On Mar 17, 4:59 pm, Tinwings wrote:

The P124 Aviator isn't a new design. It's been available for about 10
years. For whatever reason it hasn't seemed to catch on. Comfort might
be the reason. I tried one on and there was no way that you could lay
on it for any length of time. I suspect that this will be the case for
any ram air parachute packed in a bag type deployment system (all of
them). The deployment bag, and ram air canopy construction, simply
does not allow the rigger much latitude in how to distribute the
canopy material in the parachute container. The traditional round
parachute with a daiper type deployment system affords the rigger much
greater freedom in how to arrange the canopy in the container. The
result is a much more comfortable rig to lay on.
If the concern is lower descent rate, there is a round parachute that
you might consider - Free Flight Enterprises Preserve V canopy. It is
rated at (if I recall correctly) 254 lbs @ 180kts and has a descent
rate simillar to the P124 canopy. The Preserve V is certified FAA TSO
C23d and is available in the Paraphernalia Softie line of containers.
Allen Silver (Silver Parachute Sales) has jumped this canopy and can
testify to the low descent and quick opening.

I just took my rig to be repacked today. Being a tall heavy guy,
finding the thinnest rig with adequate descent rate that will allow me
to fit in the cockpit has been a challenge. I currently have a Wedge
Softie with a Performance Design P-235 square canopy. My previous rig
was a Wedge Softie with a round Preserve III canopy that I sold after
being asked time after time by my rigger if I had a desire to be a
lawn dart! I will vouch for the change in comfort mentioned by
Tinwings. Unlike the Preserve III, the P-235 is stuffed into the
container like 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound sack. I thought it
would be a problem in the glider but it hasn't really been that bad
and I don't regret making the change.

The PD P-235 Owner's Manual is interesting reading. Particularly the
"Deployment Body Position and Airspeed" and Repack Cycle Sections.
See:
http://www.performancedesigns.com/do...rve_manual.pdf

I am also working with the rigger to come with acceptable methods to
mount survival gear, such as a PLB and other stuff, on the rig. The
last thing we came up with was to mount a pouch on the chest strap and
put everything in that. Not much room to mount things at any other
place on the harness. If anyone has recommendations for making sure
all the necessary gear bails out with you, please post them.

Steve