Canopy Design Basics

Curious as to what skydiving parachutes (canopies) are made out of (both mains and reserves)? Curious to what we mean by "elliptical" or "semi-elliptical"? This video goes over some of the basics.
If you have questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
Further videos
Performance Design's KZbin Page: / @performance_designs
John LeBlanc's talk on Canopy Planforms/Design: • BPA Skydive the Expo 2...
Tony Bourke talking about canopy flight characteristics: • Talking About Canopy F...
Tony Bourke's parachute packing video: • How to Pack a Parachut...
Tony Bourke talking about canopy trim: • Canopy Basics: Trim

[@melaniewade7373]

Thank you! This has been very helpful! Blue skies always! 🤙🏼

[@Exotelis-skydive]

"Schmutz" made my day :D Blue skies from germany and thanks for the great video.

[@MeirbhinOConaill]

Great videos Tony. On the 5 cell canopies that are "no longer airworthy and shouldn't be jumped". The speciality comp CRW wings (PD Tango & NZ Aerosports Matrix2) are 5 cell, cross braced. The motivation is mainly down to reducing the span distance & extra lines between the "scoring" lines in 2 and 4 way sequential. There's a cool "W" mod that the Aussies came up with for the Matrix2 that reassesses the non scoring A lines so that only the scoring lines are on the leading edge allowing the foot to slide under the skin of the nose without catching non scoring lines. Minor detail mate, it's a great video and the 5 cell wings serve a very niche group of jumpers

[@shadeland]

Hey Meirbhin, cool! Thanks for that info! I was not aware of those 5-cells. The only ones I heard of where the old Swift reserves and some of the very early "squares". The old Swift reserves had the fly-away toggles like BASE canopies. Someone tried to sell one recently on Facebook for $800, which was hilarious.

[@MeirbhinOConaill]

@@shadeland I've never seen a swift but they sound like a candidate motorcycle cover or school science project. Keep up the great videos mate

[@MichaelMommyMilkers]

Thanks so much for publishing these videos!

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for this great video!

[@nickp2318]

Thanks Tony. Very descriptive... And the slides are pretty helpful

[@kevinmcgrath127]

Great contextualisation of many factors. Thanks

[@gaaligadu148]

great content 👌 would love to see more of these videos

[@RTBHvideo]

Great video! Thanks for all of the information.

[@FMA-mj8zp]

T hank you so much!! really great information!!!

[@badams2025]

Excellent presentation

[@hernandarion_]

Hi Tony, nice video! First of all, thanks for your knowledge. I would like to ask you for the opinion about the KATANA and XFIRE (135 sq.ft approx.). I would like to change my canopy for something intermediate!! The idea is to start the way for landing with more "power" and get a canopy for cameras tandems. I am flying now a PULSE 150 with WL 1.2. With the 135 sq.ft will get WL 1.4. I know about the progressions and I looking for more information about those canopies that I like them. Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@MikhailBaskov]

great video In Russia many DZs are operated in accordance with DOSAAF regulations. DOSAAF order from 2011 sets life limits on Western-made gear: - containers: 15 yrs (can be further extended by repetitive 6mo inspections by DZ riggers, until hard life limit of 20yrs) - mains: 15yrs - reserves: 12 yrs Russian rigs: per manufacturer's limits

[@leftsurface007]

Very informative, thanks!

[@ShaunC-s.c.]

I was given an 89 talon container that looks great, but I'm kinds nervous to bring it to the dz and ask around. Only used 3 years and stored pretty well

[@alexandergamerith4188]

Thanxs for this video!👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@michaelsage74]

Hey Tony what DZ do you work out of?

[@sivonparansun]

If you had to put experience or jump numbers next to intermediate advanced or expert canopy categories, how would you do that? I'm assuming I'm intermediate after canopy course and consistent stand up landings

[@armyx1813]

Gracias hermano.

[@anthonypope2106]

THE HEAT TREATMENT OF F111 IS CALLED (CALENDERING), THUS HEAT PRESSED WITH ROLLERS. This is the technical term. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendering_(textiles)