Tuiske

I marked locations from paper patterns to fabric with small waterproof pen. You may see those marking from some photos I uploaded. All the tapes are now sewn and cross ports are also done. I cutted cross ports with regular small soldering iron. I sharpen it with file and it worked fine. Here's few more photos... IG @skydive_tuke

This is exactly what I already did 😊 IG @skydive_tuke

I haven't done much since last post. But few days ago I started to cut panels and all ribs are now cutted (still have to cut cross ports). I used 1,5x3m sized piece of plywood for cutting table. I used modified 100W soldering iron for cutting and it worked pretty well. Here is few pics for update. IG @skydive_tuke

I got mail today. IG @skydive_tuke

I agree with you that it could be wise idea to make bigger one at first. But I wanted to set my goal a bit higher. If some day I can jump with that canopy, it is totally ok if I have to chop it. That only means that there's something wrong in the design. I would test jump it with my main and reserve of course. I have read "my little project" and that is one reason for what I'm now doing. That is awesome thread. I also wanted to try that is it possible to make patterns straight from 3d model and that is working fine. It makes many things way easier. Lenghts for the lineset is also measured from the 3d model. My current canopy is stiletto 107. 120 is biggest what I can put to my container 8D. My exit weight is about 74kg so wl will be 1,35 with 120sqft canopy. IG @skydive_tuke

Ok, who am I and what I have done. I'm Finnish skydiver, not a rigger. I have about 850 jumps under my belt. I think now it's the time to what I have already done. And sorry about my grammar errors. English is not my native language. This is short story of my DIY project, whitch is still going on. About one year ago I was watching NZ Aerosport's new video whitch was introducing new Crossfire 3 project. ( https://vimeo.com/122198278 ). In the video I saw 3d model of the canopy design, and right away I thought that I can do similar 3d model by myself! ..just for fun. I was working only part time at the time so I had lot of time to spent with designing things. I set a goal to design elliptical 9-cell canopy. Here's some pictures of my early design: http://s11.postimg.org/vpqro5yqr/116.jpg http://s18.postimg.org/w5m11j5rd/116_2.jpg http://s18.postimg.org/yo7q27rhl/paine_leikkaus1.jpg My main source for knowledge was google. I read some articles about different airfoils and stuff. I also tried to find as much information as possible by analyzing photos of different canopies and also line trim charts. After a while I thought my desing was ready for some prototyping. I decided to built 1:3,1 scaled model of my canopy. Original size seems to be about 100sqft at that time, so my scaled model was ~10,4 sqft. I get an old tandem canopy from my employer and I took pieces of fabric from that. I printed the patterns to A3 sheets and taped those sheets together for complete patterns. For liseset I used bakers twine thread :) Pictures and video of the prototype: http://s21.postimg.org/lros8m0jb/WP_20150926_16_14_05_Raw_2.jpg http://s21.postimg.org/9eby1pauv/WP_20151001_15_05_55_Raw.jpg http://s4.postimg.org/3lrkim4a5/WP_20151002_11_00_30_Raw.jpg http://s4.postimg.org/4ckaoe6nh/WP_20151002_17_05_04_Raw.jpg http://s4.postimg.org/53d0u690t/WP_20151003_19_52_50_Raw.jpg http://s4.postimg.org/42cs51s19/WP_20151003_22_23_34_Raw.jpg http://s9.postimg.org/bnqvrcotr/WP_20151005_20_15_45_Raw.jpg http://s9.postimg.org/97p2di6r3/WP_20151008_15_02_59_Raw.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOGwG7Ln5TU I tried that small prototype only on the beach in a moderate wind. I didn't drop it from anywhere but I saw some small things I wanted to chance, especially in airfoil. I made it an bit thicker and chanced the shape of the nose a little bit. I done all this during my working holiday year in Austrailia. Now when I'm back at home and winter is coming, I have time to continue my project. My plan is to make airworthy 120sqft 9-cell canopy by myself from zp-fabric.. Or at least try to make :) I know this is not the easiest project to done without almost any experience about rigging but I will try. I have already cut patterns and put order in to Para Gear. Pictures of full size patterns: http://s14.postimg.org/e23n82tj5/WP_20160925_19_23_26_Pro.jpg http://s14.postimg.org/3tb6295hd/WP_20160925_19_23_10_Pro.jpg I'm going to write some updated during building process. To be continued. IG @skydive_tuke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd-7u4wyFeY IG @skydive_tuke

This was pretty nice and landing on the beach of cource. https://s32.postimg.org/hgm526s8l/10317767_10152580185949127_1377601008713370537_o.jpg IG @skydive_tuke

If you have your rig with you when driving throught the Australia's outback :D ..you have to jump! One of the most memorable places I have visited.

If you have your rig with you when driving throught the Australia's outback :D ..you have to jump! One of the most memorable places I have visited.