I've been jumping a Pilot 150, 1.1 WL for the past 250 some odd jumps. The canopy I jumped previous to the Pilot was a Sabre2 150.
The Pilot is THE sweetest opening canopy I have ever jumped. Sabres (original and 2's), Triathlons, Hornets, Spectres, Navigators, Safire2.. these are all canopies that I've flown previously to the Pilot. None of them compare to the soft, snively openings of the Pilot. Sure, the openings aren't always on heading, but pretty damn close.
Pilots have a really nice flat glide, which makes it nice when you have a long spot. Sure, doesn't mean that you are always going to make it back, but it makes things a whole lot easier. And as for landing off - I've had to do it 3 times and have had no issues sinking it into small areas.
For those looking for a really responsive canopy, the Pilot has those characteristics as well. The turns are the fastest I've experienced. My Pilot is a 150, and it turns faster than 120s that I've jumped. Doesn't add much to the practical flight characteristics, but does make it a lot of fun to fly for those toggle turn, spiraling junkies out there.
One other added note is that for beginners or newbie packers out there, the color coded line attachment tabs make pro packing a very easy task. I use mine all the time when teaching people how to pack - it's a great visual aid.
My only gripe about the canopy, and it will only relate to swoopers, is that the recovery arc on the Pilot is ridiculously quick. It's actually a benefit to those people who aren't going to swoop. The canopy recovers from an input almost immediately. That does NOT mean that you can't swoop them! I don't care what anyone says. I've gotten 200+ foot swoops on the 150 and my WL is a measely 1.1. It just looks scary to anyone watching because you have to hold the front risers until you're at 20 feet! A really crazy sight picture, that's for sure.
Overall, I'd recommend this canopy any time. The quality is great, the openings are the best, and it's a blast to fly even at beginner WLs. And Aerodyne has pretty good customer service, so I've heard (haven't had to call them yet.)
Pilot
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in Main Canopies
The Pilot is THE sweetest opening canopy I have ever jumped. Sabres (original and 2's), Triathlons, Hornets, Spectres, Navigators, Safire2.. these are all canopies that I've flown previously to the Pilot. None of them compare to the soft, snively openings of the Pilot. Sure, the openings aren't always on heading, but pretty damn close.
Pilots have a really nice flat glide, which makes it nice when you have a long spot. Sure, doesn't mean that you are always going to make it back, but it makes things a whole lot easier. And as for landing off - I've had to do it 3 times and have had no issues sinking it into small areas.
For those looking for a really responsive canopy, the Pilot has those characteristics as well. The turns are the fastest I've experienced. My Pilot is a 150, and it turns faster than 120s that I've jumped. Doesn't add much to the practical flight characteristics, but does make it a lot of fun to fly for those toggle turn, spiraling junkies out there.
One other added note is that for beginners or newbie packers out there, the color coded line attachment tabs make pro packing a very easy task. I use mine all the time when teaching people how to pack - it's a great visual aid.
My only gripe about the canopy, and it will only relate to swoopers, is that the recovery arc on the Pilot is ridiculously quick. It's actually a benefit to those people who aren't going to swoop. The canopy recovers from an input almost immediately. That does NOT mean that you can't swoop them! I don't care what anyone says. I've gotten 200+ foot swoops on the 150 and my WL is a measely 1.1. It just looks scary to anyone watching because you have to hold the front risers until you're at 20 feet! A really crazy sight picture, that's for sure.
Overall, I'd recommend this canopy any time. The quality is great, the openings are the best, and it's a blast to fly even at beginner WLs. And Aerodyne has pretty good customer service, so I've heard (haven't had to call them yet.)