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Performance Designs Katana
Sizes
83, 89, 97, 107, 120, 135, 150, 170 sq ft (7.7, 8.3, 9.0, 9.9, 11.1, 12.5, 13.9, 15.8 m²)
Source: Performance Designs — KATANA product page ↗Designed for (manufacturer wording)
- Advanced to expert skydivers
- Experienced canopy pilots
- Camera flyers
- Individuals who are actively working on their canopy piloting skills
- Individuals who want an aggressive canopy but are not interested in or ready for a cross-braced canopy
Keywords: Long recovery arc · Long snivel openings · Very steep glide · Wide speed range · Very light front riser pressure · Long dynamic flare
Your wing loading on each size
| Size | Wing loading | PD chart category |
|---|---|---|
| 83 ft² | — | — |
| 89 ft² | — | — |
| 97 ft² | — | — |
| 107 ft² | — | — |
| 120 ft² | — | — |
| 135 ft² | — | — |
| 150 ft² | — | — |
| 170 ft² | — | — |
Wing loading = exit weight (lb) ÷ size (ft²). PD's chart lists the MAXIMUM exit weight per skill category — the category shown is the lowest one whose maximum covers your weight, by PD's own rule.
Performance Designs chart — maximum exit weight per category
| Size | Student | Novice | Intermediate | Advanced | Expert | Maximum (never exceed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 107 lb · 48.5 kg | 142 lb · 64.4 kg | 160 lb · 72.6 kg |
| 89 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 116 lb · 52.6 kg | 155 lb · 70.3 kg | 175 lb · 79.4 kg |
| 97 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 128 lb · 58.1 kg | 171 lb · 77.6 kg | 193 lb · 87.5 kg |
| 107 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 144 lb · 65.3 kg | 192 lb · 87.1 kg | 216 lb · 98 kg |
| 120 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 162 lb · 73.5 kg | 216 lb · 98 kg | 243 lb · 110.2 kg |
| 135 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 176 lb · 79.8 kg | 229 lb · 103.9 kg | 257 lb · 116.6 kg |
| 150 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 195 lb · 88.5 kg | 242 lb · 109.8 kg | 271 lb · 122.9 kg |
| 170 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 221 lb · 100.2 kg | 255 lb · 115.7 kg | 285 lb · 129.3 kg |
N/S = not suggested by the manufacturer for that category. Weights are maximums, not recommendations. Confirm on performancedesigns.com.
Flight characteristics — in Performance Designs's words
| Opening | Soft, smooth openings; long snivel (product page). |
|---|---|
| Recovery arc | Long recovery arc (product page). |
| Glide | Very steep glide (product page). |
| Speed / dive | Wide speed range; steep dive (product page) — no airspeed figures published. |
| Flare | Long dynamic flare; powerful flare (product page). |
| Front risers | Very light front riser pressure (product page). |
| Rear risers | not published |
| Harness response | not published |
| Toggle response | Long control range (product page). |
Frequently asked
Performance Designs lists the Katana in 83, 89, 97, 107, 120, 135, 150, 170 square feet.
In Performance Designs's words: Advanced to expert skydivers; Experienced canopy pilots; Camera flyers; Individuals who are actively working on their canopy piloting skills; Individuals who want an aggressive canopy but are not interested in or ready for a cross-braced canopy.
Wing loading = exit weight in pounds (you plus all your gear) divided by the canopy size in square feet. The manufacturer's chart then shows which category that loading falls in. It is information, not approval to fly a size — decide with your canopy coach.
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