darkwing

Critical Mass will be there for the competition. Some others from our neck of the woods will be there also. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think we need to be very specific here. Your question implies to me that you mean simply removing two cells from a 9-cell canopy. I think Dan and I both mean otherwise identical, same span, chord, airfoil etc, so that each of the cells in the 7 cell canopy is wider than each in the 9 cell. Sorry if I am not interpreting Dan's comment correctly, but I am certain I am interpreting myself correctly. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I don't think I am disagreeing with anyone above. Skybytch is comparing apples to oranges. Sure you can find examples of 7-cells that fly better (by some definitions) that some 9-cells. I was trying to make a point about intrinsic differences. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Dan, are you saying that there would be NO difference in flight characteristics as a consequence of the lower distortion? I don't disagree with your statement, but it seems to imply that there would be no diffs in flight characteristics, which I doubt you would say. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

no-sew fingertrap -- see this thread. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I think this is a more complex question than you know. To really answer your question as to the INTRINSIC difference you would need two canopies that are identical, except that one is 7 and one is 9 cell. I don't think such things exist in the market. Having said that, generally speaking, 9-cell canopies have a higher aspect ratio, which (once again, generally speaking) will automatically make them fly better (by today's most common definition of "better"). Now to really answer your question -- basically 9's have a flatter glide angle, and a better flare. If they have the same square footage (measured by the same method) the 9 will have more pack volume--due to seam and line bulk. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

It is interesting that one of the most common questions I get from prospective members of my university skydiving club are something like "can I skysurf?" To address your question though I don't think that skysurfing has ever been "popular," certainly not in proportion to the air time it gets on the television. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

fused silica would be cheaper than sapphire but not as hard. I designed some diamond windows once for a spectrometer, but it would be tough to get them big enough for an altimeter. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

do you mean some titanium to rebuild your face with after you faceplant on landing, or something to look through on the front of your helmet, like a windshield? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Generally speaking a canopy that old would have seriously decreased tear strength. Such a decrease is not at all obvious from looking at the canopy, which might even look to be in fairly good shape. On a related note, I'm starting to become concerned over the incidence of "slammer" openings, regardless of whether or not they cause canopy damage. I think we need to start tracking them. It seems NO canopy is immune. Slammers can be career or even life threatening. I am not convinced that every slammer can be attributed to a packing error. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Diverdriver, sorry it "irks" you, which I think is a bit too strong of a response. Partly it is good old supply and demand, but I have also known pilots who ere ecstatic at the opportunity of getting free hours. As long as YOU aren't being asked to fly for free I don't think it should irk you that others are willing to do so. Please don't misinterpret me on this point--I have great respect for the skills they have and investments that pilots make in order to be pilots. In the past I have done a fair amount of rigging for free, just to hone my skills and make myself more marketable. That doesn't mean I planned on doing it for free forever. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Technically Kittinger wasn't in freefall, as he used a drogue. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Generally records are established by location, not the origins of the participants. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Interesting question. Maybe a good thing for DZ.com to host?? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

That would imply that the allure of the hybrid ZP/F-111 reserves is merely a customer illusion (which may be true). I'd like to see some definitive, quantitative comparisons. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

This is an old story in the skydiving world. I don't like it at all, and I think it is not good for business, as it irritates customers. It seems though that there is little motivation for a manufacturer to fix it if the other manufacturers are pretty much the same. Customers for anything are pretty much the same -- "I want my new toy NOW." -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Have the batteries been removed, or have they leaked inside of it and messe t up? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

I have an Infinity with the double-wides, but then I'm a double wide guy. I suspect that much smaller thighs would be better off with single-wide leg straps. How big around are your thighs? Don't answer that--ask the mfr. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

The really sad thing is that those may have been the only two people on the airplane. I'm jealous. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

For canopies made of the same materials, the lifetime factors I think are most significant are: time in sun, amount of dust/dirt around, salt water. It isn't an issue of canopy A lasts longer than canopy B, but of the details above. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Don't confuse "X is not as good as Y" with "X is unsafe" -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Interesting point. I guess I'll ask is there anyone out there who has sent a canopy in for a reline and been told, "This canopy is not worth relining" by PD? -- Jeff My Skydiving History

Wow, I've never even seen anyone lose a face shield. You must do some serious combat flying. Can I jump with you?

Best way to pack - the way the manufacturer says to. -- Jeff My Skydiving History

http://www.skykat.com They'll do ya right. Not to say that others won't, but Skykat rocks. -- Jeff My Skydiving History