Velocity

I live in a city which is about 7600 ft above sea level and have landed my stilettos 120 and 107 without a problem, but of course making my swooping turns much higher than when I'm at sea level.

I now have a Velocity 90 which I really like and have made 40 jumps on it but on dropzones between sea level and 2000 feet. My question is, has anyone landed a velo 90 or any velo at high altitude dropzones? Is it ok? Any advice (aside from "don't be a dumbass", or anything like that)? I have some exhibition jumps tomorrow and I'm debating if I should jump the velo or one of my stilettos.
Thanks

Having jumped Sabre 170, Sabre 150, Sabre 135, Stiletto 135, none of the above compared to Velo 120 I just demo'ed over the weekend. Even with just 90 carve, which is what Lodi allows these days, it screamed across the sky. Two greatest things about Velo is that it does NOT plane out at the bottom of the arc, which means I can take my time flattening out at optimum height. With other canopies I have swooped, the arc had to be just about perfect, therefore less room for error. When I found myself slightly low on one of the turn, a slight tap on the brake was all it was needed to correct the angle. The response was incredible. Ideally, a good swooper should never turn too low, but almost almost everyone does once in a great moon, and when it does happen, the correction is incredibly responsive. It's definitely not a canopy for a beginner, since piloting to the ground has to be close to perfect, but for an established swoopers, it really can't get much better than this - fast, responsive, long recovery arc, excellent plane, tip toe landing. I am ordering my custom color next week. Yea! BTW, my wing load was around 2 to 1.

Lot's of fun. Actually would have rated it a 4.8 if PD's service wasn't so spectacular. Called and got the demo instantly. Had it within two days. Put nine jumps on it the first weekend. Then got weathered out on the following. Now keeping it for another week (thank you PD). Was flying a Cobalt 135 around 1.6 all season. First jump (after the most discraceful pack job) and it opens so soft and on heading. Very rigid in the air. Listening to the sound of the speed changes after dives was very informative. The recovery arc was excellent (very long and predictable). Still flies like an eliptical. Turns are quite responsive. Comparable to a stiletto with a faster glide, longer recovery arc and significantly less riser pressure. Front riser pressure is about the same as my Cobalt, maybe slightly stiffer. Rear risers are EXCELLENT. Very predictable due to light pressure. Really "cushy" and forgiving if you're already familiar with rear risers landings. Long swoops nice shut down. According to DZ.com forums, the best WL is between 2.0 and 2.5, based on either speed or swoop distance. Looking forward to trying something within that range next season.

This is the second time I have demoed the 103 Velo from PD...the first time I had no business flying this monster of a canopy...the second time with a bit more time with my mentors and some time on an FX I really got the knack of it...the openings can be squirrelly at times...but most of the time they are wonderful...I cleared the pond at the ranch twice on rears landed it off twice and no problems what so ever....long spots can be handled easily with some rears input it trims out really nice and gets you home....

Thanks PD

The PD Velocity has to be THE smoothest flying canopy i've ever experienced. I have had the opportunitiy jump a 96, 90, and 84 at various loadings from 2.1-2.5 and it's an experience that can barely be described.
Also, coming from an Icarus (xfire, VX, JVX) background I found the transition to be fairly easy, though flying styles of the two different brands are definitely noticable. The Velocity is just a more pilotable canopy allowing you greater range from slow speed flight to high speed flight no matter what inputs one uses. And the openings, the openings are butter. smooth, relatively on heading, and predictable. my favorite thing to do with my Velocity, no matter what size, is to rip across a pond and lay the wing over in a nice super smooth carve that feels like you're a fighter pilot. the sensation simply put is fantastic.
lastly, the customer support of PD is by far the best in the industry. the products of the various companies out there might be similar in performance or price, but the support behind the product is not. PD has the backing to help you get through any maintenance issues or any other concern their customers have. That right there should be reason enough to go with PD and the Velocity, because why get hassled around for 6 months for the "latest and greatest" when you can go with a company that will back you no matter what the situation. Go with PD!

Well, after a few years and a number of jumps on a velo 103, 96, 90 and 84, I can honestly say that this is my favorite x-braced wing on the market.

Great for a beerline swooper with the right skills and spectacular as a competition canopy, it stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Not only is the performance equal, or better, to anything on the market but it is backed by a company that has, in my opinion, some of the best service in the industry.

After 4.5 years of flying Performance Designs products and the Velocity, I just couldn't recommend anything else to anyone. A great product, backed by a great company.

PD has a great demo program if you're interested but unsure. Don't be afraid to call them as they will help guide you to the right canopy size, and type, for your goals.

Blues.

Feels like a f-1 car,going fast,i mean fast.It's beautiful,response is great,looooooong swoops (that's great!),nothing to complain about it,nothing compares.Can PD improove this canopy?I don't know...cos it's already prefect.This is perfect and I'm not even bored.

A reliable and "lot of fun" canopy, when you are able to provide good/relaxed body position during the canopy opening sequence. Amazing increase of speed on long turns. As it is with every kind of "race horses", you have to be experienced and be aware of the zero tolerance for errors when you use it. If you are in this group of skydivers, that canopy was made for, it should be your choice. High quality.

This added in 08/2005:
Having about 650 jumps on this canopy now, one reserve ride (twists, spiralling). I find this canopy still great, but ... you'll find out immediately, when you fall back to old behaviours in the opening sequence. Hints on packing in the forum were very helpful to improve opening. Tremendous change in flight characteristics, after I had replaced the line set after 530 jumps according to manufacturer's requirements. Also doing AFF with it. In deep brakes, the Velocity will bring you all the way home (nearly).

All I have to say is you better be ready for this! If you don't intend to fly aggressively, hook, dive, and swoop- DO NOT BOTHER! This baby was designed to go big or go home! The dive after a hard front riser hook is better than anything I have experienced! Hear the speed as you scream towards the ground! Levels out nicely with rear riser input to a sweet, long surf! This is one awesome canopy!!!!

I LOVE THIS CANOPY! I've put roughly 50 jumps on a Velocity 79 and 25 on the Velocity 75. All I can say is that I am just as happy doing hop'n'pops from 3,000 ft. with this canopy as I am freefalling from 14,000 ft. It's fast with the longest swoops I've ever experienced. Powerful flare that's quite responsive. It's the most ground hungry canopy available, and that final turn on the front risers? Awesome! This parachute is addictive, it's no wonder it's the new record setter in the longest swoop. The openings are predictive every time, unlike the Icarus FX. The Velocity shows why PD is the best in the world.

love this canopy,got a 1000 jumps on a 79,and a 132 on a 84. Secret to opennings is relax in the harness and let it do it's thing.Open a little higher than usual,because this canopy is a rocket,and alot of fun,and you need some room to put it threw it's pases.

I have made roughly 200 jumps on velocity's of varying sizes. My exit weight is 168 pounds. So far, I've jumped the 96, 90, and 84.
OPENINGS- smooth, soft, and on heading for the most part. The 96 danced a little on inflation, with the 90 it was less noticeable. The 84 opens perfectly. I think this is due to slider size and wing loading. You have to put some weight under this thing to get it to inflate. I average my deployment distance at about 700ft. However, I have had openings that took well over 1200ft, so be ready.
IN BRAKES- very controllable with harness input.
FULL FLIGHT- extremely ground hungry. The velocity has a very steep glide angle.
TOGGLE TURNS- not as quick as a stiletto. There is a lot of altitude loss if turns are made with only one toggle. I would compare toggle turns on a velocity to shallow front riser turns on a stiletto. You will most likely spend the entire landing pattern in half to three quarter brakes.
REAR RISER FLIGHT- soooo much fun. Its like flying a jet. By mantaining a high rate of speed and translating that speed into lift will leave you begging for 12,000ft hop n pops.
FRONT RISER APPROACHES- be ready to fall out of the sky. Even the smallest amount of front riser input results in a HUGE altitude loss. The pull out arc is enormous. Much larger than the Icarus FX. I beleive this is due to the longer line set. The velocity will not pull to a flat glide after a dive, toggle or rear riser input is necessary.
SWOOPS(w/ toggles)- long and fast. Not much running involved if you don't abuse you flare power.
SWOOPS(w/ rear risers)- eye watering speed is all I have to say. This style of landing should only be attempted by skilled, current pilots. If you are unsure if you are one of them...you're not.
STRAIGHT INS- not my favorite way to land, but achievable.
PACKING- a little thick, but no different than a stilleto. The only thing to watch is symmetry. Seeing how it takes such a long snivel to inflate, most discrepencies only result in a small heading change.

All in all, a great canopy. Not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for the uncurrent. Mistreat it and you may find yourself really low, going really fast, pointed straight down. Just so you understand the kind of speed its capable of, my pro track flatlines on every landing.

My advice to those thinking of trying a velocity: take it slow, be patient. Rushing into cross braced canopy flight is a BAD idea. Remember, if you get hurt....you cant jump, and thats way worse than jumping something more docile until you're ready. I am fortunate to have people like Jim Slaton, Clint Clawson, and JC at my DZ to talk to. There are going to be guys at the DZ pushing small X-braced canopies. Just be sure who really has YOUR best interests at heart.

Soft Landings

After 40 jumps with my Velocity 103 and a loading factor of about 1.7 pounds/sqft. I am more than satisfied with its performance.
It is fast, with accurate, smooth and on heading opening.

I was jumping a Bluetrack 120 for some 1000 jumps, but the velocity is flying on a track, like a train, without too much oversteering.

Of course, approach are fast, but it is flying safely with 50-100% brakes which is quite unusual for small canopies.

Stall are safe, but you need to quickly react, since rotation may develop.

For the opening, just do what PD is saying and you will see the best openings. DO NOT LISTEN TO DZ GURUS AND TRY ANY PACKING SPECIALITIES.

Have fun and be safe.
Jerome

hello skydivers,ich habe im jahr 2000 ca. 100 sprünge mit verschieden grossen velocitys gemacht!hierbei ist zu bemerken, dass ich mich von grösse 120 bis grösse 96 herunter probiert habe! egal was für eine kappe du vorher gesprungen hast....die hier ist wirklich schneller! du solltest schon einige sprünge mit stiletto o.ä kappen gemacht haben bevor du dich unter einen velocity hängst! wie mein werter "vorredner" schon sagt, verzeiht die kappe eigentlich keine fehler, es sei denn du bis noch 1000m hoch! in bodennähe solltest du dann alle fratzen vermeiden und dich voll und ganz dem landen widmen!Merke: die geschwindigkeit mit welcher die kappe anfliegt bringt dich bei einem unfall ins krankenhaus oder ins grab! die hohe anfluggeschwindigkeit ist gewöhnungsbedürftig aber ebend erforderlich um einen langen swoop zu machen. hast du dich erst einmal daran gewöhnt macht es tierisch viel spass das ding zu landen und zu fliegen! der höhenabbau den diese kappe während einer drehung vollzieht, ist enorm und du solltest unbedingt mindestens 10-15 hohe öffnungnen anstreben, um die kappe kennenzulernen! durch die crossbraces fliegt die kappe sehr stabil und sauber selbst in scherungen! die steuerbewegungen werden genau und schnell umgesetzt(ist auch erforderlich)! die verarbeitung ist(like PD ever) superb! der preis ist eine katastrophe(dank des starken euro um so mehr)! ich denke der velocity ist für lande-fetischisten entwickelt worden und deshalb sollten sich normale user nicht für diese kappe entscheiden! ich selbst springe bei 90kg körpergewicht einen VE 103 und denke, dass dies meine grösse ist! denkt immer daran velocity heisst geschwindigkeit und hier gilt nomen est omen!

MY thoughts on the Velocity....
Jumper: Tim Tennant
Experience: 1500 + jumps / 12 yrs in sport
Current Canopy: Stiletto 120 (400 + jumps)
Exit weight: 200 lbs

My first exposure to the Velocity came as I was flying back from a 4 way with Toby Stafford from Sebastian XL. I was flying my Stiletto 120 and he was on a Velocity 96 and we were cruising back together (I'm thinking OK, what's so great about a Velocity)...then he released the brakes and absolutely started to haul ass!! He just came out of the sky!!

I then secured a 96 under PD's evaluation program (and yes, they asked all the right questions to make sure I wouldn't kill myself) and was only able to put about 20 jumps on the canopy and these are my thoughts...

The openings were very smooth but a bit disconcerting as it inflates (the canopy kind of "dances" during inflation giving the impression it's not too sure what heading it's going to open on but generally opened within 30 degrees of my heading).

As an AFF Instructor I'm often a bit long on the spot and found the best way to get the max lift was to leave the brakes stowed and pull in a little rear riser as compared to my Stiletto in which I dump the brakes and pull in some rear riser.

After dumping brakes I found it to be very responsive...scarily so...the turns are very sharp with LOTS of altitude loss....what I call a 3 turn parachute...you have 3 turns to be ready for landing.

The riser pressure is not too high and allows for precise control and if you're using front risers for landing speed...start high due to the rapid altitude loss.

The canopy planes out well and provides great surfs but you must be very, very still in the harness as the canopy will shift when running out a landing. I watched Rickster Powell 2 weeks ago in DeLand and he doesn't move when landing.

My overall impressions are this is one hell of a parachute and only for those who wish to explore the most extreme range of canopy flight. It's a wonderful surfing machine that I'm not ready for primarily due to glide restriction stated above. I'll look forward to th Vengeance.

My other comment would be to dealers or other people selling this parachute (new or used) to someone else...Please, Please, Please check out the prospective buyer and take those extra steps to ensure the person has the background and experience to fly this canopy BEFORE you sell to them. This canopy tolerates NO stupidity and (more than many canopies) will hurt, maim, or kill the person who makes bad decisions.

Thank you,
Tim