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So I got a 354 on the way, and am researching what type and size PC's to get for the delays our objects have. I called and talked to Apex, and Marty about his toxic PC's but just wanted to get a feel from anyone that has experience with these larger canopies as well.

Im specifically interested in the thought that since it is such a large canopy in size and weight, it is heavier to lift out, has longer lines, and will have a longer overall time to complete the whole opening process that a person using a 354 will need to go up a PC size compared to other people on the load using 280 size canopies. IE if they are using a 42 for a 1-2 sec delay should I use a 44 toxic, or a 46 Apex PC.

As of right now after talking to Marty and a couple guys at APEX(bad with names sorry) and reading i've gotten my eye on these PC's.

For S/L, go and throw to 1 sec a ZP 48 APEX pc no vents

For 1-4 a All ZP toxic 44 series 6 or 7 not sure yet whats better, I know the vents on 6 is at the top and the 7 is further down from the top.

For 5-terminal a 38 ZP vented APEX with floating handle.

They agreed obviously that going up a size is a conservative approach to figuring out what I need, and if openings are more slammers that a true positive base opening I can always go down a PC size, but cant come back from cratering in under one to small

What do you guys think. Im stoked about having a 44 toxic as my all around workhorse PC if it works out that way

What's the canopy configuration ? Multi or not ? Vents ? How many ? Standard size or oversize (Rock Dragon size) ? HTS ? What is your W/L ?

Underloaded (.60-.65) 354s don't open as quickly in my experience because there is inadequeate weight under the canopy at line stretch.

I have both a standard 354 4/7 multi and a 354 U/L 3/7 multi. The U/L weighs about and deploys at about the same speed as a 280-293. I use Toxic series 6 46, 42, 38, and F111 36, and 32 at the general delay times with this canopy w/o any issues. With the standard 354 I've used the same P/Cs increasing the delay times by 1 sec. for each P/C listed.

IMO using a 38 ZP for anything over a 7 sec delay is a BAD idea. When test jumping 354s from aircraft I have been slammed by a 32 F111 PC on more than one occasion. With the nose rolled and using dual direct slider control w/ a small mesh slider. So it stands to reason that the results of using a 38 ZP at terminal could be quite devastating. YMMV.

I load both canopies .68:1. Also, 354's have very high toggle pressure much like an accuracy canopy. Something to keep in mind.

4 of 7 vents, multi(although im unsure of its pros and cons, still researching its use) regular size vents all F111 canopy. I am 6'4 geared 300(yea yea yea I know its a choice we all make tho right..) so its at .84 which on a large canopy is in my favor compared to .84 on a 280 size canopy.

My main skydiving canopy is a 370sqft HALO canopy, so im familiar with the aspect ratio, and size of these canopies having jumped it about 150 times.

So if i read your correctly using toxic PC you are seeing the general delay and PC charts still working for this size canopy straight up?

No. I said everything remained the same for the Ultra light. I increased the delay by 1 second for each PC size for a standard build 354 with favorable results. At that W/L, I would say the results would be about the same for you. But don't take my word for it. Experiment to see what works, just use good judgement.

One more thing, as I said, the toggle pressure on these canopies is quite high. I wouldn't think at your W/L you would have a hard time stalling the canopy, but you never know till you try. When landing, you need to be sure you can shut that big bastard down if the need arises. Or it will shut you down. 200 plus pound jumpers transmit much higher kinetic energy to the ground when landing. If you can't shut the canopy down witin a reasonable distance, it will pull you down with generally unfavorable results.

Gotcha, I did not see the U/L meaning ultralight in your post.

I am working on getting that W/L down I have a month or two before my new container gets here. In the mean time I am gonna go skydive the shit out of the canopy and work on the CR canopy skills sheets. Thanks

this is where jumping conservatively helps. you leave a margin for error while you work things out.

try different things off of a friendly object. which pc leads to a higher opening? is it the same that leads to a cleaner opening?

not everyone jumps the same, so different people can have different preferences.

I agree just did not want to spend a grand on 7 PCs when i only need 3 or 4 only to get slammed or hesitatied to death trying to find out what i needed. Figured the knowledge was already out there to be found on what worked well on the 354's.