New line set?

[Courteney 0]

Howzit,
Was just wandering how many jumps should one put on a new line set before changing it?
I jump a Stiletto 135 if that makes a difference.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[AggieDave 6]

It varies, some folks it takes 300-400 jumps, some folks it takes closer to 1000 jumps on a canopy before its time.

Do a line trim test to see if its needed. If you have questions on how to lay out your canopy to do that, you might want to have your rigger help you. (basically you lay it out like you're going to flat pack it and see if it all matches).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Courteney 0]

So I just compare the corresponding lines lengths?

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[AggieDave 6]

Basically.

If you really really want to you can get the actual line lengths from PD, and measure.

Oh, meant to mention in the first post. I'm not a rigger, this is what my rigger and other riggers have told me to do in the past so I'm passing on the knowlege. It would be best if you had your rigger help you out the first time you do this.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Harksaw 0]

I'm pretty sure for an elliptical canopy you'd need to have the line lengths.

__________________________________________________
I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait.

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

Was just wandering how many jumps should one put on a new line set before changing it?
I jump a Stiletto 135 if that makes a difference.

It does make a diference. Your Stiletto is probably lined with 825 lbs Spectra.

It really has an efective life of about 400-600 jumps.

AD has sugested you check the line lengths agains each other which is good for left to right trim. You may want to check the line lengths against PD's published spects to see if the outer lines have shrunk in comparison to the inner lines. The outers tend to shrink faster due to the friction of the slider.

If you're way out of trim you might start experiencing bad openings, and you are most definately not getting the full flight or flare out of the canopy in this condition. That said i have met a coupe of people who don't load their Stiletto's to heavily and have been able to fly it for more than 1000 jumps by taking care of the lines, and getting adiquate performance for their needs.

A reline will put so much life back into a canopy you'll think you got a new one!

Oh yeah: Line trim specs can be found here: http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/linetrims/ST_089-170LT.pdf

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[Courteney 0]

I appreciate the advice, thanks.
I'll speak to my riggers and try get the line lengths from PD.
Cheers!

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[Courteney 0]

Howzit,

Thanks alot for the link. I'll check it out with my rigger this w/e. I've been suspecting something might be wrong as I don't get the consistent openings as I used to. I have another question though. All my lines seem to look fine, EXCEPT my steering lines, they are pretty worn but none of the others. My slider grommets are smooth with no sharp areas. Any ideas why?

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

All my lines seem to look fine, EXCEPT my steering lines, they are pretty worn but none of the others. My slider grommets are smooth with no sharp areas. Any ideas why?

3 definate reasons and a 2 possible reasons.

1) The control lines probably take the most wear of all from the slider. The outside "A" lines the second. Even if the slider gromets are smooth.

2) The Brake lines are constantly being rubbed against your guide rings when you're flying the canopy.

3) the brake lines suffer from some serious forces when the canopy is opening. You have 1 line cascading to 3 or 4 attachment points across the span of the canopy. No other line on the canopy has more than 2 attachment points and those are all chord wise in orientation.

4)What kind of risers do you have? If they are Velcro, that can contribute to premeture wear of the lower contol lines.

5) Most people do not take the twists out of their brake lines. By leaving them in and having the slider run down the series of "bumps" that the twists cause premeture wear and shrinkage sets in. Plus the heat from the friction of the slider and the shock of the openings will begin to "set" the twists so they can't be removed.

I recomend people have their lower control line replaces every 300-400 jumps no matter if your having a reline or not, and if you don't have a reline done on a Spectra lineset by 600 jumps have the whole contorline (both sides) replaced from the top cats eye or cascade down.

Hope this helps...

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[JPDECHENE 0]

You can find the trim charts for all PD canopies on their web site.

JP.

[headoverheels 333]

I put 900 jumps on my first set of 825 lines on my Stiletto 135. Nothing was worn, but I probably should have replaced them at about 200 jumps sooner for trim. I load mine at 1.31, about the same as for you. I wouldn't be amazed to hear that heavier loaded canopies were more sensitive to trim, and would need replacing sooner. After relining, flare was better and openings were more snivelly, like when it was new.

[Courteney 0]

Thanks alot for the advice!
Buy you a beer one day...you never know.
Cheers.

...drags me down like some sweet gravity!!!