Atair Aerodynamics

What's the recommended wing loading on a Cobalt?

What's the difference between the Cobalt and the Competition Cobalt?

What's the recommended pilot chute size?

How should I pack a Cobalt?

My end cells are always closed on both sides; What’s going on?

I constantly get end cells closed on one side; I think something is wrong with the canopy?

I am experiencing hard openings, what could be the problem?

What is the life-span of a Cobalt?

What type of material is used to make your canopies?

Why do you use Spectra lines?

How long does it take to get a custom canopy?

How can I get a demo?

How can I get the line specs for my Atair canopy?

What's the recommended wing loading on a Cobalt?

The Cobalt canopy is an extremely efficient wing. It has the highest measured glide ratio of any skydiving canopy. The extra lift makes for a canopy that flies 'bigger'. To get equal forward speed when comparing to many other canopies you need to load the Cobalt heavier, i.e. 1#/’ on a Sabre should be compared to 1.2#/’ on a cobalt.

1.2-1.4 beginners
1.4-1.6 intermediate
1.6-1.8 high
1.8-2.2 pro
2.2-2.8 extreme
max tested landed wingload 3.6#

NOTE: due to the efficiency of the Cobalt wing, most experienced jumpers will jump a Cobalt 1-2 sizes smaller than competing canopies.

CAUTION: the above are general guidelines of where other Atair canopy owners are loading. It is not our intent to make recommendations to anyone without knowing them and their skills first hand. For a firm recommendation please consult your local Safety and Training Officer or instructor.

What's the difference between the Cobalt and the Competition Cobalt?

The Competition model Cobalt is based on the same airfoil and planform as the standard Cobalt but is optimized for extreme pilots. The nose and inlets have been redesigned with triangulated, span-wise cross bracing. This rigidizes and reduces airfoil distortion on the portion of the airfoil that is most important. Bottom skin inlets have been designed in for inflation. Inlet drag is normally the highest source of drag on a canopy, with this new design inlet drag is reduced by more than 40%. The result: blazing performance and speed.

The speed of a standard Cobalt 1 size down with the lift of one 1 size up!
As this is a fast canopy we do not recommend downsizing. This canopy is for pro pilots only.

What's the recommended pilot chute size?

Recommended pilot for Cobalt 65-170 is a 24" zero-p kill line collapsible.
NOTE: many containers come standard with a 28-32" pilot. This is more than double the recommended surface area required. A 28” pilot will cause brisk openings especially at higher speeds.

How should I pack a Cobalt?

Cobalts should be straight pro-packed with the following attentions paid: push the nose to the back, and roll the tail tight. The tail seems to make the biggest difference.

My end cells are always closed on both sides; What’s going on?

At light loadings a jumper may experience end cell closure on both sides. This is nothing to be concerned about. Simply inflate the end cells by a slow deep flare. Pumping toggles will not inflate the cells.

I constantly get end cells closed on one side; I think something is wrong with the canopy?

No matter how much you think you are symmetrical in your harness during deployment, it is guaranteed you are not. A Cobalt will open with a closed end cells on the side on which you lean more favorably. On your next jump favor the opposite side to which you have been getting end cell closure, by leaning more weight on that hip. You will now notice the end cell closed on that side. It may take 5-20 jumps for this to click in your head, don't worry it will shortly become second nature. Additionally, note that end cell closure on one side is not a malfunction, it will not induce a spin but rather a turn which can be corrected by: harness weight shift, pressure on opposite risers, toggles, or simply by clearing with a slow, deep toggle flare.

I am experiencing hard openings, what could be the problem?

Please follow our checklist if you are having hard openings:

1) Did you read the "Atair 2-stage deployment" tech sheet?

If not please do so. You will not fully enjoy your equipment if you do not use it correctly.

2) What diameter is your pilot chute? Is it f111 or ZP? Is it kill line?

Recommended pilot for Cobalt 65-170 is a 24” zero-p kill line collapsible.

Note: many containers come standard with a 28-32" pilot. This is more than double the recommended surface area required. A 28" pilot will cause brisk openings especially at higher speeds.

3) What is your body position at deployment? Are you cupping air in place to slow down or are you going faster and deploying in a track?

Cobalts open best in a forward track. Generally the slower you go, the faster a Cobalt will open. Deploying in a track keeps your vertical speed at optimum for a slow 2-stage opening.

4) Where are your hands during deployment? Do you let the risers flip into your hands? Do you touch your risers before the canopy is in full, inflated flight?

Touching the rear risers during opening will change the 2-stage opening into a 1-stage opening. As such the opening will be brisk. Hands should be kept at your sides until the canopy is in full inflated flight. This is also a very good habit to be in if you intend to downsize to highly loaded ellipticals. When you touch your risers, you will put pressure on them, this pressure will be asymmetrical, asymmetrical pressure on your risers during deployment can induce line twists. Any corrections should be done with harness weight shift until after the canopy is in fully inflated flight.

5) How do you pack? Specifically?

Cobalts should be straight pro-packed with the following attentions paid: push the nose to the back, and roll the tail tight. The tail seems to make the biggest difference. Also, ALWAYS use microline small rubber bands double stow lines, except through garomets.

6) What type if rubber bands do you use?

ALWAYS use microline small rubber bands double stow lines, except through garomets.

What is the life-span of a Cobalt?

Our high timer in-house demo is at 2875 jumps and counting. It still takes several minutes to trip a porosity meter. We are routinely making line sets for customers with over 2000 jumps.

What type of material is used to make your canopies?

We use Gelvenor fabric. It is more costly than domestic sources used by PD and Icarus but it packs better, has less than 1% defects on arrival at our factory, and so far has outlasted every other brand we have tried. It is a perfect square weave and is the only material to our knowledge which is treated on both sides.

Why do you use Spectra lines?

Aramid lines have very low elasticity (vectran 1/4 and hma 1/8th that of spectra) and are severely degraded by uv and blue light (a fiber will typically lose up to 60% of its strength after only 4 hours of bright sunlight exposure). Aramid lines have a tendency to snap when used beyond their rated life, minorly abraded, or sunlight damaged. Because Atair canopies open so soft, aramid lines are more likely to break on a high performance maneuver (i.e. a hook turn) than they are during opening. Having a line or two break below your cut-a-way hard deck could be disastrous.

Yes, spectra lines change dimensions slightly, but they are easy to inspect, wear, and have no tendency for breaking. As with any raw material, an engineer must design their product around the specific characteristics of that material. The Atair Cobalt is not overly sensitive to trim. When a Cobalt canopy is built it is actually not in perfect trim. After 40-100 jumps the spectra is broken in changing dimensions to put the canopy into a more perfect trim. Other canopies may go out of trim, ours go into it! A new cobalt flies great, and as you break it in you will only become happier with it.

How long does it take to get a custom canopy?

Current delivery time for custom canopy orders is 6-8 weeks.

How can I get a demo?

Please check our list of Dealer Demo Centers to see if a dealer near you has the size you are looking for. Or you may download our demo request form from our website and fax it to us at 718-923-1733. You are responsible for shipping from our location to yours. We ship by FED EX Economy 2-Day Insured. The canopy is due back 2 weeks from our ship date. Overnight shipping is available at an extra charge. Late fees of $25 per day are charged if the canopy is not returned on time.

How can I get the line specs for my Atair canopy?

Lines specs are the same for all Atair canopies. You can download the specs here (JPG 140K). To order lines, please fill out the orderform and fax it to us at 718-923-1733.