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General Information & Flight Characteristics
About The EPICENE
The EPICENE is specifically designed to deliver consistent and reliable openings while wingsuit skydiving.
We have never jumped a skydiving parachute that opens so cleanly, immediately, and comfortably, and
in such a short amount of altitude. For us, this parachute has been a game-changer, and it has greatly
improved our skydiving enjoyment while testing and flying the larger suits in our range - actually, all suits.
When we skydive wingsuits of any size, the EPICENE is now our parachute of choice.
The EPICENE is based on the very same design tenets that make BASE jumping canopies reliable,
but we tuned the design to deliver more glide performance, softer openings, and better handling.
We have tested the EPICENE with a variety of packing methods and with different deployment
techniques, and its design is meant to ensure the best overall opening consistency available
today. A common sensation during the opening process of many parachutes is the stage when the
parachute seems to be “searching” for the final heading that it will settle on. The EPICENE opens
immediately and with minimal yaw-axis search.
Although the openings are faster than traditional skydive canopies, they are not uncomfortable if
deployment occurs at moderate airspeeds. It is a positive but gentle opening that will not wear
you out, even after many consecutive jumps. We love the lack of uncertainty during the opening
phase - you pitch, and get a parachute. Traditional skydiving canopies that are designed for
extended “snivel” during inflation are not ideal for wingsuit applications. We are convinced that
the EPICENE concept is the future of wingsuit skydive parachute design, and we look forward to
hearing what you think of it.
Flight Characteristics
The EPICENE is a specialist design that is meant specifically for experienced skydivers to use
during wingsuit skydiving. Today’s modern wingsuit pilots are flying larger and higher performance
wingsuits that have the potential to create significant wake turbulence. Many modern wingsuit
designs are restrictive and do not allow the freedom of movement that is available during normal
skydives to deal with parachute malfunctions. For these reasons, we designed a parachute that,
according to our testing and experience, is most likely to deliver consistent on-heading openings
during wingsuit use.
The EPICENE is in a class of its own and cannot be accurately compared to other current main
parachutes available. When using the EPICENE for the first time, be aware of the fact that many
factors will determine the quality of your parachute openings. If you take the necessary steps to
configure your equipment properly, we are confident that the EPICENE will become your parachute
of choice for wingsuit applications.
Glide Performance:
The EPICENE’s glide performance sits between a typical 7-cell reserve parachute, and a 7-cell ZP
lightly tapered (low aspect ratio) parachute. The EPICENE’s ZP leading edge provides increased
glide performance and flare power over canopies made entirely from 0-3 cfm (Cubic Feet / Minute)
fabric, but the low aspect ratio design and low-porosity main surfaces do not yield the same glide
performance as an all ZP design.
Toggle Inputs and Overall Handling:
Piloting the EPICENE is straight-forward and fun. It has a sporty and highly compact feel in the air,
with direct control inputs and progressive brake-travel. The EPICENE rolls into a turn quickly, but
also returns to level flight quickly when control inputs are ceased. The control range is progressive,
with building pressure towards the end of the range. Thanks to a carefully moderated spanwise sail
tension, the EPICENE’s handling is fun and forgiving with a responsive and coordinated feel, overall.
