MT-1XX Packing Help

[freakflyer9999 1]

I have a borrowed MT-1XX that I now have 3 jumps on. The first 2 jumps were sub terminal openings that were pretty nice, however, my last jump (15 sec delay) yesterday was a slammer. I have dark blue bruises on both legs about 2 1/2 inches wide by 8-10 inches long.
I do not have a packing manual for this rig, but was using the packing instructions for the MC-4 that I downloaded from the internet. Flat pack, fold the A lines past the B lines, then stack the A lines on top of the B lines. Roll the nose tightly, then bring the C and D lines over to the stack, clear the stabilizers and cocoon as normal. Slider was fully up against the stops. All lines were tight. Took one wrap with each rubber band on the D bag.
After this I just stuffed the rig into my gear bag and didn't bother either inspecting it for damage or repacking. I'll do that in a few days after the soreness in my legs subsides a little.
BTW, I started to ProPack, but I have been out of the sport for a number of years and trying to ProPack something this large (370) seemed to be a daunting task.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[hookitt 1]

That sounds pretty accurate for the canopy.

If you want a stock packjob, This is almost what you've described. It's half a roll pack and it's worked for the parachute ever since it's conception.

Lay canopy flat.

Fold the nose over a few times (roll it).
Flip the A line group directly on top of the B's and then roll the whole thing over one more time.
Stack the C's on top then the D's and flake the tail and clear the stablilizers.

OK, this is the kicker. Since the A's and B's are rolled up there are twists in the lines. To get the slider up all the way, you need to push the twists out as best you can with out unrolling the bundle. Get the slider all the way up.

Wrap the tail around as usual and you're ready to S-fold. be sure the slider is up all the way before you close up the D-Bag.

Hope that helps
Tim

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[cvfd1399 0]

Where did you borrow the mt-xx from? How much do you weigh?

I jump the same rig, and sometimes get the slammers you talked about. I do not pack yet, but I watch before to see how it feels when I jump it. I have jumped both propack, and flat pack. I prefer to have it flat packed, but it depends on how much roll the packer put into it. The other thing that helps is to have the legs straps really tight, and try not to "stand" into the straps while the canopy is opening. I try to keep a more sitting position, and I find the straps does not put as much force on the inside of your legs. That is where I usually get the burises. It can get really good openings, and really hard slammers(I once broke lines), just have to find the right combination of pack job, "tricks" on whatever type you use, and deployment position. I am in no position to tell you how to do anything being a student and all, but the MT-XX is the only rig I have jumped so I thought I would tell you what works for me.

[Kimblair13 0]

"BTW, I started to ProPack, but I have been out of the sport for a number of years and trying to ProPack something this large (370) seemed to be a daunting task."

Hey...does your DZ have hooks to pack with? Mine has hooks for tandems to be packed on. It helps a lot for huge canopies. Anywho...I have been a packer for about a year now but don't know much about your MT-1XX. Don't know much about flat packing either. Only advise I could give ya is if yer pro packing shove that nose way up there (thee 'ol eye popper) and then wrap the shit out of the tail. (be careful not to pack a line over, slappin a rubber band around the D lines could help prevent that) Make sure yer line stows are pretty tight too but not too tight (don't want a bag lock). Anyway...what exactly is a MT-1XX?

[nightjumps 1]

First, check to make sure you have the proper spring-loaded pilotchute for the rig. Sometimes, military surplus gets the wrong pilotchute put on it since they are usually "procured" without it.

Second, you mentioned single stow on the rubber bands, are they loose or "can" you put a second wrap on the band without too much strain on the band.

Third, I do a "sport" flat-pack on mine where I roll cells 1-3 and 5-7 tight towards the number 4 cell which is exposed. I will tell you that the "sport" flat-pack creates more bulk and makes it difficult to not only get in the D-bag, but also the main pack tray.

Finally, SkymonkeyOne, LouDiamond and Slotperfect have a lot of experience with the MT-1XX, you may wish to PM them for additional advice.

[mjosparky 4]

The canopy in a MC-4 is an MT-1X canopy. They pack the same.
Roll the nose tightly to the A lines and then fold the A lines on top of the B lines. Take care that the roll starts at the bottom of the cells and closes them off completely.

Quote

Make sure yer line stows are pretty tight too but not too tight (don't want a bag lock). Anyway...what exactly is a MT-1XX?

A stow band can not cause a bag lock. If the stow is not trapped by other lines, the band will break if it does not clear.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[mjasantos 0]

Hi,

The standard (recommended) packing method for MT-1X canopies used to be the "Roll Packing" one.

I jumped this type of canopy in the military (for HALO & HAHO jumps) and that was the method riggers used to pack it.

Sorry that I can not find a link showing how to do it, but my best advice would be that you talk with a rigger... they know what "roll packing method" is.

Blue Skies!

-----------------------------
Mario Santos
Portugal

[mjasantos 0]

Quote

Anyway...what exactly is a MT-1XX?

MT1-X is the name for this old canopy (370 sq ft) often used by military for HALO and HAHO jumps in the mid 80's. Actually I jumped it from 1987 to 1991. There was also the MT1-S, a similar one but with slightly different specs. I think the manufacturer was ParaFlite.

When the assembled system had a MT1-X for main and a MT1-X for reserve, the assembly was called a MT1-XX. The designation comes from having a MT1-X for both the main and the reserve. It was a HUGE pack!!! The reason was an operational one: if, while jumping in operations, you had a malfunction with your main, you would still be able to continue the mission with your team, because your reserve chute was also an MT1-X.

Blue Skies!

-----------------------------
Mario Santos
Portugal

[riggerrob 643]

Three possible causes for hard openings:

- slider not HARD up against the bottom of the canopy. Double check slider position just before closing d-bag.

- loose rubber bands

- leg straps not tight in your crotch. Far too many junior jumpers tighten leg straps AROUND their thighs, but there is still slack between leg straps and crotch. When the parachute opens, those leg straps are going to end up in your crotch, might as well put them there early in the process.

[atsaubrey 0]

I haven't jump else but the XX canopies and the MT-1xx system. I will say when jumping the system I would get the bruises you mention and the hard openings. I currently use a XX as a main in my
Vector system and have been getting wonderful openings. I have the nose rolled tightly to the A lines and double check the slider. I believe (I dont know much) the main reason for slammers witht the system is due to the spring loaded pilot chute. (let me explain) I am using a BOC throw out with a 30 inch pilot chute. I have been concerned with using such a small pilot with such a huge canopy. I talked to some riggers about it and explained I hadn't had any hesitation but then again didnt want to find myself in that situation. We did some talking and and some of the ideas we came up with is the mass of the spring loaded pilot chute is probably the main reason these canopies have a tendency to slam ya. I haven't had one hard opening (just one brisk one) with the throwout, so it seems to be logical. How does this help you?? I dont know. Am I full of shit? Probably. We decided, don't fix what isn't broken and would hate to put a larger pilot on the system only to find it caused harder openings. In the mean time my suggestion would be careful with your packing and get some of those seatbelt shoulder pads at AutoZone (or wherever) and slip the around your legstraps to give you some kind of padding that the rig is definately lacking. GOOD LUCK!

"GOT LEAD?"