Wing Loading Chart - (Downsizing)

[JBar]

Hey everyone,

although I don't even have 100 jumps on my back I have read up on a lot of the canopy flying theory, since it fascinates me what you can do with your canopy. Especially Brian Germain's work is very eye opening, I don't know if the manuscript is posted here, but for instance on DZ.com he has posted a very useful overview with a chart of exit weight and Jump numbers up to 500 jumps,
what size you should jump, what the minimum size is you should be jumping, what you should know before downsizing and how it's done right.

http://www.bigairsportz.com/pdf/bas-sizingchart.pdf

this is the link to the manuskript, I found it very useful as to getting to know my Canopy, or just giving me an idea what is possible with my canopy!
Of course there is some things that don't have an effect on bigger canopies,
but an Instructor would tell you that, while you'd be talking to him before trying any of this stuff.

about the question above what is a high wingloanding I found in "The Parachute and its Pilot" by Brian Germain a Wingload Never Exceed chart, that suggests the following WL for Jumpnumbers:

WL #of Jumps
1.0 <100
1.1 100-199
1.2 200-299
1.3 300-399
.
.
1.8 800-899
1.9 900-999
2.0 1000+

I think this is a conservative but safe downsizing pattern.
Of course in the end it comes down to if you feel safe under your canopy and if
you can do everything necessary under canopy for instance avoiding traffic and/or obstacles in ANY situation without endangering yourself and/or others.

Get to know your canopy up high where there's no traffic (hop and pops...), it can be loads of fun, you'll be more comfortable and it WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE ONE DAY.

Be Safe
Blue Skies

Julian

[lliebler]

Originally Posted by Chad

If you add the gear of 25 lbs to the 225 you end up with 1.56 wing loading.
Lot's of flare power and it will be a fast landing going down wind!
Who makes a 160? Usually it's 150, 170, 190, 210......

Yo Chad!
I'm back after a little hiatus! I think Triathalon makes a 160. I almost got one, and apparently those have a ton of flare, and good accuracy.

I think to answer the question from above, the USPA categorizes canopies 150 sq ft and below as high performance due to their glide angle and elliptical shape. So yes and no. The 160 would not be considered a true high performance canopy (without wing loading taken into consideration...) Although it VERY well could be considered dangerous and "high performance" when you account for heavy wing loading and less experience.

Cheers guys!