sacex250

I think you're going to need 600 bags, double-bagging for those heavy items.

And, don't forget that saftey should be your first priority when jumping a Stilletto.

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If you complete your profile, your comments will have more credibility.

In what way? I haven't posted a single personal opinion, I've merely referred to the published FARs.

91.307 When parachutes are required.

91.111 Formation flying.

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WL=1.0091743119266054

could have went smaller, but what the "what if's" come into play.

What if? Smaller? Like what if you actually rounded the number down to three decimal places?

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Pursuant to FAR 91.307 (c), approved parachutes are mandatory for flight operations that will exceed 60 degrees of bank or 30 degrees of pitch relative to the horizon. The only exception to this is spin training administered by a CFI to a Flight Instructor Applicant seeking a spin training endorsement (this endorsement states, in part, that the Applicant has demonstrated instructional competency in spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques). Even though parachutes are not required in this special case, it is recommended that they be used nonetheless, if available. If you are engaged in spin training for any other reason, or if you'll be performing other maneuvers that will exceed 30 degrees of pitch attitude and/or 60 degrees of bank, parachutes are required equipment.

It can be thought of the other way around: There is no time that parachutes are required to be worn on an aircraft; the only exception to this rule is that if the aircraft is occupied by anyone other than a required crew member then all occupants must be wearing parachutes if the aircraft exceeds 30 degrees of pitch or 60 degrees of bank.

The training exception in 91.307 doesn't just apply to spin training for commercial pilots, it applies to any training by a CFI or ATP for any certificate or rating, such as unusual attitudes for instrument training.

Required crew members who are the sole occupants of the aircraft are not required to wear parachutes for aerobatics.

In regards to the OP, there is no requirement that pilots wear parachutes when formation flying, test flying, or parachute dropping. I've never personally seen an STC that requires pilots to wear parachutes with a modified door open, so I can't comment on that requirement.

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American Federal Air Regulations require aircrew to wear parachutes while participating in aerobatics, formation flying, testing flying or dropping parachutes.

Out of curiosity, what FAR's require pilots to wear parachutes while formation flying, flight testing, or dropping parachutes? As a pilot, I'm only aware of 91.307 which only requires all occupants to wear parachutes when carrying non-required crew members if the pitch or bank angles exceed 30 or 60 degrees, respectively.

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Take another look at what Bill wrote and try to apply some reading comprehension (look it up).

Bill's point demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the point of this thread. His comment makes about as much sense as a whuffo asking, "shouldn't you pull the reserve ripcord before the cutaway handle, isn't the reserve more important?" If a student asked that you'd all be rolling on the floor laughing. Well, here's a whuffo rolling my eyes because someone of Bill's experience, and reputation, would say something so completely useless; and that you think because he said it it must be important. It wasn't!

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Since we are all morons here, why don't you email John LeBlanc at PD ? Straight to the source...

To quote your own profile:

"And I LOVE telling people how it really is - which usually involves telling them that they are whiny spoiled brats. I also like to rub people's nose into the extremely one-sided, borderline hypocritical statements that so many like to make."

You don't have a monopoly!

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Smaller canopies are faster than big ones even at the same loading - thus the lower loading recommended for small canopies.

The 254lb limit is a holdover from TSO C23c (I believe) that limited ALL parachute equipment to 254lbs. Thus it often shows up in odd places.

The numbers above that are all likely similar loadings, just with rounding errors giving you slightly different loadings.

Perfect example of what I was talking about in my last post. This is a completely idiotic post from a highly experienced skydiver and moderator. It's outright embarrassing!

The 254 limit is the STUDENT maximum recommended limit, the Navigator 260's MAXIMUM weight limit is listed as 336 pounds! What does TSO C23c have to do with PD's 254 pound recommended weight limit for students? Answer, NOTHING!

The inconsistencies on the chart are not rounding errors, and thanks to my "research" I'm more than aware that a smaller canopy is more maneuverable than a similarly designed larger one at the same wing-loading.



I guess I should start planning that scuba trip to Micronesia.

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The knowledge of skydiving is impressive for a whuffo.

I have read and studied the SIM, and I can't find the part about how you have to have failed pre-algebra to qualify as a skydiver. Really, I find it disappointing that something as fundamental to skydiving as the weight to canopy size ratio (wing-loading) would cause experienced jumpers to run for cover. What happens when someone wants to discuss the fuel mileage of their cars?

If anyone just thinks I'm being pedantic (look it up), you can thank John LeBlanc at Performance Designs for that. I've found that PD has the best information on their website, and every article written or video made by LeBlanc does an incredibly clear and thorough job of intellectually discussing skydiving concepts without talking down to anyone about it. I was obviously mistaken when I thought "average" skydivers would have the same grasp of basic skydiving concepts as he does. While I know that other canopy manufacturers produce quality products, I think I would find it difficult not purchasing PD canopies as my first gear.

That said, my OP and my "research" was never intended for selecting a first-jump canopy. I've simply been familiarizing myself with different canopies from different manufacturers, how else does one learn the differences between a Fusion, Stilletto, Safire2, or Omni?

And, if that seems wrong to you, let me just say that it's USPA, DZO's, and lawyers who have determined that I am solely responsible for my own safety, training, and equipment. The shut-up-sign-the-form-and-pay-me-money-attitude of the skydiving industry, SO PROFOUNDLY DEMONSTRATED IN THIS THREAD, requires that I participate in this sport with nothing less than the desire to become an expert in every area of skydiving knowledge. What I don't know could kill me or someone else. It's people like "davelepka" and "likestojump" that leave me wondering if perhaps my money would be better spent on scuba diving trips or building a sport plane. Simply, skydiving interests me, skydivers don't; well, except those like John LeBlanc who clearly know what they're talking about, and can do so at my intellectual level, I actually passed pre-algebra!


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This is a skydiving forum, ask how big a camera you can take on your AFF or how many coach jumps you need to fly a velocity.

Thanks for making me laugh, that was funny. Okay, I'll ask a better noob question:

My exit weight is 220 lbs, would a Katana 107 be a good canopy for my first AFF jump? And, at what AFF level should I downsize to a 97?

There, that'll give Dave something to rant about.

I'm still stuck on why. Your personal choice of canopy should rely more on what you've already jumped, and the reccomendation of the instructors who jumped with you. If you haven't jumped yet, your instructors will deciede what canopy to give for your first jump, and make further decisions based on how well that first one goes.