Raven vs pure BASE

[guest]

I have a Super Raven that had a moderate amount (unknown number) of skydives on it before I modified it. It opens well and is structurally sound. The only problem is that it heads for the ground like a homesick rock. It is very porous. I only use it for slider off jumps as I haven't experimented with the right size for the slider. As I recall the Raven series are rather finiky about the aspect ratio of the slider. Early in their evolution there was a lot of work in that area to get them to stop snivelling.

[space]

My 2 cents,
Ravens are superb for Slider down/off. they have gotten me out of situ´s that lower aspect ratio base specific canopies would have little chance to. In max DBS, I could grab one rear riser, and stall the entire canopy and then the side I grabbed would start flying backwards pivoting on the flying side doing a backing away turn out. I personally like base specific canopies for slider up lower end pulls, but don´t like the snivelality of the the S/U Ravens, even so, the Raven (super and normal) have the advantage of more controllability at lower airspeed because of the better aerodynamic efficiency that comes with higher aspect ratios. As for PC attachtment point strength, this has never been a "critical failure" issue. critical as in you die or get seriously injured. this happens after line stretch and the canopy is out.
hope this helps.
And Mike, canopies IMHO usually blow up because of exceeding the performance envelope of that canapy. Torn load bearing seams are pretty obvi in packing. Though Inspect the Damn thing remains intact.
Have fun, and yes I´m back on line after a hiatus.
cya,
space