Our beautiful Leia has had a rollercoaster of a ride since her inception back in 2014. She’s gone through a few transformations over the years. Full ZP, mini-ribs, hybrid. We finally settled on a hybrid canopy with mini-ribs in any colour combination you could want. However, she’s a wild princess and decided to throw a tantrum (or two) for a small group of jumpers with tension knots and firm openings. It’s had our our R&D team working overtime to solve with plenty of ‘back to the drawing board’ moments, scratching of heads and possibly even some hair pulling…
Now, after many test jumps, lots of relines and a new modified lineset, our lady of the blue skies is feeling like her fun self again. And what better way to celebrate than to ask our favourite World Champion Belgium 4-way FS team why they jump Leia. They started on the JFX and made the switch to Leia in the last 5 years. Since then they’ve been some of the most current jumpers in the world on our powerhouse princess…
Hayabusa reviews our Princess Leia
Our JYRO Athletes, FS team Hayabusa, were the perfect skydivers to ask for a review of our Leia. Why is that? Well, between them, they have over 32,000 jumps, with almost 4000 on our princess Leia and over 1600 on the new modification. And being military guys, they certainly don’t pull their punches, so we knew we could count on their honest feedback.
We’ve asked them to provide their canopy journey so you get an idea of how they progressed to Leia and who she is designed for. The team also says what they love about Leia as well as what they don’t. Yep, we want to give you all the feedback, not just the good bits.
And as we said before, Hayabusa have also been jumping the new modified lineset for Leia, so they let us know what difference it has made.
Plus, we’ve included some sick photos of the guys flying their Princesses over epic scenery and a very important question. If Leia was an animal, what would she be….
Photo Credit: Tim Parrant
What has been your canopy progression so far? And first impressions of Leia
Dennis
I have been flying JYRO canopies since 2013. For my team training with HayaBusa I started on a JFX 74, then downsized to a JFX 71 and after that switched to my Leia 66 that I have used since 2018. I have also owned and jumped Leia 64, SLeia 61 and Petra 61.
Jeroen
Spectre 170 – Spectre 120 – Vengeance 107 – Katana 107 – katana 97 – Neos 89 – JFX 84 – Leia 79 – Leia 75. After stepping up from a normal cross braced canopy, it feels like a whole new world is opening up when you start jumping a Leia. Sweet slightly softer openings, the canopy dives way longer, but the roll takes getting used to a little.
David
Back in the days my first canopy was a PD 170, then later a good old Stiletto 120. Early 2003 I downsized to a Velocity 90 and did about 5000 jumps on it. In 2009 we entered the Icarus franchise with the Neos and then ultimately the NZ family at the end of 2013.
The JFX at that time was an amazing canopy, however I missed that little punch at the end of long swoop. That kick I experienced when Leia got presented to the team. The feeling of ending your swoop and still being able to lift the canopy because of its shape and thus power was for me the punch I’ve always missed but have been searching for throughout my career, you can say it was my missing holy grail. Now that I have it, I will not give it back, and I take the canopy as a whole.
It gives me pleasure, it gives me that awe moment when stowing the toggles after the flare. I feel the happiest when I can do my 990° turn starting at 1300 ft, and then gently pull the back risers to steer the canopy over the landing area, the build-up of power and speed -> priceless.
Neal
I’ve been jumping JYRO canopies from the moment I joined HayaBusa and it is a great experience. I first did some jumps on a JFX2 89 before going to a Leia 84. Next year I will go to a Leia 79. My first jump on a Leia was a great experience. From the opening until the landing I can only say positive things about her.
Photo Credit: Tim Parrant
Who is Leia for?
Dennis
For people that are looking for an adrenaline rush! But Leia demands you to jump her a lot and to stay current. Get yourself some good canopy coaching and up your skills before you decide to get yourself a Leia.
Jeroen
For everybody who wants an all round canopy with maximum performance, but peace of mind that you can jump it in any condition or even with cameras on your head.
David
Ideally the canopy is for people who pack for themselves, and treat it with care. In the past I experienced a lot of tension knots, and indeed you need to blame it on fast packing. However, I never doubted that Leia gives you happiness and smiles. You do need experience, she is not soft and not made for softies. You need to be able to handle and control all the moves and inputs, especially in tough conditions. Leia does not forever forgive individual mistakes.
Neal
The Leia is a perfect all-round canopy for experienced canopy pilots. You can do everything with it. From 4-way to camera or swooping the pond. Leia can do it all.
Photo credit: Ioannis Vlachiotis Photography
Why do you choose to jump JYRO’s Leia? What do you love most about her?
Dennis
On the one hand she is a joy to fly! Consistent openings, lots of power and she goes FAST! On the other hand it is nice to be able to jump a very small size, less weight on your back to be able to move fast in freefall.
Jeroen
The slogan pure wild flight says everything in my opinion. I love the mindset of JYRO, and this translates well into Leia. I love how she looks, like seeing a woman on the street with the perfect curves, but that is totally badass.
David
The openings, the flight (also during long spots), the power in the dive and landing, that little kick at the end of a swoop, the full control it can give to the pilot of the Leia. It’s more than my canopy, it became my second girlfriend on the side. And I take her with her flaws because the positiveness wins all the time.
Neal
Leia suits me perfectly for what I do. I can get some nice powerful swoops after a jump with the team or I know she will bring me back when I come from a long spot after a fun jump during the weekend. I trust her completely.
Is there anything that you don’t like about Leia?
Dennis
Since the new modified lineset, there is not much I don’t like about Leia.
Jeroen
Huh? Say what?
David
That’s a tough question. In general, I’m keen to say absolutely NO. However the openings (as mentioned earlier) did bother my mind. But now after doing +350 jump on the adjusted line-set I feel more confident again, the engineers at the factory definitely did their best to come up with a solution that will benefit all the Leia pilots. I already have 1 cut-away due to a tension knot and I think that’s not abnormal and I’m willing to blame it on the packers, and not the canopy or lines. I do however, need more jumps on it and I’m persistent to give it my best to help Leia become the mother of all canopies, since also we strive for that perfection.
Neal
It is hard to say anything bad about such a nice girl. She’s hot.
Photo credit: Tim Parrant
You’ve been able to jump the new modified lineset for Leia, has it improved her? What difference have you noticed?
Dennis
It has definitely improved Leia A LOT! The openings have become a lot more smooth, less nervous BUT the big thing is that the problem of tension knots are gone!
Jeroen
Yes, I don’t notice much difference in the flying characteristics, but the openings are very predictable again. I did my share of tension knot cutaways, and it’s nice to have that peace of mind again when throwing away the pilot chute.
David
My openings are softer, and even more on-heading. I don’t have to control my openings like I used to, in the past. Now I just pull, and rely on the lines to give me her best possible present -> handle with care and she gives you pleasure.
Neal
Yes, I’m jumping the new lineset from the beginning of the year and the experience I had is only good. The flight characters didn’t change but the openings improved for sure.
Order a Leia lineset here and read more about the modification we made to it in our Help Centre.
If Leia was an animal, what would she be?
Dennis
A HayaBusa (Peregrine falcon). Fast, light and reliable!
Jeroen
I would think about a peregrine falcon, or was that bird already named to a canopy? Anyway, in Japanese they call it a HayaBusa!
David
For me: she is as elegant as a cheetah, and when you don’t expect it, she attacks with grace and convincement. She never disappoints.
Neal
There is only one right answer for us, a HayaBusa! The fastest bird.
Feature photo credit: Tim Parrant, a.k.a. Koala in the sky. His photos are dreamy. Also, he’s a pretty awesome instructor and did a webinar about getting current again. Watch it here.
Ready to get your very own Princess Leia? She’s available to order custom here.
Already own a Leia and need to replace your lineset? Head here to order. All linesets are the modified version which was released March 28th 2023.
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