verticalflier

Our ZPX canopies pack at least 2 sizes smaller than our ZP canopies. We always compare our own since our competitors have chosen to measure their canopies in quite different ways. Hence so much confusion among skydivers. Will Pilot 168ZPX pack smaller than Sabre 170? Yes, though Pilot 168 has more square footage than Sabre 170. I have packed Pilot 168 ZPX into Icon I3, which was build for Pilot 132 ZP. That was an easy pack job as before putting 168ZPX in I3 I packed Pilot 188ZPX in it. The true advantage of ZPX fabric is that it lets you get more air out of canopy. This way you can pack it in smaller dbag. If you like Pilot's performance don't settle for anything less. It is an awesome canopy and after seeing it up against all other semi-elliptical canopies out in the field, I can say without any doubt, none of them even come close.

Answer to your question is simple. Pilot 210 ZPX or Triathlon in ZPX will fit into your container without hassle. That is what ZPX was developed for no more guessing, no more hybrid half-measures. Check out www.flyaerodyne.com for what we have in stock.

SIMPLE, buy a PILOT :)

Just to bring you up to speed on current and past events. We have been building Smart reserves out of pretty much any standard F111 color. The tread is still white. There are several of color ones in stock at flyaerodyne.com, so there is hope for those riggers who don't know how to inspect white on white. Blues

If your container was build to fit 150-170 main you will have no problem putting Pilot 168 ZPX in it. It will not be too small for it as it will fill your d bag. Les

You are very, very right. At 99 jumps crossbraced canopies seem like to far of a future. Keep on learning and you will get there.

Hi Jerry, You are right HoneyComb design does reduce pack volume in a full ZP form. We really did't know how much, till we started packing mains built out of ZPX. It only makes sense that "F111" form of that fabric will pack smaller than standard F111. We have been working hard on bringing ZPX into the daylight, so we as skydivers can enjoy its cool properties. So far it has been very positive experience. It would be silly if Aerodyne stopped at that. I don't want to start a brush fire, but if you are patient and with continuous support of our customers, we will see some neat products coming to dealerships near you soon. Blues, Leszek

I3 takes Smart 110 or 120. Les

In practical world ZPX canopies pack 2 sizes smaller than regular ZP canopies. Pilot 188 ZPX packs like Pilot 140 ZP. Fpr those who use our Icon rigs, Pilot 210 ZPX will comfortably fit in I5, 188 ZPX in I4, 168ZPX and 150 ZPX in I3, 132-117 ZPX in I2 and so on. On container subject, if you are having hard time with other manufacturers and their sizing just order a stock Icon with custom, built to your size, harness from Aerodyne. It comes fully loaded with options. That means n extra money for spacer foam, stainless....you get the picture. Did I mention that if you order it on Monday you can have it ready for the weekend? That is faster than 182 climb to the altitude :)

SkyChimp, are you confused yet? Looks like you have opened a can of worms :) After reading all comments, it looks that everyone like their own rigs. If you want to make your own choice then my advise is go and demo as many rigs as you can. Ask manufacturers questions and make up your own mind before you buy a new rig. None of the guys who tell you buy this one or that one are going to wear and or jump your rig. You will have to live with it so do your own research and make your own decision. Hope you will get a chance to demo lots and find what works best for you! Blues

If you're being serious, age of the design. It is not the age of the design. We just got it right the first time around :)

If you're being serious, age of the design. Though with recent trends towards low pack 7 cells, maybe we'd see a triathlon2 (ZPX) one of these days? You will not see a Triathlon 2, since there is nothing that needs fixing in the one we have right now, but you can always order one made out of ZPX as it is an optional material.

Douglas, You are an amazing individual. Thank you for sharing a tiny bit of your and your family history with us last night. Heal fast!!! Leszek&Cookie

I am not familiar with Javelin sizing since we rather sell Icon containers, but Pilot 168 ZPX fits in I4 built for 132-150 ZP with no problem. Hope this helps? LESZEK

Please check our stock at flyaerodyne.com There are few of them there mostly ZPX, sitting on a shelf ready for you to buy them!!! As a side note. Our tour have just gotten ZPX demo Pilot canopies and they are a hit. I am so glad that there are jumpers other than myself and few sponsored guys who already own ZPX made canopies and love them. It is an awesome fabric and it has already set a new benchmark to lead the industry.

Mike, the toggle setting (factory made mark) was too short on my demo as well. I made it longer by 12cm from the mark. This fixed the problem of stall right after rears to toggles transition. AS FOR THE POST FOLLOWING MIKE'S:Can it outswoop comp velo? You would need to give the similar size Sensei and Velo to the same pilot going back to back and flying it the same way to see. The ZPX Sensei 81 pack very nicely into Icon I1 which was build for 96 sf non cross braced zp canopy.

I am confused. Are you trying to answer his questions about choosing a Pilot for a first canopy or trying to sell him a piece of a gear that you like? What if he buys it and then finds out that he would rather jump a Racer? The best advice all of us can give this new jumper is to demo different chutes and rigs and choose for himself what suits him the most. Most manufacturers have demo programs and he can easily try different rigs. By the way Aerodyne demo tour will be at Cross Keys during this years Rainbow Boogie in August. J we will have free demo rigs and whole bunch of Pilots to demo including our latest Pilot ZPX canopies so come out and you can take one for a flight.

We did have ZPX fabric displayed at last PIA. It has a hexagonal rip-stop pattern. This optional fabric costs $200 MSRP, per canopy. In my opinion it is way worth it, as I have been flying ZPX Mamba for over 6 months now. I would not trade it back for a regular ZP one.

Stock Pilots come with 725lbs spectra lines. For custom orders you can choose spectra 725lbs or HMA 600lbs lines.

I have almost 100 jumps on my Mamba 96 ZPX. The fabric itself looks great. I can tell more wear by looking at the lines rather than canopy fabric itself. It is still the same slick and thin feel as with a brand new one, same ease in packing. We will see how other ZPX canopies out there are doing. There are few of them with far more skydives on them than on mine.

I have been flying Mamba 96 ZPX since Dec 08. Without making this a long entry, I will say, that ZPX is the only fabric I will have my canopies build from now on. Unless we come up with more advanced one :) This optional fabric is way worth the money!!!

US Tour will be in EU to support 2009 Largest European FS event in Poland June 15-19 We should have our first Sensei demos coming in this month. The list is long but we will be sending them out. Please be patient. We want you to give Sensei a try. From what we have heard from current usears, it is an awesome canopy! Blues, Leszek

I am glad your friend is ok after this incident. As for your recommendation for not buying a Vigil, and this is my opinion only, I think it should be up to each an every one of us to decide what we are using for gear. The cool thing is, that we do have a choice. There are few containers, mains, reserves and AADs out there so we are not stuck with only one. I am not going to debate which one is better or not, they all have their good and bad sides. Just remember they are all MAN MADE :)

Hi There, I will answer couple of issues you guys are bringing up in this post. Customer service at Aerodyne. Expect nothing but the highest level of it. We cater to SPORT part of this industry ONLY, there will be no military orders being placed in front of other orders. Yes we do value men and women providing military service for our country and do offer military discount on their equipment. To make it clear for everyone out there it is a simple procedure. We sell through our distributors and discourage direct sales! Why? To provide you with a better customer service. I hope i don't have to write another paragraph to explain this any further. As for free fly handle: Yes it has been an issue to make the darn thing work, and as you can read in other posts, all rig manufacturers are having this problem. The nature of it comes from stiff flat tab of the handle rubbing against PC's fabric. It wears it out faster than any other type of a handle. I was at our Icon production facility last week and saw a new design for a free fly handle that is supposed to eliminate this premature wear on the pilot chute. Yes we are working on this so please be patient. Last but not least. Your decision to do anything in life, that goes for buying skydiving gear as well, based on opinion of another person should be considered THEIR DECISION not YOURS!!! Why, because you will always find plenty of people on both sides of the fence. My advise is, educate yourself, TRY IT and then you will be able to have a personal knowledge of the subject and make proper choice. But you already knew that, right? :) Be safe out there! Leszek Stachyra Aerodyne US Tour Representative

AERODYNE US TOUR will be on site as well both weekends 18-19 and through the whole TSR. We will have new Icon rigs as well as several types of our canopies in various sizes so come on out try new gear for free and have fun time skydiving.