Parachute Designs by Brian Germain
The Samurai is our high performance 9-Cell elliptical parachute equipped with
“Airlocks." Based on the Jedei Sweptwing, the Samurai
is a versatile airfoil that will please both conservative experienced skydivers,
and super-swoopers alike. The rigid feel of the wing is reminiscent of the Jedei,
but without the severe “ground-hungriness” that some customers didn’t like.
Make no mistake, however, the Samurai will out-swoop the Jedei both in overall
distance as well as in softness of the touchdown.
The Samurai features the original Germain Airlock design (same as the Jedei),
a much stronger and better looking construction method, reduced pack volume,
softer openings, more consistent front riser pressure, which all adds up to
even more rigid feeling in turbulence!!!
Available sizes (sq. ft.)*: 95, 105, 120, 136, 150, 170
*The Measuring technique is similar to that used by Performance Designs.
Wing-Loading
"Wing-Loading" is the way in which parachute designers define the relationship of the weight
of the skydiver to the size of the parachute. Wing Loading is measured in Pounds Per Square
Foot (lbs/sf).
We steer experienced and aggressive pilots toward the 1.5 to 1.8 lbs/sf (many
pilots are comfortable above 2.0lbs/sf). Intermediate and conservative pilots
toward the 1.3 - 1.5 range. They have even been used by inexperienced jumpers
at very low wing-loadings... Ultimately, wing-loading is a matter of preference
and experience.
Aspect
Ratio
"Aspect Ratio" is the relationship of a canopy's span (wingtip-to-wingtip))
to it's chord (front-to-back). {Example: a completely square parachute has an
aspect ratio of 1.0}
The aspect ratio is similar to the Jedei, which is lower than the Stiletto. (about 2.65 to 1,
depending upon how you choose to measure it). This is slightly higher than the Jedei, while
still lower than the Vengeance.
By utilizing a moderate aspect ratio, we have found that the openings are remarkably
consistent and almost completely free of malfunction, even in line-twists.
Elliptical Planform
"Planform" is the general shape of the wing when viewed from the top or bottom. Different
elliptical shapes perform very differently, and a designer must choose the shape carefully in
order to illicit the intended performance envelope.
The Samurai has a dual-tapered planform, meaning that the leading and trailing edge both
have curvature. However, we have found that excessive curvature of the leading edge can lead
to such negative attributes as opening problems, particularly in line-twists, as well as excessive
"over-steer" (see next passage). Therefore, the ellipse used on the Samurai is tapered much more
on the trailing edge than the leading edge of the canopy.
For all our Jedei Pilots, the Jedei had no leading edge taper whatsoever. This had many
advantages, but created very ground-hungry turns, as well as heavy front riser pressure.
These negative attributes have been eliminated in the next Generation Jedei: the Samurai!
Over-Steer
"Over-Steer" is a wing's tendency to continue turning even after the control input is ceased.
This "slippy-slidey" feeling is considered by most pilots to be a nuisance. Therefore, the
Samurai has no over-steer following a toggle turn.
We have, however, found that a small degree of over-steer is helpful in attaining the maximum
swoop distance. The Samurai, therefore has a bit of over-steer following a front-riser turn, the
approach method most used by expert "turf-surfers". This characteristic can be maximized or
minimized using weight shift in the harness.
Weight-Shift
"Weight-Shift" is the use of deliberate leaning in the harness as a control input. Lifting
your right knee will cause a left turn on most canopies, particularly ellipticals.
The Samurai responds very well to a shift in C.G. to one side of the harness, and is necessary
to get the ultimate ground swoop. By leaning into the turn, the pilot can increase the rate of
dive, as well as the length of the recovery arc. In fact, the Samurai will do a very enjoyable
and useful "auto-spiral" through the use of ONLY weight-shift. We have found this an excellent
method of spiraling to get below other canopies with minimum effort.
To utilize the over-steer and weight-shift response of the Samurai on front-riser approaches,
try releasing your front riser prior to achieving your final approach heading. Then complete the
rotation and dive using only your weight shift. Leaning into the turn keeps the dive and turn going,
while leaning away from the turn begins your level-out.
Interestingly, the highest recorded speeds on our test flights have been utilizing weight shift
to create a low-drag turn.
Glide Ratio
"Glide Ratio" is the flight path of a wing, measured in descent distance compared to forward
progression. Unfortunately, this flight characteristic varies greatly with use and flying conditions,
making it difficult to accurately quantify. We find it most useful to simply compare our canopies to
others of similar design.
The glide of the Samurai is a bit flatter than the Jedei, but still steeper than the Stiletto (it's
flatter than the FX and the Velocity by far).
I don't land out, if that answers your question...
Recovery Arc
"Recovery Arc" describes the amount of time and altitude required for a parachute to recover to
level flight following a radical maneuver. Although it is difficult to quantify this characteristic
in a manner that would be useful, generalities can be very helpful when choosing a canopy.
The Samurai falls somewhere between the Jedei and the Stiletto in it's aggression to recover from a
dive. In other words, the Samurai will dive fairly aggressively immediately following an airspeed-increasing
maneuver, but gradually pull out on it's own to a slowly-descending, high-speed flight mode. This design
characteristic makes the Samurai very easy to swoop successfully, as you are able to pick up speed at a
high altitude, and then wait for the right moment to level off with a bump on the toggles. Compared to
canopies that pull you to level flight before you are ready, the Samurai is much easier to land, and swoops
further across the ground.
Slow-Flight
"Slow-Flight" is, as it sounds, a parachute's ability to fly slow without stalling or loosing directional
control.
The Samurai is very comfortable in deep brakes, with a very slow stall speed. This softens your touchdowns,
and makes braked-approaches a possibility.
Construction/Materials
All Big Air parachutes are made exclusively from Performance Textiles SOLARMAX
fabric. No other fabric lasts as long, period.
All the reinforcing tapes are extra strong, above and beyond what is customarily
used in the skydiving industry.
Our lines are Spectra, with the exception of the brake lines, which are made
from Vectran. This proven method prevents shrinkage of the brakes, which prevents
many of the problems caused by dimensional change associated with spectra brake
lines. Our method of scaling and manufacturing linesets in unsurpassed in the
industry, making every canopy fly exactly the same, without the hassle of built-in
turns.
The seams of Big Air canopies are the same utilized in many of Performance Designs newer designs,
including the Velocity and the Vengeance.
At Big Air we have a very simple philosophy on the longevity of our product:
"We get customers by building the best parachutes in the world,
not by having the old ones wear out."
Precise Computer Cutting
All of Big Air's canopies are designed and cut out by an advanced computer system. This affords us the
ability to design more complicated and exact panel shapes, and cut them out with perfect consistency. You
should expect nothing less from a company like
Big Air...
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