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AP
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Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 1347
Location: Australia
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 Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject: High Energy Parachutes |
 #1 |
I spoke to Bette from High Energy yesterday. What a nice person, and how lucky are we to have someone whose intellect, passion and drive to design and build excellent rescue equipment is involved with our sport of HG.
When I first looked into updating my parachute 18 months ago I scrutinised many different types and it became clear only two manufacturers had a product I would be happy to trust my life in. Of the two manufacturers High Energy had a number of advantages including descent rate after inflation, but more importantly the quality of construction was the superior.
At that time I still did not appreciate just how good High Energy parachutes were. The R&D invested by High Energy has been extensive and at times drew criticism from others who claimed their philosophy was too extreme and uncompromising. I am so thankful they did not compromise!
http://www.highenergysports.com/hg_eparachutes.htm
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A ship in harbour is safe. |
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HangDiver
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Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 2074
Location: Salida, Villa Grove, Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject: |
#2 |
| Nicely stated, and again it's nice that you're here to write about it. I purchased the HE 440. |
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jjcote
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Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 3216
Location: Lunenburg, MA, USA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:07 pm Post subject: |
#3 |
At Thanksgiving dinner last week, we went around the table and each person had to say what he or she was thankful for. After scrutinizing other people's comments, when my turn came I determined that it was not inappropriate to say, "I'm thankful that my parachute worked". After laughter from those gathered, my girlfriend was next, and she said, "I'm thankful that his parachute worked".
I'm now one of the very few people around using a fully tested parachute (after having had it inspected and given a thumbs-up from Betty).
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H4 + various skills (only foot-launch so far)
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Spark
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Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 1875
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:31 pm Post subject: |
#4 |
Amen to that.
Betty's sure got a high quality product and a superior design (thanks to Bill G)
I've got the HES QS440 for my HG and another for my PG.
Now that winter is here. it will soon be time for some practice deployments, harness and reserve inspections, repacking.
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'Spark
H4/OBS - WW U2-160 & Falcon 2 195
P3, Skywalk Chili L |
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DocSoc
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Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 1881
Location: Miami Beach
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:41 pm Post subject: |
#5 |
Through the years I've see many of Betty's products and I have to say that she makes a great product and stands behind everything. Not to mention her knowledge in how to pack a chute! LOL...
I love her and her stuff...
-DocSoc
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Socrates
Rogallo Member USHPA
"Team Chicken Hawk" |
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skypilot155
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Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 515
Location: Grass Valley, California
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: |
#6 |
After reading these postings I'm even happier that I have an HES Quantum330' just had it repacked last month, here's hopeing I never need it 
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Don't die until you're dead and in the mean time keep your eyes on Jesus |
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NMERider
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Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Posts: 7364
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: |
#7 |
Honetly, the best part about owning a couple of Quantum 330s is taking them to Betty for a re-pack. I'm usually greeted with a hug before I get drilled on how I'm going to deal with deploying and descending onto live high tension wires or over water, etc. One of her favorites is how the heck I'm supposed to get upright in my backplate harness so I don't land face first. In this scenario there's no control bar and the glider is either gone or folded away from my reach. She has dozens of real life scenarios too.
Betty will be doing a clinic in the San Fernado Valley for the Sylmar club on January 16, 2010: http://shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1764 Feel free to commit to join us if you are able to attend.
Maybe we can get Adam on live satellite feed?  |
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Redbeard
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Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 1291
Location: Santa Shoes, California
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| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject: |
#8 |
 whoa, a doc soc sighting!!!
i am buying some new gear...HE chute is on the list.
i can hardly wait...! 
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DocSoc
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Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 1881
Location: Miami Beach
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:08 am Post subject: |
#9 |
| Redbeard wrote: |
whoa, a doc soc sighting!!!
i am buying some new gear...HE chute is on the list.
i can hardly wait...! |
Missed you too Redbeard!
-DocSoc
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Socrates
Rogallo Member USHPA
"Team Chicken Hawk" |
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knumbknuts
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Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 5004
Location: Carlsbad, CA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:26 am Post subject: |
#10 |
Doc Soc is back on the org!
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mikewrx
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Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 181
Location: CT
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: |
#11 |
AP, I'm glad you're still with us.
As a new pilot about to purchase my first parachute I've reviewed the available data regarding descent rate on the HE website. The same website describes the rigorous nature of their testing. Obviously the extreme nature of AP's incident suggests that the quality of the HE chutes is very high. However, what other data are available and what criteria should be in the evaluation when selecting a chute?
At this point I'm fairly certain that I'll be going with the HE option but I'd like to know if there is anything else I should be looking for as cost is not really a variable in the equation.
Mike |
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red
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 2732
Location: Utah, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sol III
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: High Energy Parachutes |
#12 |
| mikewrx wrote: |
AP, I'm glad you're still with us.
As a new pilot about to purchase my first parachute I've reviewed the available data regarding descent rate on the HE website. The same website describes the rigorous nature of their testing. Obviously the extreme nature of AP's incident suggests that the quality of the HE chutes is very high. However, what other data are available and what criteria should be in the evaluation when selecting a chute?
At this point I'm fairly certain that I'll be going with the HE option but I'd like to know if there is anything else I should be looking for as cost is not really a variable in the equation.
Mike |
Mike,
I fly with a High Energy Quantum, with a para-swivel.
If you find anything better, please let me know.
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Cheers,
........Red.........................
Pssst! New pilot? Free advice, maybe worth the price,
http://www.xmission.com/~red/
H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum |
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soren_ladegaard
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Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 573
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:15 am Post subject: Re: High Energy Parachutes |
#13 |
After 4 years and almost 600 post I am leaving this forum due to personal attacks. This forum has turned very hostile with 5-6 users harrassing others just for the sake of it. The forum lacks moderation so they noone's stopping them.
I am out of here! 
Last edited by soren_ladegaard on Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Windlord
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Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 4702
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:26 am Post subject: Re: High Energy Parachutes |
#14 |
| soren_ladegaard wrote: |
| AP wrote: |
| ...it became clear only two manufacturers had a product I would be happy to trust my life in. Of the two manufacturers High Energy...... |
Which one is the other manufacturer?
I myself fly with a Metamorforsi Conar. |
Metamorforsi would have been my guess.
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Mayeric
Joined: 02 Jan 2009
Posts: 26
Location: France
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject: |
#15 |
FYI, for having tried to buy a metamorfosis chute this year, I got a response that the company closed late last year :-(
Mayeric |
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AP
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Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 1347
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:37 am Post subject: |
#16 |
Metamorphosi was the other chute manufacturer. Angelo Crapenzano passed away sometime ago and I thought his wife was continuing on with the business. Angelo was an authority on parachute design and development. His parachutes were my 2nd choice after High Energy.
I spoke for a long time with Betty the other day. She was really interested to know everything about the accident in Gulgong and it was clear her passion is a big part of High Energy's success.
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A ship in harbour is safe. |
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enormydude
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Joined: 03 May 2008
Posts: 221
Location: NSW, Australia.
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| Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:42 am Post subject: |
#17 |
Red, I also had Betty put a para-swivel on my new one. Is there any info on what they can withstand in terms of shock load from a possible freefall deployment?
I asked for it because of concerns that if the wing/harness is still rotating on the slow descent from a high deploy then the chute could end up twisting the risers together and shutting it down.
Norm.
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Mars 170, Sting3 168, HES Tracer & Explorer LD, Quantum 330 reserves |
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steve prater
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Joined: 05 Sep 2008
Posts: 367
Location: L.A. ( lower arkansas usa)
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red
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Posts: 2732
Location: Utah, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sol III
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| Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 6:48 am Post subject: High Energy Parachutes |
#19 |
| enormydude wrote: |
Red, I also had Betty put a para-swivel on my new one. Is there any info on what they can withstand in terms of shock load from a possible freefall deployment?
I asked for it because of concerns that if the wing/harness is still rotating on the slow descent from a high deploy then the chute could end up twisting the risers together and shutting it down.
Norm. |
Norm,
The short answer from me is "I don't know."
If testing was ever done, I have not seen the results.
Having seen each part (inside) of the one that Betty uses,
I think it is safe to say the pilot's body would fail, long before that beefy unit will.
The risers being twisted together by a spinning glider is a valid concern, after a good deployment.
I have seen it happen, in two separate incidents, without para-swivels installed.
Both pilots were lucky, and walked away, because they had very low deployments,
and the 'chutes had not become streamers yet, when they hit.
The para-swivel is the sure and direct remedy for that concern.
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Cheers,
........Red.........................
Pssst! New pilot? Free advice, maybe worth the price,
http://www.xmission.com/~red/
H4, Moyes X2, Falcon Tandem, HES Tracer, Quantum |
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Spark
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Joined: 26 Jul 2006
Posts: 1875
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject: |
#20 |
Not to be off-topic.
I've come down under canopy twice without a paraswivel, first one fairly low., second one high.
The bridle twisted and the risers twisted and the reserve got smaller and began to spill air and slip.
I hit hard.
I needed a paraswivel.
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'Spark
H4/OBS - WW U2-160 & Falcon 2 195
P3, Skywalk Chili L |
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