Smaller Triathlons at high wingloadings

[frost 1]

Hello CReW dawgs. I asked the same question in the Swoop forums, but i think i may get a better reply here...

Does anyone have any experience jumping smaller Triathlons at high wingloadings, 2.3-2.5 range?

[faulknerwn 37]

That's an extremely high wing-loading. From what I've seen landings noticably start deteriorating at 1.6-1.7 ish.. I don't weigh enough to ever load the 99's that high but I suspect that landings are gonna be tough...

[frost 1]

Thanks for the reply, Wendy, i appreciate the input! You actually took part in the thread i mention in my op (on the swoop forum more than a year ago).

I jumped a Tri-135 a few years back @ 1.6-1.7, it flew quite well actually. But I am in agreement with you suspecting that 2.3-2.5 might be a bit too much for this canopy... hoping some of the crazy CRW folks have tried it and would want to share their experience.

[JohanW 0]

2.3 ?!? You're braver than I am!

I fly a 120 @ 1.8, and that's a freefall setup. I don't think I would want to put Dacron on it, reinforce the nose, load it even higher and still land it. I can land the 120 just fine, but it's pushing the envelope. Landing from half brakes is getting interesting already, I don't usually stand up those. It's still a great canopy, but for wingloads over 2 I wouldn't trust a Katana, let alone a Triathlon; just seems like pushing the overload a bit too far.

Aren't PD doing something with experimental crossbraced CRW-canopies? That sounds like a better plan to me. Someone on here will know about that.

Johan.
I am. I think.

[frost 1]

Thanks for your reply, Johan!

I am comfortable with higher wingloadings, my everyday canopy is @2.8 (admittedly, that's on x-braced canopies). But I am also very comfortable with 9-cell (sabre2) 120 sq ft @~2.1:1.

Also, this would not be a canopy for CRW, it would be for wingsuits. Triathlon 135 @1.7 in my experience flew quite well, but a 99 @ 2.5 or a 120 @2 (what it would be now for me) might not...

The reason i am asking the question on this forum is because i know CReW folks fly a lot of Triathlons and at rather heavy wingloadings... was hoping some were crazier than the average dawg and have tried it at this high of a loading :)

[VectorBoy 0]

Some European CRW teams fly triathalons 99s not sure what loading or how wild the landings. Two years ago at nationals on of the teams used tri 99s for their rotations most of the landings were sliders.

[JohanW 0]

The Tri's Team Teuge used to fly for rotation, 120s and 99s, were setup with *very* short brakes and would land like homesick bricks. But for a freefall (wingsuit) setup that would not be applicable.

I can't recommend it, of course. But if you're used to ludicrous wingloads, I'd say give it a shot and find out if it still flies. And flares. I honestly don't know if it'll still fly like you want to. Let us know how it goes! But honestly, why not a Crossfire or Xaos? Those have the openings you're looking for and can be loaded higher than a Tri, I'd think. (Or enjoy the wingsuit flight and accept the canopy ride under a less extreme canopy and/or wingload ..)

Johan.
I am. I think.

[pinkfairy 0]

Aerodyne makes the Triathlon in ZPX, if you're having trouble packing a 7-cell the size you want into your main container, you might have room for a bigger ZPX Triathlon. I have a ZPX 111 Pilot in a I1 Icon, that's a container that's really for a 99 main.

Relax, you can die if you mess up, but it will probably not be by bullet.

I'm a BIG, TOUGH BIGWAY FORMATION SKYDIVER! What are you?