skyjuggler 0 #1 March 31, 2004 As Brian is known to post here........ I have heard different views as to what the target market is of the Sensei. Reports seem to vary between a canopy which is a little slower than the Velocity, VX, Xaos, to reports that it performs better than them on distance. What is the deal, who is it designed for, and what other info do you have about the canopy. Looking forward to responses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #2 April 1, 2004 The Sensei is a Competition Swoop canopy. It is designed to out-swoop everything on the market. I know that sounds like a tall order, and it is. That is why I have worked so long on it without making a dime on sales. I refuse to fall short of this goal.Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #3 April 1, 2004 WHEN WHEN WHEN!!!!"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #4 April 1, 2004 QuoteI refuse to fall short of this goal. And THAT is why I'll never buy anything but a Big Air canopy ever again. Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerock 1 #6 April 1, 2004 Oooh, I saw Andy jumping a 91 Sinsei last weekend....but he always got down faster than I did so I never go to watch the swoop :< Hopefully I'll be able to actually see it fly this weekend. -Rory QuoteWHEN WHEN WHEN!!!! You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmarvin 2 #7 April 1, 2004 Hopefully we will see some Demo's at the convention !!!!!! I HOPE !!!! I can't wait to see and fly one of these canopies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #8 April 2, 2004 Quote I refuse to fall short of this goal. Crossbraced and airlocked? I see you achieving that goal all in short time. Good luck to you Brian. I say once again, crossbraced AND airlocked = Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yurbai 0 #9 April 2, 2004 hey Brian, why are you making Sensei a 21 cell not 27? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #10 April 2, 2004 I am testing the Sensei in both configurations, with and without airlocks. The advantage of marketing it without airlocks is the fact that PD could build it. I am dedicated to teaching canopy-flight classes, and running a factory would limit the amount of time I have for teaching. It will also cost much more if I have to build it. The canopy is fantastic either way. I am just concerned that the public perceives this project at an airlock cross-brace. I don't want to be accused of pulling a "bait and switch". The fat tail technology distinguishes it from other cross-braces, and makes it a better canopy. Ultimately, I will go with the design that works the best. I am not married to specific structures, just optimum performance. Regarding the question about 7 cell or 9 cell there is a reason. The nine cell has more line drag. I am striving to reduce drag as much as possible. When the goal is speed, why add lines? That was the whole concept of the cross-braced tricell design in the first place: aspect ratio of a nine-cell, with the line drag of a seven cell. A nine cell simply defeats the purpose.Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harksaw 0 #11 April 2, 2004 Sorry for going offtopic, but PD can't build it if its airlocked? Then who makes the Vengeance?__________________________________________________ I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #12 April 2, 2004 The construction complexity of a X-braced + airlocked canopy has to be tremendous. That'd be my bet. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #13 April 2, 2004 You would not loose your money on that bet.Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeedToJump 0 #14 April 2, 2004 QuoteSorry for going offtopic, but PD can't build it if its airlocked? Then who makes the Vengeance? PD makes the Vengeance. It's not that they can't build an airlocked canopy (they do) it's that they won't build an airlocked + crossbraced canopy.Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #15 April 2, 2004 any news on when it will become available for the general public?_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #16 April 2, 2004 QuoteThe fat tail technology distinguishes it from other cross-braces what do you mean by this?_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPsycho 0 #17 April 2, 2004 hey brian, any chance of me trading ya my sam youre working on to upgrade to a sensei?? just kidding, although id entertain it if ya were foolish enough to take me up on that offer................ _______________________________ HK MP5SD.........silence is golden Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #18 April 3, 2004 That is still classified. It's really cool, and that is all I can tell you.Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #19 April 3, 2004 How big will the Sensei be We know I have issues about litte itty bitty canopies I am surviving the 1.45 to 1 Lotus just fine... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #20 April 3, 2004 I wonder how bit it'll pack?! If it does end up being airlocked & xbraced, that thing would pack huge! I am doubting that it'll be made in large sizes.. I bet a 120 will pack as big as a 150 stiletto! :p angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #21 April 3, 2004 A Vengence 120 packs about as big as a 150 Stiletto. Try bigger.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #22 April 3, 2004 QuoteA Vengence 120 packs about as big as a 150 Stiletto. Try bigger. daaaamn! angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #23 April 3, 2004 Brian, if you're talking about a crossbraced AND airlocked canopy....what type of pack volumes would we be looking at? I'm jumping a Xaos-21 103 now, and it packs about the same as my Stiletto 120 did. The Xaos-27 98 packs almost like a Stiletto 135.. I, personally, have not found the need for airlocked canopies....but once the Sensei comes out, I will jump it and see what I think. I have jumped the Sam, but I didn't like it at the higher wing loadings(1.8+)...I felt crossbraced was the way to go when loading that high. I loved it at a 1.65 or so wing loading, though. What kind of flight characteristics do you expect from the production Sensei? The Sam has some serious oversteer when in brakes, and light(in my opinion, that is - some say moderate) oversteer in toggle turns. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #24 April 3, 2004 While I doubt I will ever fly one - it is impressive to watch an amazing pilot fly it. Complicated? I never realized a parachute could be that complex. I had a chance to sneak a quick peak at it on the packing mat one day. Either way, Mike Swanson can do some great things under it._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrianSGermain 1 #25 April 4, 2004 I know everyone is interested in the flight characteristics of the Sensei. You all must remember that this is an ongoing project at this point. This means that I have many versions of the canopy in the air. What you have seen here and there may not be the final form of the canopy. I wish I could test the new designs in total secrecy, but that is not possible. This means that people will inevitably form opinions about the project before it is completed. Until I am granted access to the locations where the goverment is testing flying saucers, parachute R&D will have to deal with that... What I can say is, if the Sensei ends up with airlocks, it will pack bigger than a Velocity, about 5%. It will also cost more, which will limit the market. Only the most committed pilots will be willing to pay $2500 for a Signature-Series canopy built by the Designer himself.Instructional Videos:www.AdventureWisdom.com Keynote Speaking:www.TranscendingFEAR.com Canopies and Courses:www.BIGAIRSPORTZ.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites