captain1976

I remember Jim Lowe bringing his home made ram air canopy out to Hebron Airport in Illinois and test jumping it there. This is back in the early 70's while the rest of us were on rounds. Jim Lowe and I had dinner a couple of times an I found him to be a great guy. Regarding the strato star, I had 16 jumps on it and didn't stand it up once. Nobody told me, or even knew at my DZ that canopy size on squares was a factor with body weight. I was 200 lbs. Then I went to the para-cloud and was ok from then on. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Everyone, Thanks everyone who responded for the info. I'm taking the latest advise and putting it back into the pilot rig, but I'm going to make a couple of jumps on it first this weekend, that's if it will fit in my container, which it just might since I have the Silhouette & Spectre and both are 230's. I have a couple of 26 lopo's laying around that would fit the pilot rig, but after some thought I figure if I gotta get out of the airplane there is no reason I should bust myself up on landing with such a small canopy. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I don't think I would jump it off a bridge. They don't land all that soft as I had a couple rides on them years ago. Packing is typical round but don't expect it to open as fast as a square. I know a guy "Gary Freidrickson" who did a base jump with one back in the early 80's. It didn't open in time and we all went to the funeral. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I have this in my pilot rig and its never been jumped. It seems such a waste as I'm thinking about putting it into a sport container and using it as a backup rig, but I never heard of it, I just pack it when due. I would like to know its size and flying characteristics if anyone can help. I presently jump a Spectre & a Silhouette, both 230's. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Shah269, What size canopy are you jumping? A 9 Cell doesn't say much but if you want soft landings you should be jumping a 230 sq ft canopy of just about any manufacturer. I have been jumping for 37 years and being about the same weight as you, I too had hard landings on several of the canopies I tried over the years. Back in the 80's, the squares I jumped included the para cloud's and the cruise air/lite's. These were F111 fabrics and I could shut them down to a tip toe landing every time. With the introduction of the zero P's, I noticed a lot of differences including the forward speeds when landing which forced me to run. Having a bad ankle which doesn't allow me to run, I proceeded to test a lot of different parachutes out there. I concluded there are only a very few models that you can shut down even in no wind. The Silhouette which is made by PD is one of those canopies, however the timing when flaring is critical. The best one out there is the PD Spectre. It's a 7 cell and has great performance with nice flare that isn't as critical as the Silhouette. You can go to their web site and request a demo which they let you use for 2 weekends, even longer if you need it. I actually have both canopies and if the winds are 10 or better, I fly the silhouette and for very light or no wind, I use the Spectre. Stay with it and try a few canopies, but make sure they are 210, 220 or 230, they will let you down easy. Good Luck You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I can't understand some of the negative reviews, but this is a world class skydiving facility and sometimes there is a short wait to get on a load in season which is understandable. I am an experienced Jumper and travel a couple times a month between Wisconsin and Deland. I usually come out by myself and don't have a lot of friends there as I am into canopy flying and usually go out at the lower altitudes. Never am I treated with disrespect or have experienced someone who is rude. Though they don't really know me, I get the usual waves and greetings from Staff Members as well as the other jumpers. Observing the Staff assigned to Students, I noticed an outstanding relationship they have with these customers. Even with the Tandem Masters grueling schedule, they take the extra time to act the part of the professionals they are. Just look at some of their videos on youtube these Students post and see for yourself. The landing facilities are perfect. There are lots of options if the main area gets a little tight with a big load in the air. The restaurant has the best food of any drop zone in the US. The Riggers are also great. Nobody ever mentions Pilots, but being one myself I can attest that they are probably the best team of Professional Pilots found anywhere.

First time there as an experienced jumper. I come by myself and found the staff and jumpers very friendly and easy to get along with. Though I usually go out by myself on hop & pops, I was invited by several to jump with them. Will go there often.