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FYI: I respect the prudence of the crawl / walk / then run
progression and have no plans to perform an unpacked
jump any time soon. However, I do have a few
questions for you experienced guys & gals.

Assuming zero winds, 190 LB jumper, .78 wing loading,
no vents, & the object being a crane boom over grass:

1) How much lower would a 'Smart TARD' give the
jumper a flyable canopy than a 'McConkey'?

2) Which is easier to properly execute:
a 'Smart TARD' or a 'McConkey'?

Thanks for the input.

I think the SmartTARD is going to be open higher, actually. But that depends (very much) on various other things--like how you are executing the rollover. Are you leaving the canopy hanging at line stretch in a bundle, or are you spreading and partially pre-inflating it?




In my opinion, the rollover is easier. The TARD requires you to coordinate two motions (lofting the canopy and exiting), where the rollover simply requires a good launch (hard and straight out to maintain line tension).

I don't think a tard would be open higher. With a rollover the canopy is nearly flying as your body passes it in freefall if you maintain line tension. This would have the canopy inflated in less than two times the length of the lines. A tard inflates pretty quickly, but I don't think it is inflated less than the length of the lines below the exit point which would put your body the length of the lines below that.

Why do you think the opposite Tom?

Also a rollover is very predictable in all aspects from exit to flight. A tard is somewhat unpredictable regarding heading performance, can snivel however slight it may be, and then there the variability in the time from exit until the canopy is released.

I mentioned in another thread that the rollover, IMO, is the safest, easiest, most predictable exit there is.

I recently TARD'ed a 200' crane boom (with vents) and had a very long canopy ride. I've not done a rollover from that altitude, but I think that it would yeild a slightly lower opening.
I've been meaning to do a rollover off this object. If I get some light winds this week I'll do one and make a direct comparison.

Does anyone here have experience with a TARD from around 145ft? I've been considering this and I'd like to know what others have experienced.

Seeya,
Eric

I've tarded 150ft over solid ground. Plenty of time for full pressurization and a solid flare. You don't really have time to turn so make sure you are jumping in the direction you plan on landing.

So what's your opinion of a tard vs. a rollover? 145' is short for any jump, period. You mentioin "jumping in the direction you plan on landing" but tard heading performance is quite unpredictable. Not intending to disqualify what you saying, but these are relevant points. What about heading performance of a tard versus a tard over? I would think a tard is more predictable, especially a clean tard. Since you can somewhat release the canopy with the tail facing you more predictably.

I won't feel less than if someone tells me I'm full of it...

how umpredictible are tards in genaral" not talking mary poppins here, but for maximum canopy time type jumps. of the 9 i have all have been on heading +/- 10 degrees. Im not about to jump any buildings based on that experience however, are people getting WILD off headings with tards (i assume yes), and why?

I'm a fan of the tard, and think it gets the canopy flying faster than a rollover. 200' B, I unpacked the parachute up top for a fast opening. I'd say it was flying by 130'.

I like them b/c I feel a good sense of parachute control in reference to heading, as well as body position is seemingly difficult to become awry vs a rollover.