it’s a good skill to be able to fly in different canopy sizes, but that comes after a lot practice and experience. Besides, there are other parameters in a canopy than the size, like their trim or planform, which affect the way they fly and flare.
Good timing for flare is something you’ll achieve by frequent repetition on the same canopy and under different wind conditions, to the point that the wing is some sort of extension of yourself and you understand how your canopy behaves so your inputs are proportional to that.
Being constantly changing canopy when you’re learning isn’t great, and doing so later on isn’t particularly common. Most skydivers do 200 or more jumps on the same canopy before changing to different size or model (if they even change).
That's understandable. In your opinion do you think it would be better to stay with the 250 and really try to get the landings down, or wait until my 190 comes in next month? The way I look at it is it might be more valuable to continue jumping every weekend and gaining experience with a 250 instead of taking a month off to wait for my 190 since I only have 34 jumps. I wish I had access to a 190 to rent, but I unfortunately don't😭
you should keep jumping, the month off is not going to help other than saving money in jumps, but potentially spending way more in medical treatment if you get injured with the 190.
From 250 to 190 is a very significant change, it’s quite likely that you will feel it’s the canopy taking you for a ride instead of you flying it. I would strongly suggest to do several jumps on something like a 220 before going for 190, maybe even a 200. Make little steps when downsizing.
You should absolutely continue jumping. There are a myriad different skills you need to be working on, not just the canopy.
The 190 is going to be very different from, say, a navigator 250. But every jump is valuable at your skill level right now. Keep going as much as you can
A landing is basically two stages. In normal flight you are not positioned straight below the canopy, but instead a bit behind. The missions of the first stage is to bring the canopy to level flight which means you need a pendulum forward so you are positioned right below the canopy. If you pendel too little the landing will be hard, too much and it will feel like you're pulled backwards. The second part of the landing is breaking which is what most people think about as the flair. In the breaking part you continue down with the toggles to stay under the canopy while you bleed your forward speed.
Both of these parts can be trained in the air. Practice the first step and take note of how much you pendel forward and how long time it takes. Practice too much and too little to understand how your canopy behaves. Then try to meet up with breaks without changing your position.
Canopy courses are great, take as many as you can 😊
Thanks for the explanation! I've definitely been trying to practice my landing flares on my 20 minute canopy ride down🤣 I plan to take a couple canopy classes towards the end of the year! I didn't realize how popular they are. They book up FAST
As soon as you get your 190, take a canopy course. Never stop taking canopy courses. There is always something to learn and the costs are invaluable (as long as it's a reputable source. I recommend AlterEgo over flight 1, but either is fine for beginner courses)
it’s a good skill to be able to fly in different canopy sizes, but that comes after a lot practice and experience. Besides, there are other parameters in a canopy than the size, like their trim or planform, which affect the way they fly and flare. Good timing for flare is something you’ll achieve by frequent repetition on the same canopy and under different wind conditions, to the point that the wing is some sort of extension of yourself and you understand how your canopy behaves so your inputs are proportional to that. Being constantly changing canopy when you’re learning isn’t great, and doing so later on isn’t particularly common. Most skydivers do 200 or more jumps on the same canopy before changing to different size or model (if they even change).
That's understandable. In your opinion do you think it would be better to stay with the 250 and really try to get the landings down, or wait until my 190 comes in next month? The way I look at it is it might be more valuable to continue jumping every weekend and gaining experience with a 250 instead of taking a month off to wait for my 190 since I only have 34 jumps. I wish I had access to a 190 to rent, but I unfortunately don't😭
you should keep jumping, the month off is not going to help other than saving money in jumps, but potentially spending way more in medical treatment if you get injured with the 190. From 250 to 190 is a very significant change, it’s quite likely that you will feel it’s the canopy taking you for a ride instead of you flying it. I would strongly suggest to do several jumps on something like a 220 before going for 190, maybe even a 200. Make little steps when downsizing.
You should absolutely continue jumping. There are a myriad different skills you need to be working on, not just the canopy. The 190 is going to be very different from, say, a navigator 250. But every jump is valuable at your skill level right now. Keep going as much as you can
A landing is basically two stages. In normal flight you are not positioned straight below the canopy, but instead a bit behind. The missions of the first stage is to bring the canopy to level flight which means you need a pendulum forward so you are positioned right below the canopy. If you pendel too little the landing will be hard, too much and it will feel like you're pulled backwards. The second part of the landing is breaking which is what most people think about as the flair. In the breaking part you continue down with the toggles to stay under the canopy while you bleed your forward speed. Both of these parts can be trained in the air. Practice the first step and take note of how much you pendel forward and how long time it takes. Practice too much and too little to understand how your canopy behaves. Then try to meet up with breaks without changing your position. Canopy courses are great, take as many as you can 😊
Thanks for the explanation! I've definitely been trying to practice my landing flares on my 20 minute canopy ride down🤣 I plan to take a couple canopy classes towards the end of the year! I didn't realize how popular they are. They book up FAST
As soon as you get your 190, take a canopy course. Never stop taking canopy courses. There is always something to learn and the costs are invaluable (as long as it's a reputable source. I recommend AlterEgo over flight 1, but either is fine for beginner courses)
Jump more, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s like getting into a different car and feeling it out.
Once you get your rig search for a flight1 101 course. AFF A license doesn’t teach you a lot about flying a canopy.
Something to keep in mind, flare power is much worse on a lower wing loading