fo the curve you think you are, and whatever numbers game you don't want to subscribe to, there is a SKILL SET that you should also be able to met on this canopy before downsizing, not just that the landings are still fun. Even the prodigies should be able to meet billV's now-famous-list of skills to progress.

Landing without injury is not necessarily evidence that you didn't fuck up... it just means you got away with it this time

[CrazyIvan 0]

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I guess the point I am trying to make is that wing loading depends on the individual and not some magic jump number formula.

That's true, one of my instructors told me that a 150 would be perfect for me for my first rig (I weight 140 lb) and maybe after 100 jumps I can downsize to 135, I'm not saying I'm a great pilot, but I fly pretty decent.

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Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[misterhand 0]

i think im ahead of the curve and at 93 jumps im about due for a case of the 100-jump wonder canopy cockiness that breaks ankles. which entitles me to take it nice n easy with a 190 sabre and 155 lbs exit weight. this forgave me for screwing up on final last sunday...i decided NOT to bury that toggle and try to get it into the wind, eased it out of the turn got it level flared the hell out of it and got a perfect landing out of it downwind...i just kept feeding it flare till it set me down at a jogging pace. it also forgave me for flaring 6 feet too high over a snowfield a few weeks ago. flying mattresses rule.

[poohbeer 0]

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Even the prodigies should be able to meet billV's now-famous-list of skills to progress.

? Don't think I've heard of that list yet.. Got a link for me?

------- SIGNATURE BELOW -------
Complete newbie at skydiving, so be critical about what I say!!
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

[jerm 0]

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? Don't think I've heard of that list yet.. Got a link for me?

sure

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=290215#290215

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=281792#281792

Landing without injury is not necessarily evidence that you didn't fuck up... it just means you got away with it this time

[cgross 1]

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the problem comes in that MOST people think they're one of the fast people... they think they're ahead of the curve and can therefore be more aggressive with their downsizing....

This is very true in many aspects of life. In a recent poll cunducted by Time LIfe, 20% of americans thought that they were in the top 1% of salaries in the USA.
People generally like to think they are a bit better than they are, myself included.

[betzilla 56]

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Exactly!! Some people seem to learn canopy flying a lot quicker than others. I'm one of the "slow" people. I'm safe and aware under canopy, but i have no desire to learn to swoop or do any of that radical stuff. The canopy ride is fun, but i see it as more of a way to get to the ground safely after freefall. I have a bit over 500 jumps and still load at 1:1.

I'm with ya Sunshine. I loaded a bit higher before my broken leg (not from high-speed landing, for those who don't know me