Board up your windows and make sure you bring Spot in from the back yard, the Storm is here! The newest addition to the PD line brings versatility and represents PD's constant strive to bring our newest developments to the market.

Many Aeroclubs have been placing much needed emphasis on canopy control skills from the beginner level. Some Aeroclubs are moving to mandate Introductory CF skills in order to promote canopy awareness. What canopy provides all the opening, flight, and landing characteristics you're looking for in an all around canopy that's also CF friendly..........

The Storm will be available as of May 2008. The links below include pricing, order forms, flight characteristics and FAQ's. If you have any questions we didn't address in the attached, give us a call!

Product information page
Flight Characteristics and FAQ's

Storm order form

CF Storm order form

Updated Price list

We have had many inquiries regarding the release date and potential to order the newest addition to the high performance line of canopies being engineered by PD. We have heard this canopy referred to as the competition velocity, velocity II, XB, factory team velocity, etc. As is sometimes the case with long-term projects of this proportion where a self-imposed completion date is looming, an obstacle will occur. Many times these are quickly solvable, but sometimes they require more extensive analysis.

At PD, we test our products extensively and thoroughly before we release them to our customers. We do this not only through testing within our R&D department, but also by using input from our test jumpers and sponsored athletes. This gives us a more accurate assessment of each prototype from many different sources, allowing realistic feedback from people who are representatives of the intended "end user." Our customers can always be sure that when they buy one of our canopies, it has met or exceeded our strict standards through quality design, quality materials and construction, and from thorough, extensive testing.
We have been pleased with the performance of the prototypes in this project for the most part, but we realize that more testing must be done before we are 100% certain it is ready. While that means we will not be releasing this product as early as some would like, it will ensure that when the canopy is released, it will perform exactly as it was designed.

Our R&D department is continuing on with this project in their usual, diligent manner. Sometimes rumors get started about prototype canopies because people get excited about them and, like little kids the night before a trip to Disney World, want it to get here now! While we often feel the same way about our projects, we will always do a thorough job of making sure we are 100% satisfied with them before releasing them to the world--no matter how long that may take. Many of you know to look to our website for updates. We also provide updates via our pd blog on current events, new products, the company, etc. These updates are posted almost daily! If you would like to keep up to date with what PD is up to, please check our website or the PD Blog

Those skydivers that subscribe to the New York Times woke up to a pleasant surprise on the front page of the Sports section this morning - an article on skydiving!!
We at PD have known it was coming for a little while, but didn't want to spoil the surprise.
A few weeks ago Matt Higgins, a NY Times reporter, started working with Shonda Smith (Communications Director at USPA), writing a story about skydiving. As a part of his research, Matt even did an AFF jump at Skydive DeLand, visited PD to learn more about building parachutes and finally came to watch a swoop competition at Skydive Palatka. Matt said he really enjoyed the jump even if his landing was a little bit less than graceful - but hey, we've all had those right.... We here at PD are quite impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication Matt and Diane put into this project. It is great example of professional journalism when compared to many other times skydiving shows up in the media. We must also send some props to Shonda and the gang at USPA for help making this happen - we may not always see it, but USPA Headquarters staff is hard at work behind the scenes, serving the members and promoting our sport. Go Team!

Since I'm not sure that too many skydivers subscribe to the NY Times (even if it's a stellar publication), without further ado - I present you the very fabulous NY Times article. It also features an awesome video put together by Diana Olivia Cave, who followed Matt on his journey armed with a giant high def camera (except suspiciously she didn't seem to catch Matt's landing... hmmm!!). You can either check it out as a part of the article or go straight to it here. There are many familiar faces to be seen in that video, cool interviews and some fun stuff as well. Enjoy!

Though its only May, the PD World Tour 2008 is in full swing. Last month the tour visited Fano, Italy; Casale, Italy; Perris, California; Boituva, Brazil; and Atlanta, Georgia.
Upcoming stops include Gap, France; Chalons Sur Saone, France; Kamloops, Britis Columbia; Orange, Virginia; Langer, UK; Teuge, Netherlands; Elsinore, California; and Spa, Belgium.

For updates from the tour, visit the PD Blog!

From time to time we get calls here at PD from customers requesting to buy our products. If they are interested in the PD accessories, used canopies, maintenance parts (line sets, parts, etc), or general maintenance, we can assist them. If they are interested in purchasing a new canopy, we respectfully let them know that at this time, we only sell our products through our extensive line of PD dealers. Our goal in utilizing a dealer network is to make sure our customers are receiving the right product for their skills, desires, and needs as the end user of our products. We do our best to keep our dealers up to date regarding changes to our product line, information about our company, and make them a sound resource to new and potential customers who may be looking into buying a Performance Designs product. Here are some common questions we receive...

How should I select a dealer?
You're not buying a new toothbrush or a pair of socks, this is a parachute, they're not cheap, there are many models, sizes and options to choose, and selecting the correct one is important. A listing and search of our authorized dealers can be found on our website. You may choose to select a dealer by finding the one geographically closest to you. That way you can meet him face to face to discuss your purchase. And if you have a problem down the road, he isn't that far away to assist with the service your canopy needs.
If there is a dealer on your home DZ, you may want to seriously consider purchasing through them. They have to look you in the eye every time you come to the DZ, so take their recommendations seriously even if it may not be what you want to hear.
Ask your friends who they buy from. Business referrals from a friend or relative are worth their weight in gold.

What if there is no authorized dealer close to me, or I don't want to buy from them?
If there is a business reason you don't like them, please let us know. If there is some other reason (like they are short, and you don't like short people), or there is no dealer close by, you may find yourself selecting a dealer online, over the phone, or on a visit to another dz. We recommend... (click here to read the rest of this article on the PD Blog)

Interested in doing 4 way? Don't wait - just do it! Here are some tips for newer jumpers interested in getting into 4-way.
Form a team, ANY team: If you want to do 4-way, the best way is to put together a team, ANY team. Don't wait for the perfect team to ask you, or for three 'perfect', identical teammates. Putting a team together can be tough - keep trying. Be proactive. Ask people and make sure others know you're looking for teammates. The more effort you put in to forming a team, the more you will learn about one of the toughest parts of 4-way.

Go to competitions: Competitions are great for many things. You gain valuable competition experience. Competitions expose you to other teams and 4-way enthusiasts that you can learn from, expand your network, and meet potential future teammates. Finally competitions are fun and can help re-inspire your 4-way passion. Don't turn down a competition because you think you're not ready. Go anyway. Set realistic expectations and have a good time. If the whole team can't make it, find a fill in or put together a pick-up team.

Do your homework: There's a lot you can do when you're not skydiving to improve your 4-way skills. Start by learning the randoms and blocks. Watch other teams' videos. Follow the sport on the NSL. CSC Rhythm has compiled some of our favorite 4-way articles on our website . Visualize, Visualize, Visualize! Find someone else who is interested and engineer and walk dives together. Add core strength, flexibility, and cardio to your workouts. Don't worry if your teammates don't want to do as much 'homework' as you. You will get out what you put in.

Add in extra-curricular activities: There is no reason you can't do more 4-way than your team wants to do. Lots of teams, tunnels and dropzones offer great organized 4-way events that can help augment your 4- way experience. Go to tunnel camps, 4-way skills camps, scrambles events, etc. Put together pick up 4- way at your DZ. Check out CSC Rhythm's team for a day event.

Submitted by: CSC Rythm