At one time most canopies were made from low-porosity nylon, which skydivers call F-111. Some of the canopies built by Performance Designs still use this type of fabric. The low-porosity nylon we use is technically called “0-3 cfm” fabric because one square foot of the fabric allows zero to three cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) at 0.5 inches of water pressure to pass through when it is new. Zero-porosity fabric, also called “zero-p” or just “z-p,” is made from the same type of nylon, but the fabric is treated with a silicone-based coating that prevents air from passing through it. We can create a more aerodynamically efficient canopy using zero-p fabric, and zero-p canopies also last longer than “F-111” ones. The permeability of “F-111” fabric increases as it is used, meaning the fabric starts to let even more air pass through. This causes a decrease in performance. There may be a moderate decrease in performance after an F-111 canopy has been packed and jumped 20 or 30 times, and a
At one time most canopies were made from low-porosity nylon, which skydivers call “F-111.” Some of the canopies built by Performance Designs still use this type of fabric. The low-porosity nylon we use is technically called “0-3 cfm” fabric because one square foot of the fabric allows zero to three cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) at 0.5 inches of water pressure to pass through when it is new. Zero-porosity fabric, also called “zero-p” or just “z-p,” is made from the same type of nylon, but the fabric is treated with a silicone-based coating that prevents air from passing through it. We can create a more aerodynamically efficient canopy using zero-p fabric, and zero-p canopies also last longer than “F-111” ones. The permeability of “F-111” fabric increases as it is used, meaning the fabric starts to let even more air pass through. This causes a decrease in performance. There may be a moderate decrease in performance after an “F-111” canopy has been packed and jumped 20 or 30 times, a