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Performance Designs Spectre
Sizes
97, 107, 120, 135, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230 sq ft (9.0, 9.9, 11.1, 12.5, 13.9, 15.8, 17.7, 19.5, 21.4 m²)
Source: Performance Designs — Spectre product page ↗Designed for (manufacturer wording)
- Novice to Experienced skydivers
- Individuals looking for a canopy with nice, long, and smoothopenings
- Wingsuiting
- Camera flyers
- Demonstration jumps
Keywords: Soft openings with long snivel · Short recovery arc · Flat glide
Your wing loading on each size
| Size | Wing loading | PD chart category |
|---|---|---|
| 97 ft² | — | — |
| 107 ft² | — | — |
| 120 ft² | — | — |
| 135 ft² | — | — |
| 150 ft² | — | — |
| 170 ft² | — | — |
| 190 ft² | — | — |
| 210 ft² | — | — |
| 230 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 97 lb · 44 kg | 126 lb · 57.2 kg | 155 lb · 70.3 kg |
| 107 | N/S | N/S | N/S | 107 lb · 48.5 kg | 139 lb · 63 kg | 171 lb · 77.6 kg |
| 120 | N/S | 102 lb · 46.3 kg | 114 lb · 51.7 kg | 120 lb · 54.4 kg | 156 lb · 70.8 kg | 192 lb · 87.1 kg |
| 135 | N/S | 114 lb · 51.7 kg | 128 lb · 58.1 kg | 135 lb · 61.2 kg | 175 lb · 79.4 kg | 216 lb · 98 kg |
| 150 | N/S | 135 lb · 61.2 kg | 150 lb · 68 kg | 165 lb · 74.8 kg | 195 lb · 88.5 kg | 240 lb · 108.9 kg |
| 170 | N/S | 153 lb · 69.4 kg | 170 lb · 77.1 kg | 187 lb · 84.8 kg | 221 lb · 100.2 kg | 255 lb · 115.7 kg |
| 190 | N/S | 171 lb · 77.6 kg | 190 lb · 86.2 kg | 209 lb · 94.8 kg | 228 lb · 103.4 kg | 266 lb · 120.7 kg |
| 210 | N/S | 189 lb · 85.7 kg | 210 lb · 95.3 kg | 231 lb · 104.8 kg | 252 lb · 114.3 kg | 273 lb · 123.8 kg |
| 230 | N/S | 218 lb · 98.9 kg | 230 lb · 104.3 kg | 253 lb · 114.8 kg | 276 lb · 125.2 kg | 299 lb · 135.6 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 | All sizes of the Spectre have a relatively long snivel and slow inflation speed. More resistant to off-heading openings than many other canopies, and tends to turn less and recover more quickly if it does open off-heading. |
|---|---|
| Recovery arc | Short recovery arc (product page). FC: loses more altitude in a turn than some other canopies; will dive longer and lose more altitude in a turn than the Stiletto. |
| Glide | At full glide the Spectre actually has a slightly flatter glide angle than some nine-cell canopies, including both the original Sabre and the Sabre2. |
| Speed / dive | Flies at about the same airspeed as the original Sabre, the Sabre2, and the Stiletto (qualitative; no figures published). |
| Flare | Tends to have a lower flare point or "sweet spot"; you will need to pull the toggles a bit farther to stop your descent. |
| Front risers | Relatively light front riser pressure; even larger sizes respond fairly well to front riser input. |
| Rear risers | not published |
| Harness response | not published |
| Toggle response | Turns more quickly and smoothly than a rectangular canopy, with less toggle pressure; product page: smooth, progressive toggle response. Very responsive in braked flight. |
Frequently asked
Performance Designs lists the Spectre in 97, 107, 120, 135, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230 square feet.
In Performance Designs's words: Novice to Experienced skydivers; Individuals looking for a canopy with nice, long, and smoothopenings; Wingsuiting; Camera flyers; Demonstration jumps.
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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