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Would like to start learning on my own canopy that I'd be jumping and found a good deal on a rig in classifieds for something that seems an appopriate wing loading etc. I'm an A-licenced skydiver (USPA & CSPA) with 54 jumps and good-ish accuracy. I'll land consitantly within 10 ft or less of the frisbee sized taget. While in Florida this March i'll obviously be working on honing my canopy & accuracy skills. When I'm back at my home this spring I'd like to practice flying the base canopy I'd be jumping while I'm skydiving since this would lead to better accuracy on that gear I'm guessing. I'd like to do my first BASE jump at bridge day 2008.

Sooooo - I found this gear in classifieds that seems like a good deal & it would likely be the right harness & canopy size for me. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice regarding it...

Wizard container DOM 1997 and a PD Dragon 193, DOM 1997. The hole kit has approx 80 to 100 jumps and is in excellent shape. Comes with a 41” pilot chute, a mesh slider

Thanks in advance for your help :D

I believe the advertisement is incorrect. PD did not manufacture the Dragon canopy.

The Dragon canopy was an old Vertigo canopy manufactured under contract by Precision. PD builds the Ace and Blackjack canopies for Consolidated Rigging. As far as I know, these are the only BASE canopies PD has ever sewn.


The Dragon was an older Vertigo canopy. It predates the current Apex canopies (Dagger, Rock Dragon, Flik, FOX) and is no longer manufactured. My experience with them was that the Dragon had fairly poor slider down inflation characteristics (if memory serves, the crossports were smaller and fewer than in other BASE canopies, including the contemporaneous FOX and Mojo canopies). I, personally would not be willing to jump one off a slider down, solid object (low cliff or building), given the alternatives available today.

The Wizard is a fairly standard velcro container.

The setup looks reasonable for a budget minded beginner weighing less than 100 pounds, who intends to trade up the canopy (at least, and possible the container) to something more modern before attempting slider down solid objects.

What is your body weight?

hmmm. I'm 5'5" & btwn 125/130 lbs. I guess not such a good idea then? It does fall just outside the recommended .75 wing loading I guess. I just thought since it was so close to my actual canopy size it might be best. Are you saying you'd recommend something closer to a 220 canopy? That would definitely make it difficult to find a used skydiving harness/container that would fit the canopy & me. Perhaps there is a flaw in my plan. Yes definitely budget minded. Just spent a small fortune on my skydive rig.

I'd recommend either a 220ish or a 240ish BASE canopy. Which one depends on what you're planning on jumping (which mostly depends on where you live).

Most dropzones have student rigs which usually fit BASE sized canopies.

Why does the size depend on where I live?? Jumping near Toronto, Buffalo & Niagara Falls.

The quality of the landing areas. In Florida, for example, there are lots of open, grassy fields that you can land a smaller canopy in, and that typically get jumped in higher wind. In Australia, on the other hand, there are lots of bad landing areas that generally demand larger canopies.

Points well taken. Thanks for the advice. :D

I weigh 125-130lbs and jump a 220 and a 245. I definitely prefer the 245 for crappier landing areas. .57 wingloading ftw

I was able to freepack my 245 vented Fox into a Dolphin made for a 175 F111 (160ZP). not pretty but it works for hop and pops. teaches you how to pack small too.

Another factor in canopy selection is air density.
I live in Florida where the whole state is close
to sea level, hence the air is more dense.

However, in Colorado where the field elevation
is a mile above sea level the air is much thinner
and the faster speed of your canopy would be
very noticeable.

I still have and jump a Dragon. I got it when Vertigo were based in DeLand and I am pretty sure it was made by PD. I think it's basically a bastardised PD Reserve.

Tom is right about the slider down openings. Everyone that watches me jump these days have comments about my slider down openings- they are slightly different, but I guess I've just got used to them. There are a lot of slider down objects that I won't jump because of it. But then I get my Blackjack next week and can then go out and really play.

I stand corrected. Apparently PD did manufacture the Dragon under contract for Vertigo. Thanks for pointing that out.

CYN

Most of the landing areas in my back yard are tight landing areas which are the areas you are talking about. When learning to fly for base purposes you need to be able to fly the canopy in all aspects of flight. this meaning full flight turns and flairs both toggle and rear riser's. half break turns and flaring from half breaks on landing. Riser turns with breaks set. Deep break turns and approaches and sometimes you have to land this configuration so practice your PLF's it may save your a$$ets. please pm me