What's going on?!

[david]

OK, here it is. The Fall winds are really picking up here in the mid-west. So I've been taking longer delays off my favorite "A". ( It's 350ft.) The higher tail winds get me out over the landing area just fine. I have still been using the same size pilot chute (48" ZP). I normally have great on heading preformance. Not anymore, my openings have been all over the place.
So, is my pilot chute to big now that I'm taking longer delays. Is the increased winds at exit and deployment altitude giving me these off headings, Or, I just can't pack worth a damm anymore?:'(

Thanks
Dave O

[d-dog]

If you are jumping your A with a tailwind, then an increase in wind speed (up to some threshold where the wind is just really raging) should not degrade your on-heading performance unless you are doing floaters, side or front.

However, using a 48 and taking a delay longer than 1 - 1.5 seconds could cause noticeable center cell strippage (particularly if you aren't jumping a Multi). Many knowledgeable jumpers believe center cell strippage will noticeably degrade on-heading performance as the canopy is elongated violently during extraction from the container.

Invest in a good 46 or 42 PC for 2 - 2.5 second delays from that baby. Better yet, invest in a vented 42 and a vented 46 and increase your on-heading performance even more by decreasing PC oscillation.

Peace,

D-d0g
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com

[david]

Thanks for the impute D-Dog. I have a couple of 45' ZP pilote chutes, I might try of those. I've got a F-111 on the way. I'll try it out too. Damm I love buying more gear!!:7}>

Thanks
Dave O

[guest]

Dave O. Send me an email, I live in the midwest too, so lets go jump off something.
mozfly@hotmail.com
later-matt

[Skinflicka]

Hey guys,

Where abouts in the Mid-West are you both?

Maybe we can hook up sometime.

Cya,

Skin

:+

[david]

I live at the home of the BLUES, RAMS, and CARDNALS, who I must say kicked the sh*t out of the boys from AZ yesterday. GO CARDS!!

Dave O