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 The
Xaos-27 (Chaos)
Warning!
Minimum of 500 jumps experience is required!
In May 1998 we released the world's first 27-cell
crossbraced canopy in the form of the Icarus Extreme
VX. At that time we had developed and produced
the world's most powerful swoop machine to date,
but the VX exhibited an opening sequence  that
virtually limited it to being a swooping canopy,
and hardly acceptable as a terminal velocity skydiving
canopy.
During
the four year period following our release of
the Icarus Extreme VX, we continued to develop
and refine the next generation prototype of a
27-cell crossbraced canopy, resulting in the Xaos-27.
Our
primary focus during this 4 year continued testing
phase was to develop a canopy that could not only
outswoop the VX, but to also perform well as a
terminal velocity freefall canopy, with an opening
sequence acceptable to freeflyers, camera flyers,
relative workers, or any other terminal velocity
freefall discipline.
While
we had already successfully mastered the openings
for the little brother Xaos-21
almost a full year earlier, there were elements
in the -27 that took an additional year of testing
and evaluation to tame.
In
May 2002 we announced the release of the Xaos-27,
a full 4 years of knowledge and experience after
our release of the VX. Like all of the canopies
in Project Ground Zero, the Xaos-27 contains several
key features that have come to identify all of
the canopies in the Project.
 Stabilizers
Evolve into Stabilribs
With the Xaos-27, as well as other Ground Zero
canopies, we have instituted a technology that
we refer to as a "Stabilrib", integrating the
stabilizer panel with the end rib as a solid piece,
and attaching the outboard suspension lines to
the bottom of the Stabilrib instead of the lower
surface of the canopy. By designing and constructing
the canopy this way, several things happen, and
all of them are good.
First, the suspended load imposed on the end cell
is evenly distributed throughout the chord of
the wingtip, resulting in better airfoil performance
during all flight modes. Diffusing the end cell
loading throughout the chord also eliminates the
inefficient point loading of traditionally built
canopies, and puts the Stabilrib to work full
time, producing more efficient flight at full
glide, creating a positive control point during
quick turns, and channeling airflow more efficiently
across the lower surface generating a more powerful
flare.
 Drag
Reduction, Higher Flight Speed, Dynamic Performance,
and Line Durability...
A Win-Win-Win-Win Combination
Another area of concern in the development of
the Xaos and other Ground Zero canopies was to
find a material to use in suspension lines that
would not only yield a lower coefficient of drag
but also a material that could tolerate the friction
of the slider for the duration without detrimental
effects.
With the Xaos-27 and other Ground Zero canopies,
Precision is utilizing a fiber known as HMA for
suspension and control lines. HMA is an acronym
for High Modulus Aramid fiber. Our experience
during the past two years indicates that HMA line
not only packs smaller, it also tolerates the
slider's friction quite remarkably, while at the
same time retains its linear stability as well
as Vectran. Xaos-27 canopies (and other Ground
Zero canopies) each contain three different sizes
of HMA line including 352, 440, and 946-pound
tensile strengths. The braided diameter is smaller
than either Spectra or Vectran.
Continuous Suspension Lines
We have outfitted the Xaos-27 and other Precision
Ground Zero canopies with continuous suspension
lines. By eliminating the suspension line cascades
we have done several very important things. We
have eliminated a library of malfunctions associated
with cascaded suspension lines, we are able to
use a much smaller diameter suspension line (less
drag), we have minimized the front riser pressure
while enhancing riser flight control on both front
and rear risers.
Lateral Reinforcement Bands
Some
people who have closely inspected the Xaos-27
have noticed and commented on the addition of
lower surface lateral reinforcement bands. It
is interesting to note that the general impression
is that these bands are intended for opening integrity,
and while that may certainly be true, the real
reason for spanwise lower surface reinforcement
bands is flight stability, especially during radical
flight maneuvers. The spanwise lower surface reinforcement
bands allow the airfoil to retain its proper 3-D
shape during all phases of radical canopy flight.
The Refined Leading Edge
One of the least noticeable, but most significant
changes in the Xaos-27, is the refinement of the
canopy's leading edge. We spent months on this
small but important element of the Xaos airfoil.
Take a close look at the shape of the Xaos leading
edge as compared to other cross-braced canopies
available. While it is not so apparent in full
flight because of typical speed distortion, the
refined leading edge of the Xaos-27 airfoil explodes
dynamically into play throughout the entire landing
phase of flight, while it works in concert with
each of the previously mentioned enhancements
(Stabilrib technology, HMA fiber braided suspension
lines, continuous line geometry, and lateral lower
surface reinforcement bands) to deliver an ultra-performance
canopy flyer's dream... an ultra performance canopy
flight that defies gravity.
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**Warning
!! Minimum Experience Requirement for Xaos-27
The
Xaos-27 is one of the highest performance wing
we have produced to date. Please do not purchase
or jump this canopy before you have a minimum
of 500 elliptical ram-air jumps experience within
15% of the manufacturer's Maximum Operating Weight
Limit. Maximum Operating Weight Limitations for
the Xaos-27 are absolute. Do not exceed these
limitations under any circumstances. Severe bodily
injury or death may result in exceeding these
limitations of experience and/or wingloading.
Prudence and good judgment dictate that your chances
for long term survival and happiness under this
canopy require that you observe and follow these
limitations.
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