Alborne

Just seeking opinions on which is best overall canopy. Preferably from people who have jumped both.

Are the hybrid canopy’s worth it? I know the small pack volume and easy packing sound attractive but do they pressurize adequately? Are they rigid enough? Are they only for light wing loading? And what about Areodyne’s ZXP fabric, is it really easier to pack?

Can you hear the alarm in freefall if you are wearing it on your wrist

Wow this topic really hits close to home. I quit for twenty years while I raised my kids, but I never stopped thinking about the sky. This year my youngest started college so I decided to start jumping again. I still love it ! Can’t believe I ever stopped really, but one thing I’ve learned in the 57 years I’ve been on this rock is that life is not always about me. There’s nothing more important than raising your kids, love them, love them, love them. But there is more to raising kids than protecting them. Self preservation is natural, and they’ll figure that out on their own. Knowing how to live is a bit trickier, and I have a feeling that’s where your parenting skills will soar. Skydiving is a gift, and you know that, don’t hide it from your kids just to keep them safe. It’s better to teach them how to be safe in a dangerous world, than to hide from it. Didn’t mean to get so deep, but don’t want you to make the same mistakes that I did. What I did want to say is when you’re ready the sport will welcome you back with open arms, they did me. It has changed a lot. They’re both better and safer than we were. They talk more about packing, and landings, and flight patterns, and they’re better because of it. You will need new gear though, they laughed at my old five cell swift reserve, and it was state of the art when I got it. The gear is better, and the training is better. These kids are doing amazing things in the air, the sport is progressing nicely. But belly flying is still about the same, and they still make canopies that go slower when they’re open than when they’re packed, so don’t be intimidated by the changes. But don’t wait too long, a happy parent is better than a grumpy one.

Anyone jumped a Zulu x yet. If so what did you think.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Sometimes novices don’t think they have anything to offer, but that is not true. Some of these sky gods can land a bed sheet, sometimes it’s helpful to know how a particular canopy treated someone with low jump numbers.

Ok thanks. I had read a few articles that indicated that air lock canopies were superior to conventional ones, and was wondering if it was legitimate or hype.

I too started jumping again in April after a 19 year break. With only 330 jumps I wanted something easy to fly and land, and at my age ( 57 ) I wanted something that wouldn’t hurt me on opening. I ended up going with a Pilot 170 loaded at just over 1, and I think it was the right choice. Granted I’ve only put 20 jumps on it, but the openings are soft and on heading ( and I am not a particularly good packer ). It does have a very flat glide which is kind of hard to get used to, I go long most the time, but I’ll figure that out as I get more jumps on her. All in all I don’t think you can go wrong with a Pilot at proper wing loading.

What do you all think about the Big Air Lotus

That is awesome. I’m basically in the same boat I made 300 jumps back in the early 90’s and I’m looking to get back in the sport this spring. Already bought a new rig. Several riggers just laughed at me when I asked if they would pack my old 5 cell swift reserve. I can’t wait to get back in the air hopefully there won’t be anymore Dead Walrus sightings.

Does anyone know if High Performance Research, the makers of the Nitro and Blade, is still in business? When I search for them on Google nothing comes up.

Are there differences in the design of an older Pilot vs. a new one. I know the fabric changes but do they tweak the design of the canopy over the years without changing the name? This question goes for any canopy really.