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SkyFest is focused on the education of skydivers to help them pursue the sport in a safer and productive manner, both for the sport and for themselves. Here you'll find articles contributed by people who have studied, tested, and researched many aspects of skydiving in order to provide better information for those that come after them. Read up and use what you learn.
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Getting the Best Performance from Your Canopy |
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Written by Scott Miller
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The way your main canopy performs is mostly determined by the size and type of canopy that you choose. No matter what type of main you fly, though, whether it’s a hot new zero-p “elliptical” or a tired but trusted old “F-111” type canopy, there are several ways to get better performance from it.Read More... |
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Downsizing Intelligently: Choosing the Best Canopy Size Part 1 |
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Written by Scott Miller
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“What size canopy should I buy?”
Anyone who makes more than a handful of jumps will eventually ask this question. Almost every skydiver transitions to a different size canopy at least once, if not several times. When you ask this question, it’s important to find the right answer. And if someone asks you the same question, it’s important to give good advice.Read More... |
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Choosing the Right Canopy, Part 2: Cells, Shapes, and Skins |
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Written by Scott Miller
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This is the second of two articles on how to choose a main canopy. Last month, we discussed canopy size and wing loading, and looked at factors to consider when downsizing. In this article, we will examine differences between various types of canopies.Read More... |
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TK's Accuracy Seminar |
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Written by David TK Hayes
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As you descend under parachute – the horizon appears to be rising in your field of view. Since you can never reach the horizon, you can assume that objects rising in your field of view are unreachable – you are undershooting them.
If you look down, as you fly over objects on the ground, they appear to move down relative to your field of view. You are overshooting those objects, so you can also assume that an object moving down in your field of view means you are overshooting it.Read More... |
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Solving Deployment Problems |
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Written by Performance Designs
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There are many factors that contribute to the opening characteristics of any parachute. When selecting a canopy to jump, you determine some of the basic opening characteristics by choice of canopy design and suspension line type. For example, the actual opening shock loads transmitted to the jumper and equipment is reduced by the amount the lines stretch. Microline stretches less than Dacron line, so higher shock loads will be transmitted with Microline. All canopies have inherent opening characteristics. However, the actual openings you experience are heavily affected by other factors that only you can control. The opening characteristics of some canopies are more heavily influenced by these factors than others. When left uncontrolled, these factors can cause or contribute to extremely hard openings, canopy damage, equipment malfunction, even serious injury or death!Read More... |
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The Lowdown on Low Turns: What Every Skydiver Should Know. |
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Written by Scott Miller
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“I'm really careful under canopy. I never make low turns.”
You've probably heard someone say this before. You might even say it yourself. You might also think that most people involved in low-turn accidents are "hot shots" making radical approaches under heavily loaded canopies. These accidents might stop if people would just heed the warning most students are given in their first jump course: low turns under canopy are dangerous. Don't do them.Read More... |
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Some Tips on Buying Your First Rig |
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Written by Lisa Briggs
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You've decided on a few containers you like, a reserve size and shape, an AAD (or not), and what size and possibly brand of main you want. Now it's time to try some out. You wouldn't buy a new car without taking it for a test drive. You'll be happiest with your new rig if you've had a chance to test drive your choices before you order.Read More... |
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Taking Care of Your New Gear |
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Written by Lisa Briggs
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There is nothing quite like the look and feel of brand new gear. You have invested a lot of money in your new rig; how do you keep it looking and feeling new for as long as possible? Read More... |
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Spot Cleaning of Nylon Parachute Fabric |
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Written by Mike Turoff
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Most stains can be avoided by immediately wiping the stained area with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. Always handle the fabric carefully and treat the smallest area possible. The following cleaning procedures have been used successfully to remove stains from coated and non-coated parachute fabrics:Read More... |
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So, You Want to Be a Rigger? |
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Written by Derek
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Parachute rigging can be a rewarding and educational experience. The more you know about your gear and understand how it works, the safer you are and can make better-educated gear decisions. Parachute rigging is serious business and is not to be taken lightly. Earning the Senior Parachute Rigger's Certificate is no easy task and symbolizes a tremendous achievement. Read More... |
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Airlock |
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Written by Brian Germain
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There is a considerable amount of chatter about “valved” parachutes going around these days. Many skydivers believe that airlocked parachutes are the way of the future, while others see the introduction of this new technology as a temporary fad. In this article I will discuss the pros and cons, as objectively as I can, to this new development in parachute design. Read More... |
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