Strong Z-PO

This is a review to see if the rating works.

Standard configuration 9 cell that opens great (huge slider w/ pockets) and flies very stable in all conditions.

I use it for professional demonstration jumps...well built, plenty of speed for the size and predictable throughout the entire control range.

Can be somewhat flown like an accuracy canopy making hitting tight spots a breeze.

The Z-po is a great canopy for those of us who want a canopy that's easy to fly. I don't want a super high performance canopy so a Z-po is perfect for me. For those of you that are looking for a canopy for swooping or fast high performance landing I don't think a Z-po is what you need.

I've had approximately 100 jumps on my ZPO-130 with a current loading of around 1.4 now. I should have upgraded to a bigger size since I already exceeded the manufacturers limit. I used to weigh 140lbs 2 years ago but now I've grown to 160lbs.

I would say this is a fast canopy for me. It eats up a lot of altitude during turns. I can churn out nice swoops from this one. Before, when my loading was still around 1.1:1 I can land this canopy nicely with stragiht-in approaches. Now, I can get nice long swoops coming out of a conservative 90 degrees front riser carving turns.

Openings are a bit hard but bearable.
I just had to replace the standard risers to a shorter one (4" shorter) since the canopy "bow ties" with long toggle inputs because of its high aspect ratio. I've had several stalls at the last part of my swoop whenever I try to squeeze out more flare when i used to jump it the standard length risers.

My ZPO is a keeper for me since it still looks as well as flies great and is also very easy to pack because of the F-111 ribs. This could have been a faster parachute if only installed with a semi-closed front lip just like the sabres.

Even "soft" openings are hard on this canopy. I've tried alternate packing methods as well as rolling it up good. Nothing seems to work.