Amidst a field of canopies to choose from including a Spectre, Safire, Crossfire, Lotus and Diablo, which I demo'd more than any others, the Samurai came out in the lead. It turns faster than anything else [including the "badass" Crossfire] but has NO oversteer [of which the Diablo has so much it is scary]. With a little time under the canopy the pilot gets used to the speed of toggle turns and as long as they do not panick near the ground they should have no problem. It opens normal and on heading [not as soft as the Spectre or the Diablo] and planes well with rear risers for long spots. It's angle of descent is a little steeper than I would like but the performance pushes that aspect way down the priority list [its not as ground hungry as others and is fine in rear risers]. Just don't pull below 2k when at questionable distances... A nice carving front riser 180 onto final and flare, in light to no wind, allows for a good length of swoop and the canopy still is capable of doing emergency avoidance maneuvers low and safe if necessary. My 150 loaded at 1.5:1 could swoop very well and yet still be safe. The air locks are a little difficult to deflate in high wind [around 15+ mph] but they truly "eat turbulance for breakfast"! I will own a Samurai until Brian designs a cross braced air lock!!!
