Performance Variable Quick 113, Manual

Page: 10 / 29

Quick.us /
Performance Variable 10
4
Remember that some chemicals will continue to degrade the parachute long after
initial exposure. Regular and thorough inspections are necessary to insure the
structural integrity, reliability and flight characteristics of the system are maintained.
Always know the entire life history of every part of your parachute system. That way
you will know no part has been exposed to an element that may seriously weaken or
damage it.
It is important for your safety and enjoyment that you match your canopy with your
ability and weight.
PV canopies are built in several models that span a wide range
of canopy surface area. Any canopy's descent rate and forward speed increases as
the weight it is carrying
—the so-called exit weight— increases. The canopy also be-
comes more responsive as forward speed increases. It also reacts more radically
when it is stalled or turned.
Because of these aerodynamic facts, it is unsafe to put
too much weight under any
particular canopy. Safe and comfortable landings will be difficult to obtain, even for
experienced jumpers under ideal conditions. Less experienced jumpers will have
even a harder time and be at greater risk.
Determining the
wing loading of the parachute you intend to jump or buy is a good
guide to match your weight to a particular canopy.
Wing loading is easily calculated by dividing the total
exit weight in pounds by the
surface area of the canopy in square feet. Total exit weight is the weight of the
jumper plus all his clothing and gear, including the main parachute itself.
The surface area of
PV canopies is printed on the data panel, on the center cell rib
or on the center cell top surface near the tail. (Be sure to actually check the data
panel—canopies of different sizes may look the same.)
A typical ready-to-jump sport piggyback (rig and both canopies) weighs 20 to 30 lbs.
Add this, plus the weight of your jumpsuit, clothing and accessories to your body
weight to get the total suspended weight.
For example, a jumper who weighs
165 lbs. wearing his jumpsuit and who jumps a
packed rig that weighs 25 lbs. would have an exit weight of 190 lbs.
Picking the Right Canopy