Type of Canopy: Sabre2 210-sqft., a semi-elliptical nine cell zero porosity main canopy by Performance Designs.
Wing Loading: I’m loading it at 1.19-lbs/sqft out the door, which comes under the "expert" category according for this canopy wing loading table.
Atmospheric Conditions: Pressure 30.06-inches, Temperature 81-degrees (F), Dew Point 57-degrees (F), Field Elevation 1,100-feet, Wind 0-3 knots variable.
Packing Style: I used the pro-pack method with the nose left open and split evenly, the slider quartered, and the tail wrapped around the front and rolled.
The Opening: I performed a 10-second delay from 5,500-ft before deploying my 28-inch zero porosity pilot chute. The snatch force was low, the canopy sniveled briefly, and then the slider quickly hit the risers. The canopy opened fast surging forward and diving slightly to the right, which was easily corrected with a quick tug on the left rear riser. I wasn’t surprised as this is just typical behavior for an elliptical class nine-cell canopy. The Spectre definitely offers a more predictable and pleasant opening experience.
Traffic Maneuver: The USPA-SIM recommends that each party steer to the right in a traffic avoidance situation. With the brakes still set and the slider still open I initiated a deep right rear riser turn, which resulted in a swift 180-degree turn, and a slight tug on the left rear riser quickly neutralized the turn. The rear riser tension was moderate like the Spectre, but the turning response was much faster.
Slider and Brakes: The slider was flapping as expected but not excessively indicating a deep brake deployment setting, so it was easy to grab the draw strings and collapse the slider with a firm tug. When the toggles were released the canopy quickly surged forward to full flight speed unlike the Spectre, which is more forgiving and subdued.
Front Riser Maneuvers: I made several left and right 180-degree front riser turns, which were easy given that the front riser tension was surprisingly moderate unlike the Spectre, which has a very high front riser tension. This canopy also has a medium to large radius recovery arc, so it continues to dive requiring gentle toggle input to return to level flight. The Spectre has a short recovery arc that quickly returns to level flight without toggle input.
Rear Riser Maneuvers: Simulating a long spot I tried achieving a flatter glide using the rear risers, but found that my arms became tired. However, pulling both of the steering toggles to ear level resulted in a similar glide, and required minimal effort. The rear riser tension was moderate like the Spectre.
Steering Toggle Maneuvers: This canopy has a light steering toggle tension, even in a long stroke, which I found refreshing. First, I slowed the canopy down until it began to shake as it entered a stall. Then I let up on the steering toggles, but I must have done so unevenly and too fast because the canopy quickly surged forward and began a left diving turn. I tried it again, and I let up more slowly on the steering toggles this time, and the stall recovery was predictable and smooth. This canopy does have some over-steer when executing turns from a full glide, which means that you have to use some opposite toggle input to assume a specific heading. Braked turns were crisp and responsive, and there was no indication of being near the stall. Like the Spectre it would be easy to fly this canopy into a tight landing spot.
The Landing: There were zero-wind conditions as I set up for landing, and I hate sliding to a stop on damp grass or having to "run to a stop", so I set up for a comfortable low energy landing. On final approach I eased the toggles down about 6-8-inches to bleed off some speed and slowly flared to chest level during the last several feet gently landing and having only to take a few short steps to stop. I was pleased with the powerful flare coupled with the short toggle stroke.
Conclusion: My first jump under the Sabre2 gave me a soft opening, yet it was diving in a slight right turn. This was easily neutralized with a quick tug on the left rear riser, and then the canopy maintained an "on-heading" flight indicating good suspension line trim, so I have to pay more attention to body position when I toss the pilot chute. The riser and toggle inputs have a lower tension and require a much shorter stroke than the Spectre seven-cell canopy. Over the years I have owned many canopies from rounds, squares, and both semi and highly elliptical canopies. My first impression of the Sabre2 is that it might not be forgiving enough for the 75-jump skydivers, and the younger 500-jump skydivers would probably be bored under it, but a sober-minded skydiver who still likes to play will really enjoy it. I’m keeping mine!
Sabre2
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in Main Canopies
Type of Canopy: Sabre2 210-sqft., a semi-elliptical nine cell zero porosity main canopy by Performance Designs.
Wing Loading: I’m loading it at 1.19-lbs/sqft out the door, which comes under the "expert" category according for this canopy wing loading table.
Atmospheric Conditions: Pressure 30.06-inches, Temperature 81-degrees (F), Dew Point 57-degrees (F), Field Elevation 1,100-feet, Wind 0-3 knots variable.
Packing Style: I used the pro-pack method with the nose left open and split evenly, the slider quartered, and the tail wrapped around the front and rolled.
The Opening: I performed a 10-second delay from 5,500-ft before deploying my 28-inch zero porosity pilot chute. The snatch force was low, the canopy sniveled briefly, and then the slider quickly hit the risers. The canopy opened fast surging forward and diving slightly to the right, which was easily corrected with a quick tug on the left rear riser. I wasn’t surprised as this is just typical behavior for an elliptical class nine-cell canopy. The Spectre definitely offers a more predictable and pleasant opening experience.
Traffic Maneuver: The USPA-SIM recommends that each party steer to the right in a traffic avoidance situation. With the brakes still set and the slider still open I initiated a deep right rear riser turn, which resulted in a swift 180-degree turn, and a slight tug on the left rear riser quickly neutralized the turn. The rear riser tension was moderate like the Spectre, but the turning response was much faster.
Slider and Brakes: The slider was flapping as expected but not excessively indicating a deep brake deployment setting, so it was easy to grab the draw strings and collapse the slider with a firm tug. When the toggles were released the canopy quickly surged forward to full flight speed unlike the Spectre, which is more forgiving and subdued.
Front Riser Maneuvers: I made several left and right 180-degree front riser turns, which were easy given that the front riser tension was surprisingly moderate unlike the Spectre, which has a very high front riser tension. This canopy also has a medium to large radius recovery arc, so it continues to dive requiring gentle toggle input to return to level flight. The Spectre has a short recovery arc that quickly returns to level flight without toggle input.
Rear Riser Maneuvers: Simulating a long spot I tried achieving a flatter glide using the rear risers, but found that my arms became tired. However, pulling both of the steering toggles to ear level resulted in a similar glide, and required minimal effort. The rear riser tension was moderate like the Spectre.
Steering Toggle Maneuvers: This canopy has a light steering toggle tension, even in a long stroke, which I found refreshing. First, I slowed the canopy down until it began to shake as it entered a stall. Then I let up on the steering toggles, but I must have done so unevenly and too fast because the canopy quickly surged forward and began a left diving turn. I tried it again, and I let up more slowly on the steering toggles this time, and the stall recovery was predictable and smooth. This canopy does have some over-steer when executing turns from a full glide, which means that you have to use some opposite toggle input to assume a specific heading. Braked turns were crisp and responsive, and there was no indication of being near the stall. Like the Spectre it would be easy to fly this canopy into a tight landing spot.
The Landing: There were zero-wind conditions as I set up for landing, and I hate sliding to a stop on damp grass or having to "run to a stop", so I set up for a comfortable low energy landing. On final approach I eased the toggles down about 6-8-inches to bleed off some speed and slowly flared to chest level during the last several feet gently landing and having only to take a few short steps to stop. I was pleased with the powerful flare coupled with the short toggle stroke.
Conclusion: My first jump under the Sabre2 gave me a soft opening, yet it was diving in a slight right turn. This was easily neutralized with a quick tug on the left rear riser, and then the canopy maintained an "on-heading" flight indicating good suspension line trim, so I have to pay more attention to body position when I toss the pilot chute. The riser and toggle inputs have a lower tension and require a much shorter stroke than the Spectre seven-cell canopy. Over the years I have owned many canopies from rounds, squares, and both semi and highly elliptical canopies. My first impression of the Sabre2 is that it might not be forgiving enough for the 75-jump skydivers, and the younger 500-jump skydivers would probably be bored under it, but a sober-minded skydiver who still likes to play will really enjoy it. I’m keeping mine!