BMAC615

SunPath only sells semi-stowless bags for ZP canopies 150 sq ft and smaller. They are great and control the line extension better than rubber bands as there is no uneven tug from side to side to cause line twists. Also, fewer rubber bands to deal with, but, stowing the lines in the bag does take a little time to get used to.

I second this sentiment.

Hi Tom, give yourself a 3-year plan to get the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to be able to work in the hobby full time. Also use that time to save as much money as possible and buy as much equipment as possible. You’ll want to be Tandem, AFF Rigger and S&TA ratings. Expect to spend about $30k USD to get prepared enough to cut away from real life. As mentioned, you may be better off getting your Commercial Pilot’s License as well and set yourself up to be a DZ GM.

Stop arguing w/ @nwt - he’s a clown.

Hybrids are a good option during the transition away from fossil fuels to whatever the final platform will be. Can existing turbines be retrofitted to hybrid or is it a whole new platform?

Agree. Thank you for the clarification.

I’ve heard good things about the Kracken and it packs a little larger than the Horizon, but, smaller than a Sabre - similar to the Spectre. Smaller suits don’t require a wingsuit specific canopy, but, some people like them regardless of suit size due to their opening characteristics as well as to future-proof themselves when they do get a larger suit. The Spectre is designed to have a long snivel - this gives a lot of time for an asymmetric body position to result in line twists. I will make one more suggestion as to why a 170 Kracken or 190 Horizon may be a good idea: you will likely find yourself in pretty severe line twists and/or landing off more than once during your wingsuit career - it can’t hurt to have a larger canopy over your head when shit goes sideways.

If you’re considering putting a Horizon in your primary container for Wingsuit jumps, there is little reason not to go with a larger Horizon than what you are typically jumping. That’s one of the reasons why they are made the way they are - to reduce pack volume to fit larger canopies into smaller containers because it can’t hurt to have a larger canopy over your head when shit goes sideways. This is from the PD Horizon user manual: 6. Sizing There are many factors to consider when deciding which size Horizon is the best for you. To summarize this process in three words, BIGGER is better. The fabrics utilized in the Horizon’s construction are part of what makes it unique. We know you will love its light weight and small pack volume in addition to the performance of the wing. However, the very things that make this canopy different also demand more experienced canopy pilots to get consistently comfortable landings (when compared to an all ZP canopy in a similar size and design). For this reason, we recommend that you have at least 50 jumps on a canopy (landing accurately and comfortably on your feet) that is approximately two (2) sizes SMALLER than the Horizon you plan to use for wingsuiting. https://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/Horizon_Flight_Characteristics.pdf

Sorry, Sweden! I guess I got it in my head that it’s in Switzerland because that’s where you’re from :)

I’m excited to see the diagonal tunnel project coming along. My comment comparing difficulty flying is based on most vertical wind tunnel flights being first time customers, mostly children and inexperienced adults, semi-flying/floating for less than 3 minutes. Based on what I have seen on videos, you can turn a lot more first-time flyers per hour in a vertical tunnel vs the diagonal. Based on your comments, you have a lot more insight on this subject than I do. Block-time revenue makes up less than 20% of the total time in vertical tunnels. I’m guessing the diagonal tunnel will be a premium experience for first-timers and will require much longer flight times compared to vertical tunnels to give the customers the ability to get connected/disconnected and taste flight and come away satisfied. I remember 30+ years ago the vertical tunnel in Pigeon Forge became viewed as a tourist trap that people did and had fun, but, were rarely so thrilled that they did it more than once or recommended it to their friends. The diagonal tunnel will need to caution against the same fate. I also believe you’ll have a different ratio of first time flyers vs block time. I know I’ll buy several hours once it’s built as will many others who can easily access it compared to Switzerland. Good luck with your project!

I think we’re in agreement that it’s not smart, but, this isn’t an isolated event. I’m interested in hearing from some who thinks this is smart and agrees with the instructors and S&TA of this situation? “I have also seen A license guys break bones under a WL of 0.8.“ We can agree on this as well, but, how much worse would it have been had the WL been >.8?

Maybe. It’s REALLY difficult to learn to fly in a diagonal wind tunnel with a wing suit compared to a vertical wind tunnel. Most vertical wind tunnel customers are children and families that pay an average of $75 for two minutes. The market for spending $1k per hour for several hours is undetermined.

Why are you so focused on talking about topics besides the specific subject of this thread? This “specific dude” is an example. This scenario seems to be prevalent across many DZs and has been for decades. If you are a coach, instructor or S&TA, I’d like your opinion about this scenario. If you aren’t a coach, instructor or S&TA or would like to be a pedant about WL notation or the dynamics of WL in relation to glide ratio, please start another thread. I’d like to keep the discussion focused to those who are rated and give advice regarding canopy choice and their thoughts about this specific scenario to gain insight about the type of advice they give to new skydivers who are choosing a first rig. Are you a coach, instructor or S&TA? What are your thoughts on an A License flying a Sabre 170 w/ an exit weight of 225+ lbs @ 1.3+?

Thank you for clearing that up. Back to the original topic: what are the coaches, instructors and S&TA’s thoughts on an A License flying a Sabre 170 w/ an exit weight of 225 lbs @ 1.32 WL?

I think it’s on you and @Kenzdik96 to provide a reference that glide ratio remains constant independent of WL as he is the one who initially made the claim.

Okay, thank you for your input.

“When wind gets sufficiently strong, you will be standing still with anything loaded at 1.0, but something at 1.4 might get you moving forward.“ My response that you quoted was in response to the above by @Kenzdik96

Okay. Thanks for your input.

A Triathlon or Spectre loaded at .8 is fine and suggesting a new jumper load a canopy to 1.4 for the odd times wind picks up to 20 mph is not necessary and dangerous.

Here’s what I think. I think you made a statement without complete information. “The lower your wing loading, the lower your forward airspeed, the more likely your ground speed will be zero.” Cool, so, on a Spectre 210 w/ a WL of .8, what is the airspeed? What will the wind speed need to be to have a ground speed of 0?

What wind speed will it take for a Spectre 210 w/ a WL of .8 to have a ground speed of 0?

What does the wind speed need to be for a Spectre 210 w/ a .8 WL to have a ground speed of 0?

Then how can you make your claim with such confidence?

What is the airspeed of a Spectre 210 loaded at .8?

I learned all those things in the early 90s on a lightly loaded PD 7-cell and was able to manage. A Triathlon hybrid, Spectre @ .8-1 seems to be fine. It’s not like I’m suggesting anyone do rotations or huge stacks. I think we are directionally aligned, but, not in agreement. As for glide ratio, that’s purely how many feet forward do you go for every foot down. Agree that it will be different in various wind conditions, but, John LeBlanc talks about the differences between a Katana and a Pulse during his talk to the BPA in 2018. I completely disagree about standing still w/ anything less than a 1 WL. Thanks for your feedback, it is giving me plenty to think about.