Basejumper.com - archive

I am looking for a 7 cell F111 canopy of 220 square feet or larger to use in the skydiving environment as training for B.A.S.E.

I have been offered a Nimbus 220.

I am entirely unsure what this canopy is like, or even if it is a 7 cell...

Does anyone know anything about the Nimbus????

It was manufactured in 1989, other than that I am in the dark.

I would also be interested in people's thoughts on whether this would make a decent water canopy for B.A.S.E.

It´s flatter gliding 9cell,
take care,
space

What Space said and . . .

The dictionary says “Nimbus” is: “A radiant light that usually appears in the form of a circle or halo about or over the head.”

The Nimbus, built by ParaFlite, came out in 1984, and in three sizes.

Nimbus Beta, 184 sq ft.
Nimbus, 223 sq ft. (Sounds like the one you have.)
Nimbus XL, 265 sq ft.

It’s all F-111 and the lines are 600 lb Dacron.

I remember the Nimbus opened hard, then ParaFlite did something to the slider. Some people used a side-pocket for line deployment. These looked like tail-pockets except they are mounted on a stabilizer. I’m pretty sure this didn’t do any good.

At sixty feet water and concrete are about the same thing . . . so you still want a good canopy over your head. The aspect ratio of 9-cells, like the Nimbus, make symmetrical openings more difficult to achieve. The Nimbus was used for BASE jumping back in the day when there wasn’t any BASE gear.

Now, is there a nice vintage round reserve in the container that Nimbus came in?

Nick
BASE 194

Do you need a round Nick?

jon

After I broke both legs on a Houston building in 1983, I got a Nimbus IV due to the soft landings. It was a 9 cell, but longer front lines so it was slower. Opened like a cannon. Paraflite sent out 2 sets of supplemental instructions how to slow it downfor skydiving. On low BASE jumps it was great . Freefell a 172 foot bridge and saddled at 70 feet after a 1 second delay and an old 52" pilot chute. Fast open, soft landings and routine off heading openings, but it would fly backwards for 2 seconds before it began to stall.
Rick Harrison
BASE 8