cobaltdan

I would highly recommend Argus. They are the most thoroughly tested AADs we have seen to date. As a result Atair has changed all our rigs to Argus AADs. And btw we are not sponsored to say so... Regards, Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Actually they fly much better than nylon wings for exactly the reason you mention. We can accurately predict in software which we developed the exact deformation of a parafoil wing in flight. The challenge is getting our desired shape to match the in flight deformed shape. Ripstop nylon is the limiting factor. By engineering the fabric to resist elongation in a specific pattern we can force an overall desired shape. The first composite fabric canopy we ever produced was a cobalt 95. It weighed 70% less than a ripstop canopy and was so strong that no tapes were required anyplace in the canopy. The measured glide ratio was 65% higher than the exact same canopy constructed in nylon. This canopy was displayed opposite the 1902 Wright flyer in the Smithsonian museum and is now on a museum tour with the Extreme Textiles exhibition. We have since under contract to DARPA produced a series of canopies with glide ratios of >8.4:1 ! Cost is definitely a factor. Our automated production machinery is faster and less labor intensive than weaving however our starting point is a Ultra High molecular Weight Polyethylene fiber, know to jumpers as Spectra or Dyneema. This material is ~ 200 times more expensive than Nylon. So the resulting fabric is much more expensive. What makes our fabric and construction process stronger and lighter for parachutes translates to ballistic protection. We are producing body armor 1/2 the weight currently being fielded. As such the fabric is in extremely high demand, and parachutes applications are being pushed aside. We are in the process of adding machinery for higher production, but currently our production is booked for ~ 16 months on government orders. (I am sneaking in a small run of fabric for Jyro to build his personal swoop machine)... We have papers available on some of this work, contact me and i can send you a copy. Regards, Daniel Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

In starting Atair’s primary backer was FESTO, one of the world’s largest privately held automation companies. Having their core technology in pneumatics they have the wonderful motto ‘anything air’. Around the same time that Festo backed Atair they also funded the Swiss company Prospective Concepts. Atair Aerospace and PC had simultaneous developments of wingsuits. Yves Rossi was the talented stunt man who worked with PC on testing their wingsuit. The PC “flying man” suit utilized pneumatic unfolding wing tips. After the PC project ended I believe Yves continued on his own, to build a version which replaced the unfolding inflatable tips with rigid ones. http://www.prospective-concepts.ch/html/site_en.htm Atair continued strictly on Government projects. Now Yves Rossy being a stunt man and equally talented promoter is able to publicize things that I only wish Atair could. Atair Aerospace is a U.S. Government prime Contractor. We are prevented from publicaly releasing any details, video’s, photographs, on contracts without receiving prior permission from our government customers. For obvious reasons our government does not like to disclose information on what special equipment our operatives are using or who makes them. Much of what we produce for the Army we receive permission to disclose, however for most other agencies we do not. The wingsuits that we have on display at the Smithsonian and now Metropolitan Museum actually have subtle changes made to them over any possible Government versions in production. Btw the Aerodynamicist and co-designer on the x-wing is Barnaby Wainfan of Northrup Grumman. A few of his unclassified assignments include: • Flight mechanics lead for US Air Force Hybrid Launch Vehicle program. • Aerodynamics lead for Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (JUCAS): responsible for X-47B air vehicle aerodynamic design, testing and analysis. • Aerodynamic consultant to the F-35 program addressing issues concerning abrupt wing stall (AWS) and high-speed flying qualities. • Wind tunnel testing and control effector design for Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus UAV • F/A-18 E/F Transonic flying qualities enhancement. • NASA Space launch Initiative aerodynamics and vehicle concept development. • Aerodynamics/Aerothermal IPT Lead for the SA-1 airbreathing space-launch vehicle demonstrator. • Led team that designed and tested in sub-scale form an advanced ram-wing scout vehicle. • Configuration team co-leader for AFX concept development. Aerodynamic design, configuration synthesis and wind-tunnel testing of Northrop AFX concept. • Aerodynamic wing design for MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) vehicle. • Wing design lead for the Tier II+ high-altitude long-endurance UAV. • Aerodynamic design and testing of configurations and control effectors for the JAST/ Joint Strike Fighter • Configuration synthesis, aerodynamic design and wind tunnel testing of the ALF/ ASTOVL light fighter. Barnaby is recognized as one if not the worlds leading expert on flying wing design. As to the soft wingsuit on display. It’s constructed of our inventive 3dz fabric, a non woven engineered polyethylene fabric. http://www.atairaerospace.com/parachutes/composite/ Given that I was born into this industry watching Stane, Robert and Jari produce Wingsuits, it was only a mater of time before I decided to test out my own ideas. At first glance the planform is similar to Robert’s SF3, however the suits are considerably different. The inflated shape airfoils and rear deflector are radically different. Most of my effort over the last few years has been going into optimizing the drag cause by the center portion of ones body and pack. This is primary area which is aerodynamically imperfect on every wingsuit (except Jii) and where I believe the most significant improvements can be made. Blue Skies. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

In starting Atair’s primary backer was FESTO, one of the world’s largest privately held automation companies. Having their core technology in pneumatics they have the wonderful motto ‘anything air’. Around the same time that Festo backed Atair they also funded the Swiss company Prospective Concepts. Atair Aerospace and PC had simultaneous developments of wingsuits. Yves Rossi was the talented stunt man who worked with PC on testing their wingsuit. The PC “flying man” suit utilized pneumatic unfolding wing tips. After the PC project ended I believe Yves continued on his own, to build a version which replaced the unfolding inflatable tips with rigid ones. http://www.prospective-concepts.ch/html/site_en.htm Atair continued strictly on Government projects. Now Yves Rossy being a stunt man and equally talented promoter is able to publicize things that I only wish Atair could. Atair Aerospace is a U.S. Government prime Contractor. We are prevented from publically releasing any details, video’s, photographs, on contracts without receiving prior permission from our government customers. For obvious reasons our government does not like to disclose information on what special equipment our operatives are using or who makes them. Much of what we produce for the Army we receive permission to disclose, however for most other agencies we do not. The wingsuits that we have on display at the Smithsonian and now Metropolitan Museum actually have subtle changes made to them over any possible Government versions in production. Btw the Aerodynamicist and co-designer on the x-wing is Barnaby Wainfan of Northrup Grumman. A few of his unclassified assignments include: • Flight mechanics lead for US Air Force Hybrid Launch Vehicle program. • Aerodynamics lead for Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (JUCAS): responsible for X-47B air vehicle aerodynamic design, testing and analysis. • Aerodynamic consultant to the F-35 program addressing issues concerning abrupt wing stall (AWS) and high-speed flying qualities. • Wind tunnel testing and control effector design for Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus UAV • F/A-18 E/F Transonic flying qualities enhancement. • NASA Space launch Initiative aerodynamics and vehicle concept development. • Aerodynamics/Aerothermal IPT Lead for the SA-1 airbreathing space-launch vehicle demonstrator. • Led team that designed and tested in sub-scale form an advanced ram-wing scout vehicle. • Configuration team co-leader for AFX concept development. Aerodynamic design, configuration synthesis and wind-tunnel testing of Northrop AFX concept. • Aerodynamic wing design for MALD (Miniature Air-Launched Decoy) vehicle. • Wing design lead for the Tier II+ high-altitude long-endurance UAV. • Aerodynamic design and testing of configurations and control effectors for the JAST/ Joint Strike Fighter • Configuration synthesis, aerodynamic design and wind tunnel testing of the ALF/ ASTOVL light fighter. Barnaby is recognized as one if not the worlds leading expert on flying wing design. As to the soft wingsuit on display. It’s is constructed of our inventive 3dz fabric, a non woven engineered polyethylene fabric. http://www.atairaerospace.com/parachutes/composite/ Given that I was born into this industry watching Stane, Robert and Jari produce Wingsuits, it was only a mater of time before I decided to test out my own ideas. At first glance the planform is similar to Robert’s SF3, however the suits are considerably different. The inflated shape airfoils and rear deflector are radically different. Most of my effort over the last few years has been going into optimizing the drag cause by the center portion of ones body and pack. This is primary area which is aerodynamically wrong on every wingsuit (except Jii) and where I believe the most significant improvements can be made. Blue Skies. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

The name "Altaïr" is Arabic for "the Flying", from the phrase الطير. The spelling "Atair" is also used frequently. The name was given by Arabic astronomers and adopted by Western astronomers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

skydiving canopies are never trimmed for best glide. They are trimmed for best opening characteristics. measured in best glide a Cobalt tandem is 4.5 l/d. we use a reinforced version of this canopy on our 2200 pound guided systems for the military and have demonstrated flights of over 20 miles. Smaller Cobalts glide ratio will vary depending on the size and pilot. The highest glide ratio canopy we have built to date was for DARPA and is 8.2:1 Highest glide ratio for a non freefall deployable canopy to date is 10.1 (not very stable) Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Have you landed too? yes, and I in NO way recommend. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

highest wing loading live jumped on a comp cobalt has been 4.5 highest wing loading on comp cobalt used in our autonomous guided systems 22 max weight live jumped on a cobalt 350 tandem is 1200 pounds. max weight autonomously guided on a cobalt 350 is 2400 pounds... Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Atair: office phone # 718-923-1709 Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Atair Aerodynamics manufacturers the cobalt, competition cobalt, Onyx and X-1 canopies. What you were told was probably misconstrued from a statement that production of these canopies was shifted from Europe to the US... Nothing has been discontinued and sales has been steadily rising for years. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

QuoteNot to get too off topic here, but when my husband ordered a brand new 135 Cobalt and received a Radical and I called you about it, are you saying you gave me innaccurate info? No, the information was accurate for the canopy supplied to your husband. Atair Europe has since further developed the canopy for higher performance based on customer requests. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

The Radical is being produced by Atair doo, in Europe, and Cobalts are produced by Atair Aerodynamics in New York. According to Atair Europe the production Radical while being based on the Cobalt does have design changes that make it a more aggressive canopy with a deeper recovery arc. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

I made a similar progression from student canopies to a 170 9 cell, same weight as you. Sight unseen does not seam unreasonable for 400 jumps...I would demo a variety of canopies, and you do not have to go straight and demo a 170, try the 190 first and then if comfortable the 170... As someone who loves canopy flight more than freefall i am somewhat biased against 7 cell canopies. Definitely demo a few 9 cell canopies. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Chris, I haven't been following this thread, just now getting caught up on current postings.... People can be harsh in these forums, but know it is because no one wants to see another friend get hurt. If you would like I will trade you a 120 or larger demo cobalt for your 105. Be safe. -Daniel Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

>People who never swoop don't know how to turn low. They don't know how much altitude they will lose (and doing turns at 3000 feet does NOT teach you this.) They don't know how their canopy will recover, how much brake to give it to recover faster etc etc. I agree with your point.....two types of jumpers will get hurt turning low: the expert that pushes it too far, and the conservative that says I will never hook (because sooner or later you will be in a bad position or make a series of poor decisions and have to turn low, and the time to learn is not in a bad situation for the first time) with that said, I do however think that practicing turns and mock swoops high up is extremely beneficial, especially with the right instruction. When you practice high up you lack the close quarter visuals of swooping near the ground, however you can hone your sense of balance. It is your sense of balance that tells you where in your recovery arc you are and hence your vertical decent rate. most non-swoopers would have difficulty performing a 90 or 180 up high with their eyes closed and flaring to dead level flight. learning this up high will accelerate one's learning on landing and greatly increase their safety. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

> So does this make the Cobalt a bad choice for swooping? no, the cobalt is an ideal and forgiving choice at low wing loadings to learn swooping and at higher wing loadings is suitable to compete on. A few years ago Eric Butts competed under a cobalt 120 (he is a BIG guy) and was ranked 9th i believe after a year of competition against a field of all crossbraced canopies, Chuck blue, used to compete under a cobalt as well. It wont swoop as far as a velocity or x1 but a good pilot can get a respectable 250-300' swoop. - Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

the cobalt has a "positive" recovery arc, it will come out of a dive without control input. at equal wing loadings the cobalt has a faster or shorter recovery arc than a stilleto. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

I have about 340 wingsuit jumps under a cobalt 95 loaded just over 2.1 because i choose to jump a small canopy, my hard deck is 5000' to deploy, just in case,. so far only 1 deployment with bad twists, and no cut-aways, yet. i am extremely comfortable deploying cobalts in a track, and they are my first choice for wingsuit jumps. although in general i would recommend a lighter wingloading. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

Mariusz, This is Kathi from Dan Preston's office, replying on his behalf. I have spoken to both you and Peter, and was told that there would be an alternate shipping address to the one we had previously. We have been ready to ship your canopy since last week, and I have sent emails to both of you asking for the address, but I haven't gotten a response from you. I also called Peter Friday of last week and today and got no answer on his number. We will send out your canopy as soon as we hear from you. Thank you and best regards, Kathi Graffunder - Atair Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

our smoke jumper canopy is a specialized evolution of our base jumping canopies. the canopy and valve design has evolved to best suit and account for the different parameters involved in smoke jumping vs base jumping. we worked over a year on this canopy design. i believe this is the first new design canopy in over 20 years to be chosen by blm. we are extremely proud of the results and are thrilled to be able to support our nations smoke jumpers! hotdog skydivers have nothing on these guys, its amazing what they do and what the jump into. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

http://atairaerospace.com/parachutes/smokejumper/ Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

the majority of x-braced canopies were designed to win swoop competitions...although not ALL were ! PDF, Atair and others have produced some x braced models that were more all around to appeal to someone like you given the list of canopies you stated you like... everyone is different in the sport and there are alot of different canopies. the "best canopy" is the one that fits you, your goals, flying style, etc, best. try em all and jump what you like. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

DSM (a dutch company) is the inventor of fiber produced from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelyene (UHMWPE). They licensed the process to Honeywell in the united states which produces UHMWPE fiber under the trademark Spectra, in Europe DSM manufactures UHMWPE under the trademark Dyneema. There are various grades of UHMWPE, with very slightly varying strengths. But basically Spectra and Dyneema are the EXACT same thing. In fact manufacturers use like grades interchangable when braiding into lines. So you may have already been jumping dyneema lines, being told it was spectra... note: Honeywell is slowly divesting in the u.s. market and DSM recently invested $5 Billion for a fiber line in the Carolinas (this was to probably get around the berry amendment and supply the u.s. military. dyneema and not kevlar is becoming the primary ballistic yarn used in the world). so in a few years we will probably see a post from someone asking what are spectra lines and why arent they dyneema? - Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

as a hp canopy pilot i believe you must have a responsible hard deck. i.e. for me it is not acceptable to deploy at 2000'. i mostly choose to jump 'pocket rockets' because this is the discipline i love most in the sport. as such i normally open at >4k. this allows plenty of time to: diagnose and correct for a malfunction, insure I can plan and fly a clean pattern, holding if there is traffic, insuring my safety and the safety of others. Opening high increases my chances of a safe out, should my spot or conditions be off, and enjoy more air time to practice maneuvers and mock swoops, safely up high. So with that said, if your low without time and unstable, deploy the reserve! however given that your chosen discipline is to fly a hp canopy, you should never find yourself in that position. Be vigilant, responsible & safe, do not get complacent. Best statement that was made to be as a newbie in the sport was to the effect that “there are two kinds of people that will get killed in the sport with a hook turn: the expert that gets complacent and the person who says they will never do a hook turn” (because one day you will have to: i.e. a tight landing off, etc… and the time to learn a high performance maneuver is not to do so first time in a bad situation) woops, end of rant. Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)

yes i have datalogged vertical speeds above 80mph jumping an onyx canopy loaded 2.66 this was recorded on our high speed datalogger (much more accurate than recording audiables)... - Daniel Preston atairaerodynamics.com (sport) atairaerospace.com (military)