The Valkyrie is a powerful machine, simply a blast to fly. We are excited to finally share our new toy with others. Our aim was to take the power of the Peregrine and make it more applicable to every day jumpers. We tried many variations of fabric and number of cells, and finally decided on a full ZP seven-cell canopy.
#Why name this new canopy the Valkyrie?
We wanted the name to embody everything that this canopy is: a swift, powerful, and beautiful machine. At first, the name caught our attention because the sound and imagery associated with it were impressive. Then we started looking deeper into the meaning, and found something we connected with. In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is a maiden who serves the god Odin and is sent by him to the battlefield. She chooses from the slain the best of the best of warriors, those who are worthy and honorable, to sit at Odin’s table in Valhalla. Often portrayed as beautiful, with abilities that are out of this world, she represents a powerful depiction of what it means to be a badass. Valkyrie definition
##Is the Valkyrie similar to the Peregrine?
The planform of the Valkyrie is similar to that of the Peregrine. It has a heavily tapered leading edge and inflatable tips, like the Peregrine. This shape creates higher speeds in a dive, greater efficiency in a swoop and amazing low speed performance.
##How is it different from the Peregrine?
It is a zero porosity seven-cell whereas the Peregrine is a full sail material nine-cell. The Peregrine aimed to deliver maximum performance for competitive canopy piloting, where deployments are always sub-terminal. The Valkyrie was designed with good opening performance at terminal speed as an important factor.
##How are the openings working out?
We’ve had incredibly positive feedback across the board. Even though the canopy is highly responsive, the openings have been smooth, well-staged and with less tendency to search for a heading.
##How does the Valkyrie respond?
It is highly responsive to toggle input and has a powerful flare. The stopping power is impressive and you get every bit of response from the amount of energy you put in.
The openings are amazing. Best opening canopy I can recall jumping. Never once got it to open hard no matter what I tried"
The Valkyrie is much more sensitive to harness input than a Comp Velocity. This canopy loves to rotate and rolls into turns almost effortlessly. Overall, it is easy and super fun to fly with the harness.
##How about risers?
The front riser pressure is slightly higher on the Valkyrie than a Comp Velocity, but it wants to rotate, and rotate fast! It is also more responsive on front risers and has the potential for faster, more powerful turns.
The Valkyrie performs great on rear risers, with more power and a wider range than on the Competition Velocity. The Valkyrie is very efficient in converting speed into lift, and we have found that it is even better than a Comp Velocity at getting you back from long spots.
##Will the Valkyrie replace the Comp Velocity?
The Valkyrie fits into our line up between the Competition Velocity and Peregrine. It is not suitable for anyone’s first cross-braced canopy. It is for expert pilots who are already very skilled on high performance, cross-braced canopies. For competitive pilots looking for more performance, the Valkyrie will be a great choice.
##How current should you be before jumping Valkyrie?
VERY current, and already experienced and competent on cross-braced canopies.
##Is it a Poor Man’s Peregrine?
Haha… it’s the Peregrine for those who like a little color in their life. Wait till you see the stock color patterns! 😉
##Where did the inflatable stabilizer design come from, is that new?
The first cross-brace parachute on the market was the PD Excalibur. It was a 7-cell, but the first prototypes were 9-cells. In the early 1990s, we built paragliding versions of the Excalibur that were 7, 9, 11, and 13 cells, all of which had inflatable stabilizers. Nothing revolutionary there – more of an evolution in the shape of the stabilizer.
The Valkyrie is a carving machine!
##How is the pack volume?
The Valkyrie packs up about one size smaller than the same size Comp Velocity.
#Is anyone currently jumping the Valkyrie? Who, where, when and why?
Since July of this year we’ve had many test jumpers flying the final revision of this experimental prototype… although technically they’re not jumping a production product. They’ve been built in our engineering department as experimental (‘X’) canopies, whereas final products go through the general production process on our production floor. Our very first Valkyrie is on the production floor, making its way through our ‘first piece’ process as we speak. This is a meticulous system where we verify and approve all our documentation and work instructions. This ‘first piece’ package will ensure that production is building in a consistent manner, exactly what we’ve engineered and developed and are wanting to put out for our customers.
If you’ve been out at DeLand (or seen our reps on tour), you’ve probably seen our test jumpers on it for some time now. Some of the PDFT competed on it at the recent World Meet and PD Tvier Tvo events. World Champ Curt Bartholomew is also out there swooping the crap out of it.
As for the why… well, we value feedback from the best canopy pilots in the world and every day jumpers alike. This canopy is for everyday use, so it’s important to get feedback from many different perspectives.
##Is the Valkyrie a response to Leia?
No. It’s a direction we’ve been going for a long time, in parallel with the development of the Peregrine. We release canopies in response to our customer’s needs and desires, not in response to other company’s activities. And we release them when and only when they are ready and doing everything we want them to.
##When can people order one?
The Valkyrie is available from 1 December, from authorised PD dealers.
##I’m curious, how can I find out more?
Lesley Gale from Skydivemag.com has an exclusive interview coming up with PD’s lead engineer John LeBlanc. If you have a question you’d like to put to John – about the Valkyrie or anything else – email it to lesley-at-skydivemag.com, or post your query below. Stay tuned to watch the interview. We’ll get as many of your questions answered as possible.
NB: The Valkyrie is NOT suitable for anyone who does not already have extensive cross-brace canopy experience
For more information, see the Performance Designs website, where you can also download Valkyrie FAQs
Write your questions for John Le Blanc in the comments box below, by Thursday 27 November
