I have been asked by several people if they could have more steps in the gore calculator. I have made 'chutes up to 2.5m across and have had no problems with the 20 steps provided so do not intend to include it in the calculator. However for those who want them here are the equations I use including a 5mm hem allowance each side. All dimensions should be in mm.

D = diameter

N = number of gores

X = any value between 0 and 90 where zero is the bottom edge of the gore and 90 is the point.

H = height up the gore plan. = (π * D* X/360) + 5

W = gore width = (π * D / N * cosX) + 10 Note this is the full gore width and not the half width provided by the calculator.

So there it is for those of you who want it. It's not difficult to write a program for a PC or good calculator to knock out these results quickly.

Another valid comment that has been made is that I do not give the basis for my diameter to weight calculation. There is a very good reason for this as it is only supposed to be a guide line. The size of 'chute required depends upon the rate of descent required and is also very effected by the diameter of the central vent. I started off using the "Big Book of Parachuting Teddies" where you get 3 variables of fast, medium or slow descent and then tried it out for myself with 'chutes I made. I used 3 different bears and looked for a descent rate that would let it down gently within a reasonable drift distance. I then came up with an approximate ratio of weight to diameter. Does that answer your questions folks. There is probably a much better mathematical way of calculating this but you have so many variables including such things as the drag factor of the particular bear, is it worth it? I still have a lot of faith in a practical observation based over years of fauna bombing.

What does it matter as long as you are having fun and the bears don't get hurt?