To use the graph:   

1. Locate your total launch weight on the horizontal line of the graph. Include the weight of your hang glider, harness, instruments, your body weight and anything else you fly with.

2. Locate your current parachute size.

3. Compare your current rate of descent with the Quantum Series Parachutes.

To operationalize your rate of descent, use the "Platform Height" Chart. This will give you a sense of what the landing force would feel like on impact. These figures are based on a standard day at sea level conditions with no extra drag of the hang glider wreckage being considered.

The jump platform height is equivalent to the impact you would feel if you were standing on a platform and a trap door opened under your feet.

To use the chart :

· Locate your rate of descent on the bottom of the chart.

· View where the line intersects and follow it to the left side of the chart.

We are particularly excited about this design due to the extremely low rate of descent we have been able to achieve. Not only do the Quantum Series Parachutes generate drag but they also produce lift thus bringing the pilot down very slowly. We think a slow rate of descent is extremely important Often we see broken hang gliders spinning. The spinning glider may be descending relatively slow. If your parachute has a rate of descent faster than you are falling it will not open and the "wind mill effect" may take place. The faster you are falling the faster the broken wing will spin. The more you spin under an open canopy, the greater your chances of twisting the bridle and eventually the lines of your parachute. This twist can continue until the parachute lines get short enough to close the parachute altogether.

Some people argue that if you are descending too slowly to open your parachute, your are going too slow to get hurt. That is totally wrong! They continue to cite the incredible safety record we have enjoyed when people have deployed their parachutes in the past. We believe that we have just been very lucky.

The other benefits to coming down under canopy are: 1. The opening of the parachute may disrupt the momentum of the spin and help slow it down, 2. If you are coming down under canopy slower than the stall speed of the part of the wing that is still flying and causing the spin, your chances of spinning are greatly reduced and 3. The slower you come down the greater your chances of not getting hurt.

We use standard parachute construction techniques with full radial tape along the seams and Kevlar reinforcement tape at the apex and skirt. In addition we have utilized a combination of spectra and nylon for each line. The spectra gives us light weight, low volume benefits while the nylon gives us the stretch characteristics desirable for higher speed deployments.

We are very excited about the Quantum Series Parachutes and the extra margin of safety they bring to our sport. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to write or call.

Fly Safely,