Performance Designs, Inc. is a world-class parachute Manufacturer Designing wings of excellence, providing the highest quality product through pride and integrity, to ensure product reliability with unsurpassed dedication to our customer's needs.

Revolutionize -

to make a complete and basic change in; alter drastically or radically

Since the inception of Performance Designs in 1983, improving the performance levels of ram air canopies has been PD’s primary focus. Not to be undertaken alone, in 1984 Bill Coe, founder and president of PD, enlisted the aid of John LeBlanc. A relationship forged at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University while studying aeronautics, they have continued to introduce some of the most cutting edge concepts, designs, and materials in the parachute industry today. Setting a new standard in design, PD has produced some of the most successful ram air canopies built to date.

Vision -

1 : something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy; especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation 2 : an object of imagination 3 : a manifestation to the senses of something immaterial <look, not at visions, but at realities -- Edith Wharton>

Visions of flight have become a reality with Performance Designs continued emphasis on research and development. Offering superior opening and landing characteristics in the early successes of the PD Tandem canopies for Relative Workshop, and the PD 9-cell series of main canopies, PD’s statement was heard throughout the parachute industry: “We will offer superior solutions to our customers’ needs by producing a consistent product with design characteristics and quality that will stand the test of time.”

While the innovation of these canopies catapulted Performance Designs to the lead position in ram air design, John and Bill were beginning to feel the limitations of the materials that they had to work with. This dissatisfaction led to research in the area of low drag suspension line, resulting in the development and use of “microline.” Made out of Spectra fibers, microline cut suspension line drag in half increasing performance dramatically. Microline has gone on to become an industry standard.

Refine -

transitive senses 1 : to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material 2 : to free from moral imperfection : ELEVATE intransitive senses 1 : to become pure or perfected 2 : to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions

The end of the 80’s bore witness to a tremendous growth spurt within PD. The compulsion for innovation continued to be shared by all those employed by Performance Designs. Following the introduction of the tandem canopies, the company’s focus was turned towards the refinement of ram air reserves. After three years of strenuous research and development, the PD Reserves were introduced to the world of skydiving. They were tested well beyond the requirements of TSO C23c category B under which they were approved. Offering reliability, durable construction, and the finest flight and landing characteristics yet to be seen from a reserve, the PD reserve canopy’s debut ensured PD’s continued presence as a frontrunner among canopy manufacturers.

Of course, research and development of main canopies continued as well. In fact, the release of the Excalibur marked the introduction of cross-brace technology to the canopy market. Developed and patented by PD, the design elements cross-bracing instituted, elevated ram air performance to another dimension.

Invent -

1 : archaic : FIND, DISCOVER 2 : to devise by thinking : FABRICATE 3 : to produce (as something useful) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

As the flight characteristics of canopies were pushed further and further, the design limitations imposed by the current fabric technology were beginning to show. Fabric permeability was proving to be a hindrance to the performance of the most dynamic wings in theory, seen to date. Performance Designs once again responded by devising a process to produce a completely zero porosity fabric. This process was provided to a fabric converter, modified, and finally manufactured in production quantities. As the limitations previously imposed by fabric porosity cleared, the vision of the direction ram air canopies should continue was clearer than ever. In 1989, after four years in development, the original Sabre was born, utilizing the capabilities of the zero porosity material. It was a perfect match made for the sky, designed with such vision that it has endured even until today. The original Sabre established precedence as the benchmark for rectangular zero porosity canopies.

In pursuit of not only efficiency, but also consistency, Bill Coe designed and constructed a computer-controlled, laser cutting system for cutting parachute material. Performance Designs is the only manufacturer in the industry with such capabilities. The laser tables have made it possible to trace each and every piece of material through a laser cut code, and to take the consistency of canopy manufacturing to a whole new level.

Innovate -

1 : to introduce as or as if new 2 : archaic : to effect a change in <the dictates of my father were... not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed -- Sir Walter Scott> intransitive senses : to make changes : do something in a new way

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Once the limitations in materials were overcome, the PD design team continued a trend of consistently releasing new canopy designs possessing the ability to out perform those previously available to the skydiving market. Combining the design elements from its predecessors with new innovation, the Stiletto was released in 1993, to a public desperate for the elevated performance that the new elliptical, 9-cell offered. This dynamic, high performance canopy was an answer to the increasing demands by more experienced canopy pilots. Cutting edge for its time, the Stiletto combined responsiveness with an extremely high rate of turn, and a flat glide. Merging great openings with an incredible flare, Stiletto loyalists can still be found at every dropzone today.

In 1997, PD anticipated the needs of the public again and responded with the Spectre. Clamoring for a 7-cell, tapered canopy, the Spectre offered slow, soft on-heading openings, quick turns, and fantastic landings—the quintessential all-around canopy.

Inspire -

1 : to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration 2 : to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on <was particularly inspired by the Romanticists> 3 : to spur on : IMPEL, MOTIVATE

As the times change, so have the needs of PD’s loyal customers. Once again, PD was met with an almost frenzied desire for even greater performance. In 1999, the definitive answer was the Velocity. Utilizing the patented crossbrace technology developed by PD, the Velocity was designed to satisfy even the most radical of canopy pilots. Not a canopy for everyone, it was contrived for those already experienced on high performance canopies flown at relatively high wing loadings. Taking highly experienced pilots to a level and range of ram air flight inconceivable before its introduction, the Velocity was built for the exploration of flight. With the ability to achieve incredibly steep, high-speed front riser turns, that transition through the recovery arch into swoop landings that cover an enormous distance, the Velocity has continually been the choice of top competitors everywhere. The rigidity of its cross braced structure, the power of its flare, and the reliability found in every PD product, makes the Velocity yet another example of PD’s ability to set standards among every level of performance in ram air canopies.

Airlocks. 2000 saw the beginning of a new millennium, and it looked like the high performance canopy trend was here to stay. While satisfaction in the Velocity was fierce, there were still those that wanted to see an airlocked canopy in the PD product line. Never one to deny the desires of steadfast jumpers, Performance Designs introduced the Vengeance. The handiwork of the design and testing team, the Vengeance brought the patented airlock system a new life. Soft openings, responsiveness, and an ability to generate more lift on landing than non-cross braced canopies, this was the airlocked canopy for the new millennia…and it could swoop.

The time had come for the original to spawn the next generation of Sabre. The Sabre2, was introduced to the skies in 2001. A totally new design from the original, Sabre2 incorporated advances in design accumulated throughout the decade or more that had passed since its predecessor. The Sabre2 was designed as an all-around canopy. It combines great landings with incredible amounts of lift, nice openings, and a range of performance that will keep a novice learning, and an expert excited. The Sabre2 is yet another example of visions, yet to become a reality, at Performance Designs.

Longevity -

1 : a long duration of individual life 2 : length of life <a study of longevity> 3 : long continuance : PERMANENCE, DURABILITY

Performance Designs’ commitment to the skydiving community began 20 years ago, when two men managed to make their visions a reality. Embraced by the skydiving community, Bill and John have never forgotten their humble beginnings and as a result will never forget to continue to listen and do everything they can to meet the needs of their customers. The fact that Relative Workshop has backed Performance Designs Tandem Canopies for almost twenty years, speaks for itself. PD canopies are flown by sponsored teams and individuals such as: Arizona Airspeed, The Golden Knights, Deland Majik, Alchemy, AriA, our Factory Swoop Team, Francisco Neri, Dave Brown, and too many others to list. It speaks volumes that people like Scott Miller and Rikster Powell have invested the amount of time that they have with product testing and development. Of course the true testament, are the legions of skydivers that have been flying PD main canopies and reserves for years, and those yet to come.

What will be next? Well, the next time you are laying in the grass, waiting for the next load, and you hear an unfamiliar WHOOOOOSH overhead as someone comes in for final, be sure to open your eyes and check, because it may just be your next Performance Designs Canopy. Internet E-Mail: Customer Service