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system including your main canopy, and any accessories. This will typically be around 30lbs
greater than your naked weight. For a jumper with an in-flight weight of 185lbs who intends to
jump a 170 square foot canopy:
185 lbs ÷ 170 sq ft = 1.088 per square foot, or commonly written as 1.088:1
1.088 would be an acceptable wing loading for an experienced skydiver on this size of canopy.
Why the EPICENE is better for wingsuiting
Today, many skydivers are jumping canopies that are generally considered to be too small
(measured by wing loading), or too high aspect ratio (or too elliptical, or tapered), for use with
wingsuits. Many 7-cell designs which are commonly considered to be acceptable for wingsuit use
are also proving to be less than ideal, even when moderately loaded.
The EPICENE is different from other available skydiving main parachutes in two important ways:
1. Ultra low pack volume. The low pack volume of the EPICENE means that if you are currently
jumping a skydiving container system which is sized for a main parachute that you are loading
too highly to wingsuit with comfortably, a much larger size of EPICENE will fit in your current
container. For example, if you are jumping a typical cross-braced canopy in the 90 square
foot range, an EPICENE 130 will fit comfortably in the same container system. Reducing your
wing loading is one of the first and most important factors for improving opening consistency.
2. Low-porosity main surfaces, ZP leading edge. It is no secret that low-porosity fabric is more
stable, and yields more predictable openings. ZP fabric, in contrast, is longer-lasting and
higher-performing but yields less agreeable openings. For this reason, we have used ZP
fabric for the leading edge of the EPICENE, for aerodynamics (porosity at the leading edge is
most critical for glide performance) and longevity, and ultra-light 0-3cfm cloth for the top and
bottom main surfaces and ribs. This blend of materials has provided the EPICENE with very
low pack volume, better glide performance than an all 0-3fcm canopy, and more consistent
openings than any other main canopy we have tested.
Non-Wingsuit Use
As stated elsewhere in this manual and in the product description, the EPICENE is designed
specifically and primarily for experienced wingsuit pilots to use while wingsuit skydiving. If you
choose to jump the EPICENE without a wingsuit, then you must pack and configure your equipment
appropriately and always deploy at airspeeds within the operating limits of the canopy.
The ideal pilot chute size for wingsuit use is not the same for Freefly/RW/typical non-wingsuit
skydives. It may be necessary to change your pilot chute for non-wingsuit jumps.
The ideal packing technique for wingsuit use is not the same as for Freefly/RW/typical non-
wingsuit skydives. It may be necessary to adjust your packing technique for non-wingsuit jumps. In
addition to a more appropriate pilot chute size, we recommend a more tightly rolled tail, a rolled
and/or carefully prepared nose, and extra attention to slider positioning. Finally, always moderate
your freefall speed to within the canopy operating limits before deployment.
Failure to comply with the canopy’s operating limits may result in equipment damage or failure,
serious injury, or death.
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