Daedalus Project (skydiving)

The JVX is a 27-cell elliptical cross braced Tri-cell, with a nose modification, different trim, longer lines and no stabilizers.[5] It incorporates an upgraded trim and is designed specifically for rear riser flight.

Daedalus Project also pioneered the use of a new parachute fabric called sail fabric (used commonly in the paragliding and Speedflying industries) on the JVX. Sail fabric has less porosity and holds a better shape,[6] making the wing more efficient.[7]

The JFX is a 21-cell Elliptical ZP Crossbraced canopy. While the JVX was shaped for power and CP competition, the JFX is made to be a high-end casual swooping canopy.[8]

The JFX is fully crossbraced, has a long recovery arc and powerful bottom end, but is advertised to have Crossfire-like openings that are more hassle free than traditional high performance canopies.

Petra is said to be the result of over 25 years of parachute design experience at NZ Aerosports and their 2010-2011 R&D Project called the Summer of Love. NZ Aerosports released her as the first ever hyper-performance competition parachute.

According to reports, it was designed by French Aerodynamics Engineer Julien Peelman and NZ Aerosports owner Paul Martyn,[9] using state of the art Computational Fluid Dynamics technology. CFD uses the computer modeling of airflow to analyze and predict the performance of a canopy’s shape.

The design uses a similar standard to the JVX in terms of distortion reduction with crossbraces and 27 cells but that’s where the similarity ends.

It has a highly elliptical planform and very high sweep. NZ Aerosports say it has a high roll rate, a long recovery arc and high maximal glide ratio. It is said to deliver unrivalled power in the turn, plane out and flare.

Petra has a long list of World Records, National and International titles to back that up. It had an impressive debut at the PD Big Boy Pants event in July 2011, with Nick Batsch setting a new distance world record of 222.45 m (729 ft).[10] One month later Nick took out the Pink Open in Klatovy and the FAI World Cup also; first in distance, speed and overall. He also won the 2011 US CP nationals on Petra.

Patrick Boulongne came 2nd in the European Championships and 6th overall at the World Cup with Petra in his first competition with her. He went on to win the 2011 French Canopy Piloting Nationals. Brice Bernier won the 2011 Italian CP Nationals on her, and came 2nd in the 2011 French CP nationals behind Patrick Boulongne. Since then Nick Batsch has set 5 more World Distance Records flying Petra.[11] The current one is 169.19m run set at the 5th FAI World parachuting Championships at Z-hills Florida.

Leia is a 21-chamber 7-cell crossbraced ZP wing designed to bring Petra technology to a wider market.[12] It was made for the everyday experienced swooper.

Leia has advanced panel shaping and the late-generation planform that was pioneered with Petra. It is highly elliptical, has optimized wing tips and NZ Aerosports signature Powerband nose.[13]

It is available in two options: Standard ZP and Hybrid construction.[14] Standard configuration has a small pack volume and no special care instructions. Hybrid versions internal structures are made from sail fabric (polyurethane coated nylon) to make the wing more rigid and are made to cater for the pilot who wants an everyday and competition canopy.

Sofia is NZ Aerosports’ latest addition to the Daedalus Project range, and is only available to their sponsored athlete network and proven canopy piloting competitors under application.

It is a 27-chamber, 9-cell crossbraced competition canopy designed specifically for the Speed discipline of canopy piloting. Like Leia, it is a derivation of Petra. It features a new shaped Powerband leading edge.

The Daedalus Matrix2 is a 5-cell competitive CF canopy using crossbraced technology with fewer lines.[15] NZ Aerosports say the wing revolutionizes the idea of how a CRW canopy should land. It’s said to have tons of flare even on straight in approaches. The rears have much range, are easy to land with and give you another powerful tool to use in the air.[15]

Aussie CRW Team Ookoonono do 270 to 630 approaches with the wing and say they land almost as well as a crossbraced sports canopy. The trim is not set too steep but the reduced drag still means that the Matrix2 dives more than a 7-Cell. The result is that the wing can be flown efficiently with a small amount of brakes and just needs to be released to accelerate.[15]