Ep 47 Downsizing as discussed by Putz

[@jaco5187]

I'm a pretty new jumper, and there's a lot I still don't understand. But here's a question: is a small, docile canopy equal to a large, aggressive canopy? For example, my exit weight is 175. Would I get the same performance out of a Pulse 120 as a Katana 170? Would they be 'equal' in performance?

[@RsKD34]

Worthy info. Thank you so much!

[@mattstevens1074]

Nice work Garnett and Putz👌

[@BurninatorTheTrogdor]

I thought I had my landings down until my Flight 1 course. WOW I suck so bad! It was carnage the two days, cross winds and strong. If you rent gear, find an canopy you can land well and stay on it for a long time. Accuracy in all conditions is the biggest for me. You chop or land off, you better know your sht.

[@mrbreeze9116]

There are helicopter jumps going on at a nearby dz and I signed up with some friends of mine. I have 60 jumps and I fly a 210 with a wingloading of one. The dropzone said they rent out rigs, but its possible they might only have a 190 available. I land fine on light wind days, and safely on no wind days with my 210. My more experienced friends have told me that a 190 wont be much different and it should be fine. What do you think?

[@genuinetrueblue]

I wish this guy was my Instructor before I was involved in a life changing skydiving accident.

[@beezowdoodoozoppitybopbopb9488]

What happened?

[@BWS952]

​@@beezowdoodoozoppitybopbopb9488 downsized too fast

[@310sbell]

I'm new. I want to downsize so I can find used canopies. I was 185# jumping a 230 sabre2 now I'm 170 and thinking of downsizing to a 210sabre2. I really came here to ask if the I should expect the same flight experience since my wing loading will be similar on the same model. I am 34jumps in. Just started jumping 6months ago. At the moment I don't care about doing any tricks, I just want to be good at flying and find gear to make the sport a little more affordable. I jump in Dallas Texas My canopy course is in 2 weeks on my path to get my B license and I was thinking downsizing beforehand so I'm get schooled using the new size. Helpful thoughts and insight would be appreciated

[@BjorckBengt]

230 to 210 is a small step and if you are that light it shouldn't be a problem. Sabre 2 is a forgiving chute.

[@mknight6556]

Are you still jumping? Id probably wait and get a 170 if i were you. Then you would be future proofed lol

[@310sbell]

@@mknight6556 I went with the mirage with a max 170. Got the sabre 3 170 and the container will let me size down to a 135. So I'm hoping this one lasts me a long time.

[@mknight6556]

@@310sbell good stuff. Blue skys!

[@310sbell]

@@mknight6556 I'm going to give it hell. The weekend of Friday the 13th this month I was supposed to be going to New Orleans for four nights but the trip got canceled so I think I'm going to go to the DZ instead. My first pack job is sitting in my container right now. New canopy, slippery AF and hard to jam in there. Been working too much to get the class, the DZ is an hour away from work and hour and a half from home.

[@Pbairsoftman]

I always hear a ton of advice that goes like “You shouldn’t downsize because X, X, and X.” So what’s a good reason to downsize? Also, why are all the experienced jumpers (even the ones that don’t swoop) jumping tiny canopies if there are so many reasons not to?

[@blueskiesfundays2671]

Cameron and other coaches are not saying don't downsize but rather do it is a progression of capability based on experience. As a student we put people on big canopies because it is the safest for people with limited knowledge. As they progress we can allow them to jump smaller canopies that give increased freedom and performance because they have gained some canopy flying experience. And then there is the downsizing to canopies the demand a high level of currency that are easier to pack, lighter and allow you to fly in a greater variety of conditions. For more detail, please talk to your local chief instructor or a respected canopy coach. It is all about safety margins and not want people to get hurt.

[@petermckenzie7135]

There is an awful lot of "depends"... 20 years in the sport I am jumping a 190 (at about 1.45). I am working on improving my canopy but I jump big ways - landing an ~80' canopy through 100 other canopies is not part of my plan. If you want to compete in swooping, great. What is your sport progression plan - that will influence your canopy progression plan.