Date: 30.06.2004
Manual
Revision: 0
DEMON US
Page: 12
Performance Variable e.K. Am Tower 16, D-54634 Bitburg
Introductory Jumps
On your first jump with your new canopy –
please do not go to terminal!
We recommend making a 3-sec. delay
(because a subterminal opening will stretch fabric and lines symmetrically).
Also, pulling at a higher altitude will give you more time to become familiar with your
new canopy.
Even if you are familiar with ram-air parachutes, including PV canopies, your new parachute may
handle differently. Therefore always make several jumps with the purpose of getting to know your
new parachute.
Pick a day with favorable wind conditions and jump by yourself. Open high and find out how the can-
opy flies. Try slow turns and fast turns from no brakes, quarter brakes, half-brakes, three-quarter
brakes and full brakes!
Determine if the canopy helicopter turns (stall turns) and, if so, under what conditions. Find out how
the canopy recovers from various types of stalls. Stall the canopy several times and see how this
happens both from full flight and minimum air speed. Turn the canopy by pulling on the front or rear
risers rather than the toggles.
Fly some practice approaches and flare the canopy as you would when you land it. Notice how far
you must depress the toggles to get a landing stall and how quickly this stall occurs.
Keep track of your location relative to your intended landing area as you "test” your canopy so you
won’t drift too far away.
Discontinue your experimenting when you've descended to 1000 ft. above
the ground.
Plan and execute a conservative landing approach into a large, unobstructed landing area. Steer,
flare and land the canopy as you were taught by your instructor. Most jumpers underestimate how
far they will travel over the ground during the landing flare. Make sure you have enough open area
ahead of your intended touchdown point.
Since you might misjudge your early landings, be prepared to do a safe parachute landing fall rather
than a stand-up!
Such introductory jumps will help you discover what makes your canopy respond violently. The can-
opy will let you know that it is about to do something violent by its “feel.” You must be experienced
in these flight modes to know what it is telling you!
Knowing this will help you avoid these situations close to the ground when they can be quite danger-
ous.
