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Front Riser Input:
The EPICENE has a relatively short recovery arc from front riser turns. It can be fun to land using
front riser turns on approach, but is quite obviously not a high performance swooping canopy. If
you are coming from a 9-cell ZP design, you may find that the EPICENE 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 EPICENE can take before the trailing edge is affected by the control line length.
Rear Riser Input:
The EPICENE 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. EPICENE 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 EPICENE is not a difficult
parachute to land, compared to traditional 9-cell canopies at higher wing loadings. The point of
the EPICENE 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 EPICENE at the higher end of the recommended range, advanced to expert canopy
skills are recommended.
Choosing Your Canopy
Jumper Experience
Do not use your EPICENE until or unless you have at least 200 skydives, and at least 50 skydives
using a parachute that is at least 20% SMALLER than the size of EPICENE you intend to jump (for
example, if you intend to jump a 170 EPICENE, you should have experience landing a 136 (or
smaller) canopy, safely and comfortably, at least 50 times).
The EPICENE’s 7-cell design and low-bulk 0-3cfm materials were chosen to maximize opening
performance for wingsuit skydiving use. Compared to most 9-cell ZP parachute designs, the
EPICENE has less flare power and has a lower glide ratio. As with any low-porosity 7-cell canopy,
it is critical that you have at least solid intermediate or advanced canopy skills in order to land it
comfortably.
The EPICENE’s flare characteristics at normal density altitudes and recommended wing loading
are adequate for most parachutists/skydivers of intermediate skill or higher, even without front riser
acceleration or a diving turn.
Wing Loading
Given that the EPICENE is meant to be used only by experienced skydivers and wingsuit pilots,
you should already have a clear understanding of the definition of wing loading and the proper
method to calculate it before choosing your canopy.
However, let’s review it briefly: Wing loading is calculated by dividing the total in-flight weight of
the jumper by the surface area of the canopy, measured in square feet. To measure your in-flight
weight, stand on a scale wearing your normal jumping clothing, your wingsuit, and your parachute
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