Skydiving safety - Wing loading & Downsizing your Canopy

This video covers the concept of wing loading, how it affects the piloting of a canopy & downsizing tips & tricks!
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Leave a comment 👇👇: When was the last time you downsize and why did you do it?
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EDIT - 1.2+ is considered a high-performance canopy (not necessarily pro)
Once you are a licensed skydiver, it's encouraged to start experimenting with different sizes of canopies. But, it is important to always jump canopies that are within your ability to fly.
If you can answer "YES" to those 4 questions then you may consider downsizing:
• Can you consistently fly to AND land your canopy in the designated landing area, within 10-20 meters of the target center?
• Can you consistently land standing up?
• Can you achieve the same results even with varying wind conditions?
• Can you land in a cross-wind condition if necessary?
Perhaps a very important question to ask yourself is “Why do I want to downsize?” ...
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[@SkydiveVibes]

👇: When was the last time you downsize and why did you do it?

[@northbaseuk882]

I downsized from a Sabre 135 (Wingsuit canopy) to a Sabre2 and Storm 120 the other week whilst abroad. I have a relatively low number of jumps (400 in 2 and a half years) however I have been on canopy courses, I regularly (almost every other jump) perform crosswind landings, high altitude stalls, rear riser landings, 90 degree HP landings, slow flight and high pulls. I haven't not stood a landing up since around my 100th jump. I got back from my trip abroad and didn't even bother asking my CI if I could jump the 120. I just hooked up my 135 and continued to jump it, to save any argument. I'm not one to argue with cheif instructors. However I have met people with 1000 (sometimes more) jumps who have never touched their front or rear risers, still sit down nil wind landings, don't even stow their slider properly etc. Jump numbers are not a particularly good indicator of ability. Why did I want to downsize? A few reasons really, one because I love that feeling when I pop the brakes and the speed increases. I love the feeling of being connected with a canopy, and just thinking about turning in the harness with your hands on the rears feels like enough. I love the landing performance, especially on nil wind days. If we are being honest I like having a smaller rig too, it's more comfortable and easier to freefly with. My reserve is a 128, and I have test jumped an OP126 to get a feel for what it might be like to pilot. No dramas, just remember to practice those flight drills - even at 1000ft there's still time for a practice flare. I might statistically be in a danger zone but I feel quite at ease flying a 120 in all conditions - and it brings me a lot of joy.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Eric Bowie Thanks for sharing and be careful size isnt the only thing to consider. The time to react is shorter as well so this is when experience is important. ;)

[@Fhorn5114]

I'm doing my first downsize now. I had 300 jumps on a pilot 167 and downsizing to a Saber2 150. I've been doing 90 degree front riser turns for 150+ jumps. The Pilot has such a short recovery arch, so any "high performance" landing needs to be close to the ground. Downsizing to be on a more swoop-friendly canopy.

[@vargasss]

Just downsized from a Sabre2 170 to a Crossfire3 149. I'm loving it!

[@Dizzyswoops]

Pedro Vargas what wingload on Crossfire?

[@flybeep1661]

A piece of advise I'm missing in this vid is to do some dedicated canopy jumps. Meaning doing hop n pops and experiment with the canopy higher up with no traffic. Also, take some canopy piloting courses. For most skydivers, except when you're a swooper, canopy piloting is all about the landing and nothing more, that's a wrong approach. Most pilots would only know how to land and steer their canopy one way while there are multiple ways.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Excellent points. ;)

[@phutton88]

Love your videos. Love your outtakes even more 😜

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks Paul!!

[@isackblue]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the tips 🙏🏻😃

[@Jahesh]

awesome feeling

[@iiDiann3]

Hi! I was wondering if you could provide me some advice. I am a smaller female (5’3 - 140lbs) who just got my license. I am still on a 240 canopy and am having a hard time finding a rig that will fit me and still keep me a canopy size that I’m comfortable with such as a 210. Is it worth me purchasing a new container since I am smaller and most containers for my stats will be for a smaller canopy or should I stick with used gear that obviously will not fit me and be uncomfortable?

[@ryansendlhofer2551]

1.2 is pro? In australia 1.1 -1.2 is like the WL after we become A licence (25-30 jumps)

[@SkydiveVibes]

I might have used the wrong wording there. 1.2+ is considered a high-performance canopy so not necessarily pro. (source CSPA MIP-2A) Thanks for pointing that out. ;)

[@Fhorn5114]

I think USPA says anything more than 1.4 WL is considered high performance or any canopy smaller than 150 regardless of WL.

[@Wawet76]

In France we have a regulation on allowed canopy size. To jumps at 1.2, you must have more than 600 jumps (or 400 and a special authorization, usually only given after canopy course). This regulation is very unpopular, but death count have dropped since it's in place...

[@ramongomez3720]

I got a question: Im a AFF graduate and iv got 11 jumps ¿can I jump anywhere in the world? or only in my local drop zone? I would like to get my A licence but I need to save some $$.

[@SkydiveVibes]

ramon gomez You'll be better off elsewhere with your full A license because until then you are still a student. This doesn't mean you can't jump elsewhere but it can be difficult. You should ask an instructor at your DZ.

[@flybeep1661]

I wouldn't say a WL of 1.2 plus is high performance. That would pretty much mean 80% of skydivers would be jumping high performance. I'd say 1.5 would be a more realistic number. At 1.2 there's really not much a difference compare to 1.0.

[@mateuszszeliga5947]

I'm just about to do my aff any tips for good start ? ;) Thanks for videos keep it going it helps people like me well done :)

[@airbornemike380]

Mateusz Szeliga Hey Mateusz.... first question... have you done a tandem yet? Im only asking because i made a mistake of making my first ever jump a level 1 aff. As a consequence i didnt really enjoy it due to very unexpectedly powerful sensory overload. I froze and forgot to do most of my actions required in stage 1. Thats the most important thing. Make sure you do a tandem first as only then will you really fully enjoy it. When you jump with a rig on your back, there's a lot to think about which prevents you from experienceing the freefall for what it really is. Do tandem 1st. Having said all this despite my mistake, i have jumped many more times since then. Good luck and blue skies:)

[@SkydiveVibes]

Mateusz Szeliga simply follow the instructions and enjoy. If you have the chance of doing some wind tunnel time, it will help as well. ;)

[@SkydiveVibes]

Michal Chruscinski Good point. It's surprising that they didn't ask you for your tandem first... It's usually the first step. ;)

[@mateuszszeliga5947]

Michal Chruscinski I've done my tandem two weeks ago and absolutely loved it 😎 time for aff then... Thanks for answer my friend have a good one :)

[@Wawet76]

@@SkydiveVibes It depends where you jump. In France, Tandem is not required before AFF. If someone wants to learn how to skydive, beginning with a tandem is generally seen as a waste of money...

[@himanshuarora694]

Hey Catherine, I am planning to enroll for AFF course. I am looking for a skydiving centers in Spain & Portugal. I am confused for which I should go for. Does that really matter or I am just thinking too much ? I have get in touch with " Skydive Portugal" in Portugal, obviously 😋. It seems nice to me but it would really helpful if I could get an expert opinion.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Hey, so it really just depends on which one you prefer because the course will most likely be the same. If one of them is offering wind tunnel time during your AFF, I would recommend it as it can help a lot! Keep it touch!

[@himanshuarora694]

Thanks for replying Catherine, I have checked, they don't have wind tunnel facility. But I found a place close to my city for indoor skydiving. Before starting my AFF course, I'll probably go there to experience wind tunnel.

[@xxergiusidor369]

Go for it as it will help you learn a stable position and more!

[@stopspinskydiving]

I see absolutely zero reason to downsize if you’re not a swooper or in competition. Too much risk to just say you’re flying a smaller canopy. I like my legs and ankles. No need to risk injury.

[@SkydiveVibes]

I agree with you. As long as you have a canopy that allows you to have fun and maybe not go backward in light winds. ;)

[@stopspinskydiving]

Skydive Vibes that’s true lol. I’m 200lbs on a pilot 210. It suits me fine. I’ll probably never go lower than a 190 if I do downsize.

[@flybeep1661]

@@stopspinskydiving Most say that, very few actual do it. I bet you're at the start of your skydiver career. You'll soon decide differently.

[@moomoomoomuu]

So what canopy are you jumping now?

[@sivonparansun]

@@stopspinskydiving jumping a sabre3 190 @ 1.15~1.2is exhilarating coming off other rental 210's and 230's. You burn through altitude QUICK tho ..

[@iskydiver]

Wow

[@Rustie_za]

do you swoop?

[@SkydiveVibes]

Johann Coetzee, no, I don't yet and don't plan to soon. ;)

[@Splattertube]

Sound advice.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks! Where do you jump?

[@Splattertube]

Long story short, I jumped at Perris Valley when I was active. My last jumps (2) were for my 50'th birthday selfibration when I got current and relicensed (at Perris). I hope to come back. I try to stay relatively up-to-speed with info and such. I enjoy your videos!

[@sivonparansun]

Whats your wingloading?

[@Quagmirian]

"Overall increased performance" - I disagree with that. Big canopies fly better.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Hmm they are usually smoother to fly... By performance, I mean fast & reactive.

[@Quagmirian]

That's not what performance is to a canopy pilot. Performance is what you can get it to do, not how snappy or responsive it is. Sorry if it looks like I'm making a big deal over this. I just don't like newer jumpers being potentially misled.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Well the USPA SIM talks about "high-performance canopy" describing those smaller ones. Maybe the term is used differently where you are.

[@Reaperdeathpunch]

I mean if you listen to swooping comps there was one where they talked about it and said the smaller the canopy the better performance you get out of it.

[@Dizzyswoops]

Quagmirian "Performance" means different things for different pilots, depends on what you're looking for. Nothing wrong with your definition, doesn't mean it's universal though.

[@MrFlyingPanda]

I can't place your accent. Are you Russian or French? 😂

[@SkydiveVibes]

haha I am a French Canadian. ;) What about you?

[@swatosi]

Hi. Great video. Thanks. So if i was happy on a 170 sabre2 (B licence, 160 jumps) how different the 150? What should i keep in mind? Thanks🤙🪂

[@SkydiveVibes]

If you had many jumps on your 170 and are landing it smoothly, you won't feel much difference with a 150. I would advise to keep the same type of canopy like another Sabre2.

[@tnipp1285]

great video

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks a lot!!

[@sandersaviato6065]

I should have listened to you 15 years ago because when I got approximately 70 jumps I bought this used canopy from my former instructor so I was jumping with 200 I went down to 170 Just guess what happened ...on the day I broke my left leg on half I did my final turn for the approach but I don't realize how fast altitude I was going to lose with this new canopy.... I was young and stupid and I don't have nobody to tell me that... Thank you for your video though you will going to help other skydivers Blue Skies

[@tedbates1316]

I really enjoy your videos. Keep it up 👍

[@theprivyninja]

What kind of container would you recommend? Just got my A license 😊

[@SkydiveVibes]

It really depends. Check on your DZ if there is a rep of a certain brand. This could make things easier in ordering. The brand is not really the most important; the sizing and fit on you are. ;) In terms of the size of canopy you need, ask your instructor about what he recommends. Where do you jump?

[@theprivyninja]

Skydive Vibes I jump at skydive Oregon! I’ve talked with a couple instructors there. They’ve pretty much said the same thing. I’m thinking either javelin or a infinity ( especially since they’re from Oregon) but all seem like good options. Thanks for the reply!

[@SkydiveVibes]

theprivyninja you are welcome!

[@richardtofield5210]

a container suitable for freefly could be good.if you start with f111 material then downsize and get zero porosity they might be the same pack volume and the new one still fits .you might be glad of that container later

[@theprivyninja]

@@richardtofield5210 I went with an i33 and a pilot 140 cause I was spicy.