Quagmirian

Skydiving isn't fun? Fair enough. Find something you can do that will make if enjoyable. Feel free to think out of the box. Make your own equipment, for example...

Can I say thanks for the posts Lee. I do read them, but often go away with a lot on my mind and more questions than answers. It takes time for it all to sink in. Also thanks for the pictures of your setup. It's helpful to have something to look at. On the subject of airfoils, mine is a lot more curved at the nose than the PD foil. I wonder if this could be having effects?

I'll have a go. I think brake settings were invented before the ram air, but the idea is stop the tail of the canopy running over the nose during deployment. Without brakes, the end cells tend to inflate first and the deployment is very messy. Brake settings can also be used to fine tune the opening speed, and as a secondary, reduce forward speed after openings to reduce the chance of a collision.

Can we have a discussion about toggle turns? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFH7vK3vR3E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzRAviKN1Do These two people have jumped my canopy and noted that it flies oddly. John LeBlanc also said that proper testing of toggle turns is important. The problem seems to be a lack of coordination between roll and yaw during the stroke. I'm having trouble seeing it, but then again I would. Input would be appreciated. For some reason I thought it might have something to do with panel shape. I have taken off a PD 210 topskin and so far looks exactly like mine. This only leaves the rib, but I don't see how this would affect turns.

Thanks. It does look like a parachute doesn't it? I am going to take a break from manufacturing for a while, to properly test the two I have at the moment. I also want to rethink the whole design and production process, improving efficiency and quality. I might invest a little bit here and there. For example, I want a 'proper' hot knife rather than the 30 Watt soldering iron I have at the moment (I like to look of these). I think I'll get my sewing table extended a bit and buy a glass cutting surface for trimming tape etc. I want to raise the bar in terms of professionalism.

It looks like a 2 inch version of 7282 tape. You can probably get a roll from BRM.

Good news all around. My local chief instructor got to jump the grey thing this weekend, but subsequent jumps were cut short by the weather. Once it has been jumped a few more times by some other very experienced people, apparently there's no reason I can't. [inline grey_thing.jpg] Also the orange thing looks good, we can do a similar test program at some point. [inline canopy_1.jpg] [inline canopy_2.jpg]

Woo finished wow. [inline canopy.jpg]

I need you clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle.

God belongs in religious education, not in the science classroom. That's probably my only opinion on this thread.

I think I almost understand what you mean, Lee. You'll have to sketch it or something. I really like the idea of reducing tail drag.

All main seam work finished. I just have to put the line attachments and then the lines on. Of course, there will be pictures if it gets jumped. This whole thing has been a very good exercise in sewing and construction efficiency. It's taken me just under a month, and I know I can go faster than that. I'll be investing in some new equipment and rethinking the whole process before my next prototype.

Thanks for that. For some reason, there's a lot in there that isn't in my manual. I will definitely have to take a break after this canopy and have a good old play with the machine. A couple more pictures of the orange thing [inline LST_small.jpg] [inline centre_cell_small.jpg]

That's a very general question. I shall give you some reading material and let the people who know what they're talking about give you some proper advice. http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/wingload.pdf

It's a consew 332R, and I have a hard copy manual (many of the pictures are indiscernible though). I would always appreciate something a bit clearer.

I think I've found the screws. I won't play about with them now because I'm halfway through my canopy, but thanks. They were in an awkward location too. As to oiling, I think my machine is a self oiler. There's a reservoir at the top and it all drips down and collects into a bottle under the machine. I haven't physically oiled anything since I started.

If you could just circle it in red or something [inline DSCF1218_small.jpg]

Not too much to report on. We're getting closer to being able to jump my grey thing. I'm thinking the attitude at the next STC will be quite different (only 3 weeks to go). With the orange thing, I'm making great progress. I got all my parts cut out in a record 10 days, and I'm learning more about my proper sewing machine and actually starting to like it. I still don't know how to change bobbin tension, but v tapes are a breeze and there are some cool little things like being able to see how much bobbin thread is left just be sliding open the cover. [inline stab_small.jpg] [inline v_tapes_small.jpg]

It's the stupidest shit that makes me laugh.

I have, as it happens. I've also been looking back at Dick Gays' slots. I think there could be some merit to the idea, especially in the BASE environment. The camera lies! The rib is basically the same, just a bit fatter. The fabric is also neon orange rather than gold.

Between coming up with a plan and quietly fuming, I've started work on the next prototype. I've turned my bedroom into a cutting floor and it's much less stuffy than a damp basement. I've already cut out most of the ribs, and the other parts shouldn't take too long once I've made the patterns. [inline DSCF1179_small.jpg] New warning label that I don't think I've shown yet: [inline DSCF1123_small.jpg] Once I get used to my machine (I haven't been practising much), it should all go together pretty quickly.

That's cool as shit. Thanks for the information everyone.

If you're interested in reading more like this, you can find these STC minutes here: http://www.bpa.org.uk/member/agendas-and-minutes/ They go way back and there's quite a lot of detail. Makes for interesting reading.

Ah, we did. Unfortunately, it was also pointed out that it was the first one that had been jumped. We're back to catch 22 again. Can't prove my designs without jumping them, can't jump them without proving them first. Yeah, we forgot to point that out. A lot of people still don't understand that it's the primary way to test a canopy. You don't sit around pull testing or theorizing. I'm not going away until there's a chance for everyone who wants to build there own kit to have a way to do so. I'm not the first person to run into this wall. Dick Gays even had to deal with it. It's putting off a lot new ideas. People take a look at the Ops manual, see that you have to be a recognised manufacturer, and don't feel like dropping 250K to open a factory just to play around with some designs. As you said, PD, Aerodyne etc don't sprout out of the ground fully formed. They started with some young guys messing around. The rules we have at the moment are completely preventing any kind of innovation, and I bet it wasn't done or purpose either. I don't think STC realise this. Ha, I'm stealing that! That's the plan, except paying for all those experienced slots will be expensive. I think 20, maybe 30 jumps should do. Again, how the BPA think is at all practical boggles my mind.

I think that's one of the few things we can agree on. Probably at least 500, maybe 1000.