Piloting: BASE canopy vs. 7-cell accuracy canopy
Hey all, I was looking for some information on this before I started jumping but found none, so in the interests of others I thought I'd share what I've learned...
Unlike most skydivers I jumped mostly on big, 7-cell accuracy-type canopies - EIFF Classic, Spectre, Star Trac, PD Zero. I knew that BASE canopies are very different from the 9-cell elliptical speed-demons out there but wondered how they stacked up against their closer cousins. After a few jumps from a plane and at an FJC (on my Troll MDV 245) this is what I learned:
1. While the Classic is vented, the larger vents on the Troll make the sink range much greater (ie, the distance you have to pull the brakes to go from start of sink to stall is much longer). Up high, it felt like it was not an accelerating sink, unlike the Classic (which picks up speed quick). Never landed in a full sink so I don't know about that.
2. The Troll has very light toggle pressure, esp. compared to the Zero/Star Trac.
3. The Troll dives like hell if you let up the toggles quick, more than any of the acc canopies. Longer recovery.
4. The Troll doesn't 'rock back' on landing flare like the Classic tends to do. Performance there felt like the Star Trac.
5. Troll turns very slowly, much like the Classic/Zero, slower than the Spectre.
I realize this may only help a very small number of people, but hey, that's fine. And please add to what I have here if you can.