Basejumper.com - archive

Been building containers and speedflying harnesses etc for years now, made a few skydiving canopies recently, and figured I'd give a base canopy a go. Put the 2nd jump on it today and really put it through its paces.

Couldn't resist showing it off here.

http://www.youtube.com/...amp;feature=youtu.be

looks SWEET, Nick!!!!

have you tested anythign on it without popping the brakes?

Kinda, I unstowed the brakes without giving it much thought (I later tried to insert the toggle back through the cat eye mid flight with little success) but the 2nd rear riser stall/spin in the video is with several wraps taken on the brakes (essentially the same thing)

Next test jump I will be playing heavily with stowed brakes

Impressive work. How did you get into that kind of hobby? Or do you do it professionally?

Thanks! It all started as a hobby, I have always built anything and everything I am capable of, so it was only natural I started sewing stuff when I got into snow kiting at ~13, and later paragliding at ~15. Just simple kites, and stuff sacks at first. Skydiving rolled around at 18 and same thing, some totally awful looking jumpsuits that got laughs at the DZ, a PC made from mesh intended for little girls tutu's and some cheap ripstop from joann's fabrics that somehow managed to not explode for 75 skydives. Things slowly got better, and really actually started doing really critical rigging when I got into BASE at 19, with a velcro to 2 pin conversion. Got into speedflying, and repaired a 12m bullet that a friend flew through trees and turned into 2 6m Bullets. From there it was only a matter of time before I started building things from scratch, speedflying harnesses, a gargoyle-esque 2 pin rig, kept refining things until I ended up with a container people really liked, and started selling them. Same with the speedflying harnesses. About a year ago I spent a period of time living in New Zealand, and was able to pick Jyro's brain, and had access to a ridiculous amount of scrap/short roll that I was able to build my first canopy from, which stalled with 6" of brake input, and I had to chop, and have yet to land. I also built a copy of a Spectre 150 which worked well. Again, naturally the base canopy was only a matter of time. I built this design from scratch by pulling elements from other canopies I like. It is a 2/1 aspect ratio, thick profile, open nose, flat trimmed square 7 cell with oversize stabilizers. For the moment, canopies are a hobby, but I would like to eventually be selling complete base rigs.


So here I am, of exactly legal drinking age, sitting in the parents and manufacturing base gear Come by anytime.

Now I just feel lazy
Great work though on the canopy and best of luck getting it to production

be interested in knowing the stowed characteristics, you know, the ones you need in case shit goes to hell.

I did take a bunch of wraps which is effectively the same thing. Next jump I will do them with them actually stowed though. The 2nd rear riser turn was with "stowed" brakes

I've built all sorts of gear over the years. Always been too scared to build and jump a canopy. Hats off to you.

Thanks man. Never thought I would either, I wound up near NZ aerosports and it just kinda happened. You can buy enough F111 and line off paragear to build a 150ish square foot 7 cell for like $300-$400. It's honestly pretty easy, if you've done a lot of designing and building before. And it's definitely extremely rewarding to FLY THROUGH THE SKY and land softly using something you made.

I have still only skydived this canopy, but I am quite looking forward to putting a parachute I built on a container I built and saving my life with it.

I refuse to supprt Paragear. Their prices are bullshit. Much better and cheaper suppliers out there. Good luck with the canopy.

The way that thing opened is just amazing! Sweet work man, I'm super impressed. Always cool to hear about skilled people doing stuff like this! Keep the vids and post about it coming Go Black Sheep

Such as? Their prices are high on some stuff, but most places with better prices also won't sell in less than whole roll/bolt/gross increments.

you ought to get to know this guy...

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4342216;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

He's going through the same thing. He's been building his own canopies and working through the design process. I'm sure he would like to pick your brain and you might be able to get some ideas from him.

Lee

I have found it depends on what you are buying, their hardware, for example is way expensive. It also depends how much you are spending. With the $400 volume discount you can get F111 for $7.20/yd. I order a 50/50 split from DJ and paragear. Black type 8 is cheaper from DJ, but colored type 8 is actually cheaper from paragear for example. And some things like, curved pins, or cutaway cable is hard to find elsewhere.

And thanks! I have been following his project closely, and we talk from time to time.

rad. if anything, the community needs people like you. props on the great work!

Thank you, I try!

+1. I am always impressed by people who can build their own gear. I can't sew for shit!!