What is the difference between a tapered, elliptical, or semi elliptical canopy?
These terms refer to the shape of the wing when viewed from above. Any canopy that is not rectangular can be called either semi-elliptical or tapered. The amount of taper affects the canopy handling and performance, though in combination with several other parameters. While the term elliptical is often used to describe some canopies, no skydiving canopies are truly elliptical. The curve in a canopy is approximated by a series of straight-line segments, and they do not form a true ellipse. What we are really dealing with here is the relative degree of taper from one canopy to another. This involves not only how much taper there is, but where it is located. Some canopies are more tapered than others, regardless of whether they are called “elliptical” or “semi-elliptical.” PD prefers to use the word “tapered” for several reasons. As soon as skydivers began using the word “elliptical,” many people created the idea that every “elliptical” canopy will have certain specific characteristics, s
These terms refer to the shape of the wing when viewed from above. Any canopy that is not rectangular can be called either semi-elliptical or tapered. The amount of taper affects the canopy handling and performance, though in combination with several other parameters. While the term elliptical is often used to describe some canopies, no skydiving canopies are truly elliptical. The curve in a canopy is approximated by a series of straight-line segments, and they do not form a true ellipse. What we are really dealing with here is the relative degree of taper from one canopy to another. This involves not only how much taper there is, but where it is located. Some canopies are more tapered than others, regardless of whether they are called “elliptical” or “semi-elliptical. PD prefers to use the word “tapered for several reasons. As soon as skydivers began using the word elliptical, many people created the idea that every “elliptical” canopy will have certain specific characteristics, some
