tbostick

I only had an A license until after 500 jumps. Then I decided it was finally time to take the tests. -shane

ok, now I got it! Thanks... How many data points does a pro-track provide? (i.e. What is the sampling rate?) -shane

I still don't see the graphs I'm looking for... I was hoping for altitude vs time plots, instead of averages for the whole jump.

I'm looking for a graph (alti v time). Anyone have pro-track graphs/data? Please let me know... [email protected] -shane

Your numbers look good, they really do (for the general masses anyway). But why would you ever want to do this? It's like helmet laws, and seatbelt laws. My only motivation to agree with you is that I think too many people are allured by the awe-factor, the rush, and false information. Month after month I keep reading about broken femurs, pelvis's, back's, death... from "perfectly good parachutes". I agree with your numbers, but I don't want to see them hit the BSR's. -shane

I seriously doubt it. Check this out... I flew a canopy loaded at 0.45/ft^2 once. How many people have done that? That was probably my scariest jump ever.

but remember, too much bite in a stow leaves enough loop to loop around another stow, potentially causing a bag lock. Know where your lines are as you rotate that bag into the container.

I've flown my canopy in 20 degrees F, and at 100 degrees F. But is the difference in performance, response time, altitude loss, more or less than say... going from sea level to 5000 msl? I've only flown my canopy between 1500 and 2500 field elevation. Is heat or elevation a bigger factor?

Somewhere in the middle is good. I prefer a light, 90 degree, smooth snap, to get into baseleg, and carve the other 90 into final. Planing out on the baseleg, if it doesn't feel right, I forget the carve, and ride it long. Give yourself a margin for miscalculation, it happens fast.

A longer recovery arc is not necessarily a "forgiving" feature. If we're talking about being able to build up speed at a higher altitude and maintain it, then yeah, I guess so. But a longer recovery arc requires input if you initiate a little low; it doesn't "pull you out" on it's own as quick. When you have a long recovery arc, get that canopy solid and get beneath it with altitude to spare. If you have to dig into the toggles hard, you'll still be comming dang near straight down for a bit. When it aint right, don't make the turn; ride it long, walk away.

To come out of a flat turn at normal speed you have to start with more than normal speed. A flat turn is initiated with toggles or rear risers and induces more than normal drag, which decreases your airspeed. Expect to dive a little, or a lot depending on your loading, unless you initiate a flat turn with some extra speed. Even in a flat turn, remember, you are trading speed for lift. Hence, flat.