Canopy Piloting
[flickr user=me size="large" tag="cpdrawing" ]
* see below
Canopy Piloting involves a series of tasks designed to test a parachutist's ability to control his canopy and fly accurately. Each test starts with the parachutist navigating through a number of gates which are situated over water. The parachutist has one of three goals, depending on the task; complete the course in the shortest time, therefore having the highest speed; complete the water section and then land on a target as accurately as possible; achieve the longest distance from the entry gate before touching down.
How is the Winner Defined?
To maximise the accuracy, the competitor must successfully nevigate the water section before landing as close to the centre of the target as possible. The maximum score for speed goes to the parachutist flying the course in the shortest time and the best score for distance will go to the parachutist controlling the canopy to fly the maximum distance.
How is it scored?
For accuracy; pass between the course markers and stay within the course to gain points. Extra 'gate' points are earned when a competitor drags a part of his body (usually his foot) through an imaginary line on the surface of the water between water gates. Penalities are awarded in the landing phase if the competitor falls over, or is not in the central zone with their first touch.
Speed: pass between the course markers to start the speed run; the times is started by breaking an electronic beam across the course. The competitor's time is stopped as they break a second beam across the exit gate and their time is measured to the thousandth of a second.
Distance: pass between the course markets and remain within the boudaries of the course to obtain a score. The distance is measured from the entry gate to the first point of contact with the ground.
Canopy Piloting is a fairly new sport, made possible by the development of smaller and faster canopies in the mid 1990's. The discipline was originally called "blade running" but soon evolved into the format used today. Competitors compete over a stretch of water for sefety reasons because of the high speeds involved - at the same time creating spectacular action as the parachutists whizz across the surface of the water, leaving a plume of spray behind them.
This discipline requires a high level of skill and experience with many national federations insisting on a minimum requirement of 500 parachute jumps before allowing a competitor to enter a Canopy Piloting Event.
The first World Championships in Canopy Piloting took place in 2006.
* PDF's of the Illustrated slides of the Discipline Events are available under "Documents" "Disciplines" "Canopy Piloting" on this website.
