bsrodeo540

I have had random off-heading here and there on EVO once in a while, mostly attributed to packing and in line with any other opening, but have never experienced anything like that photo shows. In general my impressions from EVO openings is exactly as somebody above mentioned - they are actually not 'slow', I would call them fairly quick - as in not loosing too much altitude but absolutely not 'hard'. Out of all canopies I have jumped before, EVO had the most consistent and drama-free openings, including the original Odyssey. In fact I have a habit of rolling both my nose cells and tail when packing and, subjectively, feel like some of my off-headings are due to that as well. A buddy of mine jumped a similar EVO in Russia and never bothered with this kind of stuff, from what I saw his openings are smoother than mine. Below is a link to a short video that shows a few openings. Although most are sub-terminal, one or two are terminal, and from my experience the only difference I noticed between the two is the speed of the opening sequence, while the overall opening staging is the same regardless. I am not questioning your experience by any means, just sharing mine. One thing to note here is EVO likes heavier WL. I was jumping it at around 1.8 and it is the lowest you should put on it, ideally it loves 2.0+ and you should really get all it's juices and performance at 2.5. Not sure what kind of WL is coming from those reports you are mentioning, but it possibly could be due to underloaded canopy. Now, why I am mentioning all that is that because I did in fact experienced exactly the console openings you are mentioning on the original Odyssey loaded at around 1.6. Although again, over a 100 jumps I made on it, I probably had 2 or 3 total but I know what you are talking about. One of them was a very hard opening with end cells inflated fast and center cells refusing to inflate at all. Thought about chopping for a second until I popped the toggles and center cells finally inflated. I wasn't the one who packed it for that jump, so attributed it to a sloppy pack job.

I remember that happening on the original Odyssey, although not often and mostly when I relied on packers, but never had that happen on EVO.

I have an Odyssey EVO 105 with only 100 jumps on it (99 to be exact) if you’re interested, it’s a great canopy! Recently downsized but didn’t have time to post it, I find Skylark are not that popular in North America so was thinking to post it on European pages. In terms of pack volume, it supposed to be “one size up”. While I have not jumped standard PD canopies, before EVO 105 I jumped a standard Odyssey (not EVO) 120 and it felt like they packed the same, maybe EVO a bit smaller (so maybe like 110-115 “standard”). PS, mine comes with both standard and a removable slider /full RDS. It’s actually packed in a separate dbag right now, so probably can measure it somehow for you.

Totally not in the loop as far as how these qualifications work, but here’s one “out there” idea for a high-tech age. Develop a database with login credentials, save a video for every qualifying jump for a AFFI candidate (not only successful but failed ones as well). Then if something goes wrong down the road - it’d be easy to review if that instructor actually passed all requirements and who signed off for that. A step further would be to make a system where X number of independent examiners have to review the videos and ‘pass’ the candidate (e.g. 5 to review, 4 out of 5 to pass, or 10 to review, 6/7/8/9/10 of of 10 to pass). This would ensure a permanent record, a more unified approach towards standards required to pass and virtually eliminate any questions regarding qualifications of any given AFFI. It may or may not be difficult to implement for reasons I don’t know. As I said, just poppped into my mind, decided to share.

Almost any mal that has ever happened could have been avoided one way or another. That’s not the point.

One more reason to jump with bigger reserves, in case when every square inch of fabric over your head counts..

I agree with all of that, but was wondering if I am missing something. On that note, I am looking for recommendations for a 'best' modern rig brand/model/size that would hold 90 crossbraced with a 143 standard reserve (not an LV)? If such combo is hard to come by, then perhaps 126 reserve? I have not done much research yet, just want to get a general feel and opinions from anyone who happen to jump a similar combo. Edit - I am currently jumping a 105 main that packs a little bigger (maybe a 115) with a 150 old(ish) Microraven reserve. My rig is sized so that I can't go any lower on the main and my reserve fits tight, so looking to switch pretty soon to something that would give me room to downsize to a 90(ish) crossbraced with a 143/126 reserve that isn't packed too tight (but not loose either).

What’s everyone’s opinion on small reserves? I get it it’s all relative and I heard an opinion that ideally reserve should be close to the size of the main, which supposedly should be easier to deal with in the event of double out, but personally I’ve been reluctant to downsize my reserve, rig specs permitting. I’m flying 105 main with a 150 reserve now, I’m a smaller dude so might consider 126 in the future, but overall my attitude is that my reserve is my last line of defense and so far I can’t justify the benefit of a smaller and slicker rig at the expense of reduced safety (i.e. spinning linetwists). I guess it also is somewhat discipline-specific?

Need more info to answer. “Swooping” is a broad term these days. Short answer is Ody EVO. The wing loves to be loaded though, I’m flying 1.8 and it’s arguably it’s starting range. Katana will dive more (probably) due to steeper trim, but EVO is a another generation, dives are super consistent and (again, an assumption) will carry the energy better and longer due to a number of innovative design elements.

Yes, I would. Directly from their website: "Odyssey Evo is a great example of how Evo platform raises the bar for non-cross-braced canopies to the level of ultra high performance wings". I have to note here that what they refer to "ultra high performance" mainly applies to high wingloading over 2 and even closer to 2.5. This wing is a great stepping stone to CB canopies and flies great at lower WL around 1.8-2.0 (I fly it at 1.8 and that's exactly why I went with this canopy). IMHO there is no point in loading it lower than that. From what I know so far this wing loves to be loaded though and full potential is realized at high WL.

No they don't and pictures they have are not at an angle to see the planform, but it is schuemann -

Skylark Odyssey Evo

??? Really? Did you actually try to stall it? I find some wings give you much stronger “toggle resistance” earlier than others but often it’s deceptive and the wing wouldn’t stall till much deeper/later. Also doesn’t it mess it with your FR inputs? Sorry never flown a fully CB wing yet, just curious

Thanks a lot for the feedback man, really helps!

How does it perform on a lighter wingloading (around 1.8)? I am currently jumping the original Odyssey 120 at around 1.55 and feel like it's not loaded enough, flies great and overall great canopy, but I would like a bit more oomph out of it. So considering either getting another Odyssey 110 (1.7 WL) or Odyssey EVO 105 (1.8). How would these two canopies compare? This season i started to dedicate more jumps specifically to canopy flight and taking canopy courses, next season's plan is to dial in those 90's and make a transition to 270's by the end of the season, so looking for an appropriate canopy for the goals. My thinking is that Evo 105 should be a good transition canopy to a crossbraced canopy after a couple of seasons (as in Evo 105 - crossbraced 90 for example) as getting anything over 90 would mean WL less than 2.0 which is not optimal for crossbraced. But I am not sure if Od-120 to Evo-105 is a good step. Would love to hear your opinion.

Had the same problem with magnetic keeper. Put slider tabs on the risers but they only hold the front side down (and still not ideal). After a bit of research went on with the ball/elastic band approach, but a bit modified - I have a ball on the top of the yoke and installed a small loop on the bottom of my slider (at the center) to put an elastic band in (regular stow band cut in half to be able to easily break in case of a chop) - I am loving it! I don't even collapse my slider anymore - after opening pull on the center of the slider, roll it around itself 2 or 3 times and put the elastic band on the ball behind your back - very tight and I practically forgot about that annoying slider. Plus, don't need to do anything with the slider before you pack - just take the band off the ball - ready to pack. Ordered my new canopy with a removable slider before I tried this setup, now thinking I should have gotten a regular slider and simply do the same thing.. Here's a recent video, just scroll to 1:04 to see what I mean: Edit to add: I understand you are talking about detachable slider, the setup I'm explaining will solve the issue without needing to collapse it.

I am wondering what is a good camera for recording landings from LZ? With so many available I'm looking for something affordable but don't want to miss out on required specs. I know it has to have a good optical zoom, anything else? And for the zoom - what is good? X5? X10? X40? Don't want to overpay for features I don't need.. Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

Interesting topic. When I first moved from rounds to squares, and before I learned how to PRO and eventually psycho pack, I used to flat pack. In that packing sequence, the entire canopy was folded into a d-bag wide "sausage" with its top end into the d-bag before I even move the slider up right before s-folding everything into the bag. While I did quarter the slider and tucked its center into the pack job, I used to grab its quarters sticking out in between the line groups and WRAPED THOSE AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE PACKJOB pulling those upwards a bit to ensure slider grommets are against the stops at all times. So, essentially my slider was covering the bottom of my pack job and not the other way around, so the slider was always the first thing exposed during the opening. Can't remember having any problems with openings with that method. Not taking any sides here - just something I forgot about and this thread brought this up to my attention. I do find it interesting though that PD explicitly shows SE pack job as "WRONG" - given their unparalleled reasearch and testing capacity I never questioned their recommendations.

When you're flying internationally with your rig in a carry on and border security asks you to open your reserve: https://youtu.be/31g0YE61PLQ Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

Great videos and awesome explanation! Thanks a lot! Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

Got it, thanks for the input bud! Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

Sorry, forgot to answer this part. Well, I am trying to do all my canopy exercises with my wing/harness setup being the same as my landing configuration. You are practicing stalls to drive into your muscle memory exactly where that point is and not to overdo with it when performing your landing. My stall point with my chest strap tight might be a bit different. Also, I find with my chest strap lose I have less likelihood of linetwists, or at least less severe linetwists. The linetwists I get are not as severe as on the video mentioned above and I kick out of those much faster, and that could be different if my risers were closer together. There are a few other reasons why you might possibly need to chop a canopy that opened and flew normally, even without deliberate stalls, and since I am flying my canopy with my chest strap lose I was wondering about the risk of falling out of the harness if this happens. Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

Deimian, my line of though is exactly like yours as I too loosen my chest strap only after popping my toggles as a last step and exactly for the same reasons. Although technically even with brake line problems (depending on severity and my canopy behavior of course) I should be able to pilot and land my canopy on rear risers, I am not yet comfortable with the technique and this is also in my list of things to practice on. As for practicing stalls, I am not doing it "out of boredom". I am getting more into canopy piloting and this is a standard exercise you should be able to do on any new canopy you are flying. The only thing I am not so sure about is whether I should take it to the extreme and fully stall my canopy (which results in uneven recovery and possibility of linetwists) or simply get my canopy to the stall point to feel where it is and get it back flying right away without fully stalling it. My understanding was that I should be able to perform a controlled full stall of any canopy I am piloting but I might be wrong. And yes, of course by "low" I mean "lowest safe altitude". I stop all messing around at 600 m. Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

intentional stall, unintentional uneven input and linetwists.. Sorry, I don't get the reference.. I actually don't know if it's uneven toggle input or something else.. I used to do full stalls no problem and fly my canopy backwards (we called it "butterfly") until bored or low. On my current canopy, which is admittedly smaller then the others I tried it on, I get consistent surges of the canopy to the right (right side of the tail stalls and goes backwards before the left one, so asymmetrical stall resulting in the linetwists). I actually try to pay attention to make my input even, however get the same result every time. Here's a video that is not mine but I get exactly the same thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWlXR0w_meo And coming back to the chest strap thing, is that a valid concern and if it is, how to minimize/eliminate that risk? Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?

That's a good point, however that I am less concerned about since this is something that can be rehearsed (as Brian mentions in the video). I am not sure I can rehearse "not falling out of my harness" part. Every life comes with a death sentence. Until then, who's in charge?