Basejumper.com - archive

Can I just get a run through of some wing loadings for a person weighing between 155lb-175lb (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert levels). Would a 280 canopy be "too big" for a beginner weighing 160lb jumping under 600ft?

 
This is a perfect question for the 'BASE Beginners' forum, and it's likely you may find your answer there using the search function.

Jesus Christ Tony, just tell the poor guy. Yes, it's a fine size for a canopy, I've got about 100 jumps at the same wing loading. Penetration into the wind will be a little tough though.

Thanks. I'm between a 242 and 280. I just want an accurate ride. I'm currently 1/1 wl in the sky.

"Add your naked weight in pounds plus 80-100" works well most of the time.

Yea. I got a size recommended but then having fixed it, just for the sake of checking, I followed Tom's tips on wingloading and it indeed came to the one I have.

naked + 100 and round it to the nearest canopy size, Tom says.

http://www.snakeriverbase.com/MyFirstBASERig.pdf

Hey, I would generally say there aren't really beginner, intermediate, and expert sizes of canopies, at least as definitively as there are in skydiving anyway. The size of canopy required depends mainly on the user weight but can also be influenced by the type of landing areas expected. I have 2 canopies, one 245 and one 280, and weigh around 165lb. I find this gives me a range of performance for different jumps, but would happily use either on 95% of jumps. In my experience, once you get towards the very lightly loaded spectrum (around 0.55lb/sqft) on canopies (unvented especially) end cell closure becomes pronounced and can require a lot of brake input to clear it. As far as I know the recommended range is 0.6-0.75lb/sqft for BASE canopies. Using your figures would put a 280 for 155lb at 0.55, which might be a little low for an unvented canopy. It will still work...

Thanks a lot for the input nevadal, it was very helpful and made perfect sense. I'm gonna go with the 242.

a couple things to keep in mind...

skydiving - no real exit/deployment issues, wide open landing area -> large margin for error

BASE - s/l or wingsuit exit? landing area? -> potentially small margin for error

.7-.8 lbs per square foot

You're aware that all canopies are not measured the same? I usually weigh 165 and jump a Troll 245 which translates for other canopy measurements as a 265. (165 + 100 = 265!) Fairly big spread between a 242 and a 280, maybe consider a 265. If I was deciding between a 242 and a 280 because that's what was available to me I'd choose the 280 and wear heavy boots. Glide ratios will be similar, small canopy is better in wind, big canopy better for pretty much everything else (accuracy, soft landing, sinking in, hitting shit and surviving etc.).

Diego, how much do you weigh without gear? I need a better Idea besides 155-175

Naked weight plus about 100 is a good starting point. 155 plus 100 .. 255. So 240 to 260 is a good option. Calculate the wingload with all your gear and make sure it's around .7 to 1 give or take a few points.

If you weigh 155, a 240 to as large as 260 Is good. I'm about 155 without clothing and I prefer a 240 for most of my jumps. At 175, I would go as little as 260, and possibly/probably lean toward the 280.

My current canopy is a BlackJack 240. At my current weight and my flying style, it's great. I also REALLY like jumping the Seven 240 at my current weight. Both of these canopies seem to work quite well in size 260 aslo. I have many jumps on a 220. In my opinion, for most jumps it requires too much finesse to fly safely.

I have a few recent jumps on other canopies in the 260 and 280 range. The 280 was simply too sluggish and didn't open very well. The 260 was great and pinpoint accuracy during deep braked no flare approaches worked rather well.

Hope that helps.

Hey thanks for the replies. I weigh anywhere from 155-160, I have the chance to buy a raven 280 very lightly used with a nice container. After reading your posts I'm kinda leaning towards buying new, and going with a 242 flik 3/7 vtec. I'm new to b.a.s.e but have over 100 skydives, so I've decided now is the time to start. I started skydiving with a falcon 265 then downsized to a 195 and have been pretty happy since.

Keep skydiving. I did forget to ask you what your parachuting experience is. You have enough skills for less complicated jumps. Don't be fooled to believe that you can handle technical tight landing zones.

You may consider the larger canopy. It's still the correct size and honestly with your limited parachute experience, it will do what you want better than a smaller canopy. Use the larger guideline vs the smaller.

BTW, the 280 is just too big so you're wise to skip it.

The falcon is a good canopy. Keep it and use it to learn flat turn, stalls, snap 180's (think cram on the brakes then let one side up and then pull it back down). It sinks pretty well and with minimal winds, doesn't require much forward speed to land softly. It will allow you do learn braked approaches all the way to landing.

Good luck.

Don't get a raven, especially a raven 280 for that weight. Get a fox or a flik around 260 with vents.

Cheeky, what do you base your suggestions on? Your skydiving and base experience is limited, which means, you've tried very few canopies in various conditions.

Your canopy suggestion isn't bad, but it's not based on experience.

+1

I actually decided to do 100 more skydives before getting into it. I'm adding a phoenix fly tracking suit to my arsenal in order to better prep for it. The first few chapters of "The Great Book Of Base" definitely changed my view on what is really required for successfully and responsibly pulling off b.a.s.e. Thanks for the posts, they were all very helpful, and I'll see you guys on the flip side.

Hey, something else, don't canopy manufactures have recommendations as far as performance based on wing loading?