Flight Test: Pilot
April 2004
Aerodyne’s website reads, “The name says it all. A canopy designed by pilots for pilots”

They’re right. I had a lot of fun on this flight test...
Aerodyne International have been making their mark in the parachute industry since forming in late 2002 and merging a number of existing companies. They have invested heavily, including head-hunting key staff from across the industry, such as the late Ian Bellis, Edward ‘Bushman’ Anderson, Dominique Marcu and Arnold Collenteur.

The Pilot is their canopy marketed at the beginner and intermediate market and Aerodyne believe strongly in their product; “If you are looking for a canopy that you can truly enjoy, without the need to ‘work at it’, then the Pilot is the canopy you have been waiting for.”

The Pilot comes in various sizes from 104 to 210 and has Spectra 750 lines mounted on soft links as standard. The slider has dual retraction cords and the coloured line attachment tapes make pro-packing easy, particularly for those new to this method. The company’s Marketing Director, Edward ‘Bushman’ Anderson believes “the canopy to be unmatched” and the company are starting to take a real foothold in the industry.

Opening
Pitching the pilot chute at terminal, the Pilot gave a reassuring snatch as the bag was lifted from the container before a comfortable snivel – not so long it’s unnerving, but long enough to give that snug feeling of confidence in a soft opening. The last stage to full inflation is more prompt but very acceptable, to the extent that cameraflyers could jump this canopy.

Like a number of high performance canopies on the market, a sloppy pack job meant the canopy dived off to the side, but it quickly stabilised on a straight flight path. Should it open in twists then it may have a tendency to rotate if there is uneven pressure on the risers, but could equally sit still while you gently kick yourself round. The half brake setting provides stable flight characteristics and hence uneven pressures in the harness can still allow an acceptable opening.

Flight: snappy yet amiable
The test canopy had a fixed brake length providing slack in the brake lines when on full flight. This is the ideal position for them to be in allowing a full range of flight control. New models will now ship with a free end and a factory marking. This will allow those that want a more responsive canopy to shorten the factory setting if required, or equally to lengthen for increased docility.

Gentle toggle pressures allow the complete control range to be explored. The planform design of this nine-cell zero porosity canopy offers a snappier response compared to some other manufacturers’ products aimed at this market niche. Light riser pressures encourage all control methods to be used and make learning the canopy’s full abilities simple. Flat turns can be accomplished simply and a high level of control is still available in deep braked flight. Turbulence obviously affected on the canopy, but it still rode through it in a confident manner like a needle through cotton.

Pilot
9-cell, zero porosity, very lightly tapered
Manufacturer: Aerodyne
Aspect Ratio: 2.51
Sizes: 104, 117, 124, 132, 140, 150, 168, 188, 210 

VERDICT - Stars out of 10
Toggle Pressure ********
Front Risers ********
Glide Angle *********
Forgiving *******
Landings ******
In Turbulence ********
Value *********
Overall ********

Note: Glide angle refers to getting back from a deep spot.

SUITABLE FOR
Novices: ******
Intermediates: *********
Experts: *******
Extreme flyers: **
   
NB: The above is purely opinion and will change dependant on factors such as canopy size, wing loading and conditions.

  
Landing
A straight-in approach with a full flare, allowed an acceptable landing. Yet it didn’t ooze complete power in the way that a prince may be strong but a king has the absolute power. Adding more aggression shows how the canopy likes to fly. The light riser pressures allow for easy, confident rotations that can be cleanly held into a dive. Easing up provides a lovely recovery arc; not so sharp it removes the excitement, but enough to allow recovery from minor errors. The extra speed thus generated provides the ability to almost stop the canopy using a full and efficient flare process.

Suitable for: most
For the novice this canopy might seem slightly twitchy, but it will give those snappy turns that most are after. A mature judgement of ability and choice of larger size should still allow the capable novice to progress sufficiently on one. As skills progress and techniques are refined this canopy is definitely suited to more of an intermediate or experienced jumper at the appropriate wing loading for their canopy piloting skills.

Aerodyne’s website reads, “The name says it all. A canopy designed by pilots for pilots.” They’re right. I had a lot of fun on this flight test – so much so that, when it was finished, I kept the canopy in my container for a few more jumps to really enjoy those flight characteristics that the Pilot is all about.

Article by Al Macartney
alastair@macartney.co.uk

Photos: Big Al

See Aerodyne website for recommended wing loadings and flight characteristics
www.aerodyne-int.com

Other flight tests
Sabre 2
Safire 2
Katana