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Showing results for 'fluid wings'.
Found 119 results
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Fluid Wings Gangster 135 Exit weight 195 Wing loading 1.44 Jumps (513) Test jumps 19 Packing: The first thing I noticed about the canopy is that is packs HUGE. I have a 135 max container and its stuffed like a Saussage. I know that cross bracing packs larger and that it would be tight, but this was next level stuffed. After 10 jumps things started to get a bit easier, but its still not really meant for a 135 container. It fits, but its certainly tighter than Sunpath would like. Openings: The first few opening I had were a bit of a mixed bag and I think that is mostly due to packing and over stuffing the container. The initial snatch force of the canopy is stronger than I anticipated but at no point was it hard. Once the canopy stood me up in the harness the openings were soft with a very staged inflation. The “bad” openings I had were not slammers or spin-ups but they weren’t exactly the expected beautiful openings. Again, I feel as though this is due to packing and I hope to have an opportunity to jump this from a larger container before I make final judgement. 15 jumps in and im in love with the openings. The snatch force is still a bit higher than I would think but by no means is it hard. Its staged and usually on heading. Ive had a few off heading openings but they were super manageable and I never felt like it wanted to spin up on me. So far its the best opening canopy ive flown. Toggle pressure: The toggle pressure felt easy/ moderate. There was light pressure at first and built slowly and steadily to the bottom of the flare. It was super intuitive and as it was what I expected I’m finding it difficult to describe accurately. Flare: Holy shit guys. This thing has flare power. ( thats what happens when you finally have some real speed) Tip toe landing and metric fuck-tons of range Font risers: The fronts were light to moderate and built steadily and progressively as you dove the canopy. Im really working on getting into the fronts and the more comfortable I got with the canopy the better they felt. Rear Risers: Wow wow wow wow wow. Even with my harness only approaches I had enough speed to plane out and feel just how powerful the rears are. Rears for Years! Once I can really dive the canopy I’ll be able to play with the rears more but for now they still have tons of range and power. Harness: The harness was not nearly as sensitive as the Tesla but it felt more intuitive and controllable with more of a dive. I think that once you increase your wing loading the harness will liven up a bit, but as a step up canopy its exactly what you want. On the largest size you make it was fun and easy to fly while letting me know that she has a lot more in her when I’m ready to start ringing out some more performance. Trim: It was steep but not scary. Fast but controllable. It felt steeper than the Tesla by miles. I have a Gangster 120 on order and it will be here in august. I cannot speak highly enough about this canopy as a step up canopy. I liked it a LOT more than the crossfire.
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Fluid Wings told me that a Gangster 90 would pack about the same as a Comp Velo 90.
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What manufacturers recommend double wrapping elastics?
Deimian replied to pchapman's topic in Gear and Rigging
In a fluid wings video they also use double wrapping: https://vimeo.com/210294491 No such thing as a manual though. -
Sorry, nothing to do with performance, both are great wings with similar characteristics that come with the type of planform both use. It's just a mere subjective appreciation. I had to adjust the brakes on the X-fire in order for it to flare better, until I did that the toggle stroke was very long and I found myself a whole weekend comparing it to the Tesla. Which flew awesome the first time. I think this is the reason why I said that... The next weekend when I adjusted the brakes, I felt much better under the X-fire, and the wing performed great. I would be super happy owning any of these wings. Now, Fluid Wings is local, not a huge company like PD or Icarus, my friends fly their canopies and I like them. This also plays part on how I feel about the Tesla. Felipe -- Blue Skies NO FEARS, NO LIMITS, NO MONEY... "A Subitánea et Improvísa Morte, Líbera nos, Domine."
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I've noticed this new canopy pop up on the Fluid Wings website and saw a couple posts on the Fluid Wings facebook page, but otherwise I have not heard/seen much about this new canopy (not even a promotional/release video from Fluid as they have done for their other canopies). Has anybody had the chance to jump the Nexus or own one? Thoughts on its opening/flight characteristics compared to other canopies in its range?
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Fluid Wings is working on The Gangster... To fill the first crossbraced wing type class (velo/jfx/ect)... very very promising... Teasers and Release Dates coming soon! I was that kid jumping out if his tree house with a bed sheet. My dad wouldn't let me use the ladder to try the roof...
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Good plan demo demo demo everything try pd. Try aerodyne. Try fluid wings. Try Icarus. Worth the money then you can make an informed decision i have on occasion been accused of pulling low . My response. Naw I wasn't low I'm just such a big guy I look closer than I really am .
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So the only tri-tapered design canopies I've flown have been the HK and the Airwolf, so I don't have any comparable details (though I will be flying a Valkyrie next weekend) to other manufactures, but I can compare the Airwolf to the Helix, and older design cross-braced canopies. The Airwolf, jumped a 79 at a 2.55 WL, compared to the Helix, jumped a 84 at a 2.4 WL, was much less responsive on the harness inputs. The Helix was a little harder to control upon opening, the start of the turn was much quicker, and I was unable to dial-in the rollout with the limited jumps I did on it, always needing to over-correct what always turned out to be a very quick whip. It did recover quicker than the Airwolf, but with its ZP external and Sail internal design allowed for what felt like a faster horizontal speed. The canopy also needed to be transitioned to toggles a little sooner than what feels natural, but still carried as well as ZP with Sail internals can be expected to. I did feel that owning a Helix would, in the long-term, help me become a much better pilot because I would be forced to be able to fly my harness as square as possible and dialing in my harness input during the turn. The Airwolf was definitely steeper than the Helix with a longer recovery arc and was much easier to fly on opening even with an increased wingloading due to the less responsive harness inputs. The turn, roll-in, rollout, and dive were all similar to older design crossbraced canopies, but with increased sensitivity and much more user friendly inputs needed. It has two variations that it can come in, one with FT-30 (which can be placed somewhere between ZP and Sail material, a great article was published by Fluid Wings and is available on their website on the FT-30 material) on I believe the crossbraces and top fabric, which had the awesome benefits of much more powerful rear and toggle inputs and carried forever, even after transitioning to toggles. The second configuration had less FT-30 but I didn't have the opportunity to jump that configuration. The HK on the other hand, which I jumped an 84 at the 2.4 WL including a full RDS as opposed to only removable sliders on the other wings, is by far the strongest wing in their lineup, and comes in full-sail (I very unfortunately did not get to jump the HK-T which is a terminal version of the same wing with other changes to make it more friendly to terminal openings). The harness was more responsive than the Airwolf, but still less twitchy than the Helix. The dive and recovery were steeper and longer respectively than the Airwolf and the power in the rears and toggles was also more powerful. The canopy kept carrying and came to such smooth, easy stops. If I felt more confident flying the HK in traffic, I would for sure be leaning towards that wing (probably the HK-T so I can fall longer before deployment), but as is, the Airwolf was the most user friendly wing with the most powerful responses and great dive and recovery with predictable harness inputs during the turn that I've had the pleasure to fly. Disclaimer: I do not work for nor get any benefit from endorsing Fluid Wings, I just loved the damn canopies, all of them. Plus, I met the founder, and he was one the coolest, most intelligent people I've met in skydiving, which may or may not be saying much... ;p Plus, if you send your canopy to them, they'll do the reline for free, all you have to do is purchase the lineset.
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The Crossfire 2 has set the standard for high performance elliptical 9 cell canopies… until now. The X-Fire is completely redesigned to excel in all areas important to you- the pilot: openings, harness input, swooping, and packing while remaining your ultimate “everyday canopy.” The X-Fire openings are smooth and consistent as ever. Through the application of our Shape Correlation for Inlet Distribution (SCID) recently debuted in the S-Fire and the TX2, the result are fluid on-heading openings. At terminal speeds the X-Fire takes between 800-900 feet to give you that perfect opening every single time. And the best part? It doesn’t need to be packed with meticulous skill! This wing wants to give you soft on-heading openings effortlessly. The X-Fire has adopted the Schuemann Planform (elliptical on the leading edge and less so on the trailing edge) that allows for great lift and reactivity, which is why this planform has been used in paragliders, speed wings and other high performance wings. When this planform is adopted the stall speed is lowered; therefore you can swoop further than with the Crossfire 2. This is also why the X-Fire has a minimum requirement of 400 total jumps and 200 jumps annually.Currency is mandatory. However, at this level of reactivity and performance 800 jumps is what we believe to be the benchmark to really experience the caliber of performance the X-Fire can offer. The X-Fire is above and beyond the Crossfire 2 when it comes to harness inputs, so flying with leg pad input alone is done with ease. The recovery arc has been lengthened, but remains shorter than cross braced canopies- which is exactly why this is the ultimate gateway canopy. The reactivity of the X-Fire translates to awesome front riser pressure, and dramatically easier rear riser control than the Crossfire 2. It takes little effort to land on your rears and experience a powerful flare. Toggle control is improved as the X-Fire has a much stronger low end flare than the Crossfire 2, which results in the ability to shut it down on no wind days even in a tight landing area. Now let’s talk innovation: SCID gives the openings but the performance of the X-Fire demanded elevated Parabolic Reinforcement Tapes (PRT). A full parabola of reinforcement is visible on load bearing ribs, a great deal more than the S-Fire or TX2. A canopy like the X-Fire needs absolutely no drag from distortion of the top skin, so even though it is more time consuming in the production line, the end product is worth it, and when you swoop the X-fire you will understand. -
Wondering if anyone has got jumps/views on the Fluid Wings HK Terminal. How would this compare with Hybrid Leia etc. Cheers
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Hi all, I am about to get a new canopy, and I am looking for an upgrade in performance from my current safire3. I want to progressively get into high performance landings, and am considering a fluid wings tesla, or a NZAerosports crossfire3. Has anyone had the chance of jumping either, or ideally both? I would like to know how they dive and how is their recovery arc. Thanks for the help!
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So a couple of year pass and we now have two Schuemanny planform non-crossbraced canopies with inflatable stabilizers, the Tesla (Fluid Wings) and the X-Fire (Icarus). Seems odd that neither PD or NZ aerosports seem to be in a hurry to start down this path, any ideas what's going on? Has anybody out there flow one of these and a Katana, I'd love to know how they stack up? p.s. Pretty sure the crossfire 3 doesn't have these characteristics
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Knowing the guys at Fluid Wings, it wont be long until that spot is filled. I
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Iäd rather put it like this Category 5 PD: Velocity, Comp Velocity NZ Aerosports: JVX, JFX Fluid Wings: ?? Category 6 PD: Valkyrie, Valkyrie Hybrid NZ Aerosports: Leia, Leia Hybrid Fluid Wings: Helix, Airwolf Category 6.5 PD: Peregrine NZ Aerosports: Petra, Sofia Fluid Wings: HK, HK Terminal, HS
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I think the category of wings goes more like this... Category 5 PD: Velocity, Comp Velocity NZ Aerosports: JVX, JFX Fluid Wings: Helix, Airwolf Category 6 PD: Peregrine, Valkyrie NZ Aerosports: Petra, Leia, Sofia Fluid Wings: HK, HK Terminal, HS Fluid wings also have this nice chart http://www.fluidwings.com/wings
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I dont know much about it, but assuming the Airwolf is in the same class as a Valkyrie or Leia I would guess that its not aimed at the "first crossbraced canopy" market. Ask Fluid Wings.
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https://www.facebook.com/Icarusworld/videos/1471057502917912/ Looks similar to Fluid Wing's Tesla. "Schumanny" planform, partially closed nose, inflatable stabilizers. Unfortunately it is nothing more than a promotional video, so I have no idea how it compares to Crossfire 2, Crossfire 3, Tesla or Katana. It seems like it has a somewhat long recovery arc, but it is very difficult to say from the video. It also seems like a Tesla contender for most beautiful non-crossbraced wing . I was leaning towards Tesla as my next wing, but without demos in Europe I might give priority to this one if it turns out to be a worthy canopy. Fluid Wings, are you sure you don't want to reconsider having a demo program in Europe? Hit me up if you need help to set it up Interesting times!
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You want information on the Fluid Wings Airwolf? Go to the Valkyrie Hybrid thread... Seriously though, I'm glad we all have so many options, it's only good for consumers. :-) Still looking for a video from FW on the "easy" way to attach their slider, btw. I can haz?
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The main benefit of sail is it doesnt stretch on the bias and reduces the chordwise distortion between attachment points. sail is coated with polyurethane or an epoxy, instead of silicone. The crossbraces are zp, (i assume) for pack volume and there is not much of a benefit of sail there. anywhere they can possibly deform, they are taped and reinforced. You will see a slight improvement at first, but then as the coating cracks and flakes off, it will underperform zp. Somewhere between jump 350 and 500 id bet the zp version, side by side will perform better from there on out... If nothing else changes it will not change major flight characteristics. it will simply feel sportier and slightly more responsive.. the recovery arc should actually decrease as you add efficiency and take away distortions, so i dont buy that... This is why fluid wings has developed their own fabric with one of their suppliers, that is both siliconized for longevity and another super secret coating that gives it a little edge over normal zp without the cracking and flaking and pack volume of normal sail cloths. Were calling it FT-30. Its entirely different than sail and more classified as a zp type material, but its also different than anything else out there and showing promise. The airwolf will be available in all zp, FT-30 ribs, and FT-30 ribs and topskin.... just saying I was that kid jumping out if his tree house with a bed sheet. My dad wouldn't let me use the ladder to try the roof...
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If, like me, you weren't at PIA you probably didn't see that PD released a hybrid order option for the VK. This means that, within a couple of weeks, we'll have the option to use white or black sail for the internal ribs on their order form for $100 on top of the regular VK price. That's ribs only, not cross braces or tail ribs. They'll have demos out "soon" - I'm not holding my breath literally as I can only do that for a minute or two but I am figuratively. This gives people like myself who prefer the VK's flight characteristics over the other wings in that segment a higher performance option without going all the way to a Peregrine (which I wouldn't). It also gives CP peeps a wing to take up against the NZA Hybrid Leia and now, Airwolf from Fluid Wings. NZA has had this option for a long time, I'm glad PD has now made this available as well. I haven't had a chance to fly one yet but, I'm looking forward to getting a demo VK79 hybrid to compare to mine.
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I'm not affiliated with Fluid in any way so don't take this as coming from them. I do chat with some of them from time to time though. I get the impression that some folks didn't like the short-ish recovery arc of the Helix, though it is intended to be that way, so the AirWolf is designed to appeal to that audience. It has been really interesting watching them grow. They really like to play with designs and try new things. Trying to appeal to jumpers across the whole gamut of flying styles and coming from other high performance wings seems to be quite a challenge.
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Anyone jumped the new Fluid Wings Airwolf yet and care to share their opinion of it? http://www.fluidwings.com/airwolf
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Yeah, I've been checking out their write ups and vids and it sounds great. As nice as the fluid wings guys seem it would be good to have an independent take on things. I'm hoping for Katana like performance without the exciting openings!
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The Sabre2 is solid, I would even say the "gold standard" to which other non-swooping 9cells are measured against. But that also makes it popular, and preserves its used price. 170 is also the most popular size of any non-swooping canopy from what I hear. Other new/intermediate fun jumper canopies include the Pilot (Aerodyne), Pulse (PD), and Prime (Fluid Wings). They will all be tamer than the Sabre2 and you will be disappointed by the flare of all 3 if you are use to the Sabre2 (assuming the one you have been jumping isn't ragged out). I've jumped all three and have nothing but good things to say about all of them. A little off the radar is the Firebolt (Parachute Labs / aka Jump Shack). It is the only canopy I've flown that has a more powerful flare than the Sabre2, it is obvious why, the brake lines affect a larger portion of the tail. As far as flight characteristics (it's been awhile since I jumped one) but it is in the same ball park as the Sabre2 and would feel familiar. The snivel is quite long also. If you can find a 7 cell cheap, the Spectre and Storm are good options (PD), I've heard a number of people say they love the Triathlon (Aerodyne) as well but I have no personal experience. I'm sure someone will disagree, but I wouldn't turn you away from a 7cell, but I would also tell you not to hunt for one. They are much more stable in flight and generally lack the forward speed of 9cells. If that is something someone is looking for (some wingsuiters for instance) that's fine. But it is a bit of a crutch. Anecdotally, I've seen people come from long first runs on 7cells and when they get something sportier (Sabre2 for instance) they are intimidated by the speed and responsiveness. There is an adjustment period as it were, I have not seen the same for people going from a 9cell to a 7cell, other than "Wow, this is much tamer than what I am use to."
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I like the setup on Scott Roberts / Fluid wings RDS. It takes some getting used to attaching it, but the release is soft, fast and never hangs up on the rings.
