Basejumper.com - archive

Hi,

Couldn`t find this anywhere so here goes. I have been wondering about the relevance of wing load and time/vertical distance spent until under a flying canopy. Lets say you do a go`n throw, no delay, with a 48" and have a choice between a 242 (flik) and a 265 (245 troll). Would the opening altitude (flying canopy) be different? Is one of them a better choice then the other. Distance to landing area etc does not matter. And the same question, just for S/L or PCA.

I feel that with a bit of delay, a bigger canopy (less wing load) is faster, but I have no science/measurements to back this up. Only that the bigger surface creates a bigger force relative to the pilot weight.. but then again, pressurization will be slower..or..?

Appreciate any inputs :)

On a go and throw the smaller canopy will lift to line stretch faster due to the weight of the pack job alone. If a 48PC is lifting an extra 40sq/ft of parachute how could it lift as fast?
I believe as airspeeds increase this difference becomes less. Not because the bigger canopy lifts any faster but because you can't drag it out of the sky as much during the pressurization phase. Not too sure at what airspeeds or canopy size differences this becomes noticeable though.