Re: [jasonf] 1st Base Canopy?
In reply to:
>> I do not believe it is possible to fly and land a >> Black Jack at the same speed as a FOX and if it >> were I believe it would take a lot of practice. >> Flying in brakes is necessary sometimes but it >> means you are deforming the wing and hence >> the more brake you have to use the less >> efficient your wing is going to be. I do not >> believe all canopies should have as little forward >> speed as a FOX, there needs to be a balance.
-----So, If I read you correctly, you feel the Blackjack can not be slowed down enough to match the fox? This might be generally true,but I have found my Blackjack to be quite acceptable for sinking into small areas. Granted, I have never been to Australia, and wouldn't begin to say that my jumping experiences equal those areas you guys have to accept as normal. I think a Blackjack could compete with a fox. Also, if you vary your loading to suit your needs, would that help you? Like, get a bit bigger Blackjack which should fly slower for you (I agree you probably would not want the composite top for Australia). My Blackjack is a size 310 and my Fox is a 285. I weigh 200 naked, subject to slight loss on my summer activity. I have only a few demo jumps on a Flik, so I can't really give info on that, but my gut feeling is that the Flik is better than the Fox, in an all around fashion. I still have a Fox, but it has vent covers and 5th line installed (only one jump so far on the 5th line). The covers made a huge difference on the landing - doesn't pound me in like it did before.
>> To date 6 jumpers in Oz believe the 5th upper >> control line on a FLiK/FOX make the canopy to >> difficult to fly safely.
Why? Do you think it turns too fast, stalls too quickly, has less slow speed control or what? I am interested as I have the 5th line now and will be looking for differences, so info from you guys is appreciated.
>> In my opinion a faster canopy has the potential >> to result in the following disadvantages:
>> * Harder to sink at steep angles for extended >> lengths of time (as required
>> when sinking into a small landing area >> surrounded by 20ft trees)
>> * Landings with little forward momentum tend to >> be harder to achieve
>> * Landings with forward momentum require >> several steps to be taken when touching down >> (more suited to landing areas without large >> rocks & not on steep slopes)
>> * Object strikes when landing have the potential >> to be harder
>> * Has potential to generate more speed in turns
>> * Potential to surge more erratically when >> transitioning from a deep sink to drive
>> * More difficult to establish ideal brake settings >> for various openings (slider down, sub-terminal >> slider up etc.) due to increased sensitivity
>> * Less time to make decisions while under >> canopy
>> In Oz the landing areas are primarily steep >> slopes or covered in large rocks
>> ........ the thought of jumping one (a Blackjack) >> in Oz scares me.
-------- Again, I say LOADING. By all means I am a big proponent of jumping what meets YOUR needs. I have found that the only way to tell is by getting hold of a canopy and jumping it. (Thats how I came to have so many damn rigs). If possible get a Flik and a Blackjack and jump them. I have nothing against a Flik, i think BR makes solid gear. I feel and fly a bit better with the Blackjack. (Even compared to a same size ACE - I think the vents make a difference, even though the makers say it shouldn't) I felt sort of the same way with the vented Troll - it is a ok canopy, but i feel better with the Blackjack.
>> There is an experienced Oz jumper who even >> believes a FLiK is too fast for our conditions. >> While I understand where he is coming from you >> have balance the overall performance of both >> canopies.
-------- Did I mention Loading yet? It really makes things different if you get a bigger canopy, and with my Blackjack, even when I get down to 185, I still have enough forward speed for the winds BASE should be done with. And, I ain't afraid of landing backward in a large field like landing area, like several towers we jump.
>> I am about to purchase a larger FLiK but I would >> be willing to change the order to Blackjack.
-----By all means make the best decision you are able to and for Australia, go BIG (I think anyway). If there is anyway to get a jump on the size and brand you want, that will tell you more than eveyones opinion about their situation. I really think you have the right attitude about getting the canopy that will do best for you, so good luck in your search. This probably wasn't much help, I found I had to jump the rigs to find out and just one weekend of it wasn't enough - need various conditions and especially with no wind.
Hey, if nothing else, this can serve as something for Tom to bounce off of!!!
later
