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General Information & Flight Characteristics
About The OMICRON
The OMICRON is specifically designed for wingsuit skydiving. It is a low aspect ratio,
rectangular planform design, concepted from the ground-up to provide a balance between
reliable openings and overall flight performance. The top surface panels of the OMICRON are
a blend of traditional ZP and ultralight sail material. These material choices, combined with a
refined profile, provide a level of glide, flare, and handling that puts the OMICRON into the
experienced wingsuit pilot category of parachutes. The OMICRON is designed for wingsuit
skydiving. Although it may be jumped without a wingsuit, the best opening characteristics will
be experienced with wingsuit use specifically.
Flight Characteristics
The OMICRON is a specialist design that is meant specifically for experienced skydivers to use
during wingsuit skydiving. When using the OMICRON for the first time, be aware of the fact
that many factors will determine the quality of your parachute openings.
Glide Performance:
The OMICRON’s glide performance is typical of a low aspect ratio 7-cell parachute. A ZP leading
edge, combined with ultralight sail material across the remainder of the top surface, provides increased
glide performance and flare power over canopies with more 0-3 cfm (Cubic Feet / Minute) fabric.
Toggle Inputs and Overall Handling:
Piloting the OMICRON is straightforward and fun. It has a sporty and highly compact feel in
the air, with direct control inputs and progressive brake-travel. The OMICRON rolls into a turn
quickly, but also returns to level flight quickly when control inputs are ceased.
Front Riser Input:
The OMICRON front riser pressure makes front riser turns comfortable for maneuvering and
landing. If you are coming from a 9-cell ZP design, you may find that the OMICRON has a
different recovery arc. Always start with gentle high-altitude front riser inputs. Do not attempt low
turns with any canopy until you have extensive experience with it.
When manipulating front risers, remember that brake/control line length may need to be
lengthened to allow certain front riser control inputs. If you are influencing the trailing edge of
the canopy too much during front riser inputs, you may need to slightly lengthen your control
lines. Keep in mind that adjusting control line length will affect your flare and control range.
There is a limit to how much front riser input the OMICRON can take before the trailing edge is
affected by the control line length.
Rear Riser Input:
The OMICRON responds to front and rear riser input similarly to other low aspect ratio 7-cell
designs. Its glide can be flattened by applying a small amount of rear risers. OMICRON pilots
should be aware that the rear riser range is shorter (stall is more easily achieved) compared to
traditional 9-cell ZP canopies.
Landing:
When loaded appropriately according to the recommended weights, the OMICRON is not a
difficult parachute to land, compared to traditional 9-cell canopies at higher wing loadings. The
point of the OMICRON is to be able to easily reduce your main canopy wing loading without
changing your container system –
so you should be jumping a size larger than you normally
would
. If you are loading the OMICRON at the higher end of the recommended range, advanced
to expert canopy skills are recommended.
