Canopy loading in metric countries

[RMK 3]

Yes, in good company.

There are only three countries left on the planet not officially on the metric system - Angola, Myanmar and the US.

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[jakee 1,320]

Quote

Mostly curious, but if it means a more arbitrary feel, maybe it's not the best approach

Whether you use the units every day or not, the result always takes on a degree of arbitraryness.

Haven't you ever thought it's a bit of a coincidence that the generally accepted first canopy 'not a student anymore' wingloading is around 1:1? Or that people often think of pro or proper crossbraced wingloadings starting around 2:1? Or the number of max wingloading to jump number charts that run like 100 jumps = 1.1:1 - 200 jumps = 1.2:1 - 300 jumps = 1.3:1 (with some pure size based modifiers)? Or is it purely serendipitous that the round numbers fall in the right places?



(Honest to god, I once had someone try and convince me that 1:1 was the perfect wingloading where everything works best. For every purpose, every skydiver and every parachute. "Really? Why? Can the parachute count?")

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[wmw999 2,292]

Quote

Haven't you ever thought it's a bit of a coincidence that the generally accepted first canopy 'not a student anymore' wingloading is around 1:1?

Of course it is. Whatever we're used to, and grow up with, is "normal."

But at least it's an automatic calculation to reach that fairly arbitrary number when you automatically know your weight in lbs, and the canopy size in sq. ft. When you have to think hard about either one, it's like a stepping stone on a path that you have to go out of your way to hit.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[erdnarob 1]

Here we are : 1lbs/sqf = 4.88 kg/sqm

exemple given : if the load factor is 1.3 lbs/sqf is equal to 6.344 kg/sqm

lbs for pounds
sqf for square foot
kg for kilogramme
sqm for square meter

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[cube 0]

We calculate wingloadings in lb/sqft and use them in conversation often. Just have to multiple one's weight by 2,205 (or 2,2; close enough). Or just use a wl-calculator from google.

Everyone has a cell phone these days, and those have calculators. Not that hard.

[QuickDraw 0]

11 years ago, Google was a second-rate search engine, and a mobile phone could only be used as a phone.

Downsize until it hurts... then go up one.

No 'magical' equation needed.

-- Hope you don't die. --

I'm fucking winning

[cube 0]

May I suggest different solution to the problem:
Get the smallest canopy you can. Then upsize, until it stops hurting.

[Arvoitus 1]

We have a simple excel spread sheet on the wall with lbs/kg on y-axis and canopy size in ft^2 on x-axis where you can look up your wing loading.

All the regulations define the wing loading limitations with lbs/ft^2 so people end up using that definition.

Your rights end where my feelings begin.