PC packing for IAD

[astor 0]

I would like to ask for some practice experience with various methods of pilot chute packing and placement for IAD jumps (i.e. at the bottom of main container, in a leg strap pouch, etc.), their pros and cons. The IAD method is not very widespread in Europe, but my instructor is a big proponent of it and tries to elaborate some methodology for training. Any links for documents (preferably in English), images and other materials will be appreciated too. Thanks a lot!

[phoenixlpr 0]

First of all if its IAD you PC is not in BOC or either ROL pocket.

Its in a special packet static line to the plane. I have seen it packed by the instructor anyway.

So what do you wanna know?

Its nothing like a static line jump, just you have a normal throw-out PC instead of the psring loaded PC.

Don't worry, relax, its working just fine.

[peek 21]

Quote

First of all if its IAD you PC is not in BOC or either ROL pocket.

Its in a special packet static line to the plane. I have seen it packed by the instructor anyway.

That is very interesting. So you "static line" the hand deply pilot chute in a special bag?

If so, where is the bag when the student is exiting, and how do you hold the bag closed so the wind does not affect it?

[astor 0]

Quote

So what do you wanna know?

Its nothing like a static line jump, just you have a normal throw-out PC instead of the psring loaded PC.

Ok, but the normal PC must be stored somewhere before the instructor grasps it and throws in the air after the student exits - and that's I'm asking for...

For example, the USPA IAD/Static-Line Instructor Rating Manual states:

-----
The pouch needs to be tight, in good working
order, and mounted in a location accessible for
IAD operations:
(1) bottom of container
(2) leg strap
----

And I've heard there are other methods used (maybe in Norway - or Canada too?) and therefore I ask for their pros&cons.

Quote

Don't worry, relax, its working just fine.

I trust my instructor, of course

• Quote

[Superfletch 1]

We fold the pilot chute in a manner as to be able to feed out the bridle a little at a time as need to keep the bridle tight against the students body while they climb out. I use the ROL pouch as it is easier to retreive in a Cessna.

Gary "Superfletch" Fletcher
D-26145; USPA Coach, IAD/I, AFF/I
Videographer/Photographer

[Danger 0]

Every rig I have used for IAD had a spandex pocket sewn to the left side the container with the opening facing up. This provides easy access for the instructor to retrieve the PC before exit. It is also easier to retract and throw during emergency exits.

Danger

[Remster 30]

Quote

Its in a special packet static line to the plane. I have seen it packed by the instructor anyway.

What?

I've done IAD in 5 DZs in Canada where the method was pretty much the standard for 1st jumps, and, what you said made no sense to me... Care to explain more how its done at the DZs you've been at?

At the DZs I instructed at, the PC is stored either in the BOC pouch, or a IAD specific pouch located on the left hand side of the rig, along its side. I think the side-of-rig pouch is more old school and most more modern rigs I've seen just use the BOC pouch.

Its stored in there, folded as if it was going to be used for Freefall. Whne its time to get the student ready for his jump shortly before jumprun, the student bends over so the instructor can reach above then, take the PC out, and then folds it in his hand. The method I was toucgh and used is a basic S fold of the PC and bridle.

Remster

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

First of all if its IAD you PC is not in BOC or either ROL pocket.

Its in a special packet static line to the plane.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sorry phoenixlpr,
But you just described an obscure European variation on IAD, so obscure that I have never seen it during my 20-plus years as an IAD Instructor.
That sounds like the worst vartiation on pilot-chute assist static-line, because it is long enough to allow a student to do a complete back flip before any fabric hits the wind.
The greatest advantage of North-American-style IAD is that it exposes the pilot chute to the wind BEFORE a student can backloop. Specifically, Canadian IAD Instructors "place" the pilot chute in the wind BESIDE the student as soon as they see air between the students' fingers and the wing strut. This has the pilot chute deploying exactly the same way Bill Booth designed it to 30-some-odd years ago.
Quick IAD deployments cut short a whole hockey sock of problems.

• Quote

[riggerrob 643]

Over the last 22 years, I have dispatched IAD wearing pilot chutes mounted in all the popular places: belly band, leg strap, BOC and extra pouches on the left side of the container.
Today I will convert a few more of our student rigs by sewing extra pouches to the left sides of containers.

Pilot chute folding is the same for IAD or freefall students. Bridle in the middle, with shiny fabric outside and the whole package about the same size as the Spandex BOC pouch. Before the door opens, the instructor slides the pilot chute out of the pouch and holds it with two fingers of his right hand. The other two fingers wrap around the left lateral strap of the student's harness.
As the student climbs out of the Cessna, the instructor maintains that grip - on the lateral strap - until he sees the student's fingers release from the wing strut. As fast as possible, the instructor "places" the pilot chute low and off to the left side of the student.
The goal is to have the pilot chute deploy in exactly the same manner as it would during a short hop-and-pop.

[peckerhead 0]

I do it pretty much the same way as RR except I hold the entire pilot chute and bridle in my fist and just tuck my pinky finger up under the main closing flap. I always try to expose as little bridle as possible.

All our student rigs are boc.

[sdctlc 0]

The big advantage to an IAD method is really seen with small DZ's where student gear might be limited. Also you dont have to swap bags or add a PC. Freefall set up and IAD deployment set up is the same. Basically the rig is ready to go for either once packed.

I think the question as to where to put the PC? It can go in a BOC, ROL or (I have not seen this in person) another easily acdcesable pouch for the instructor. Mind you the 3rd option would be a packing difference between Freefall and IAD.

When I was at a DZ a number of years ago that did IAD, we used a ROL. That was picked so when the students went to FF they could "See" the handle in the Arch Look Reach Pull sequence. I think you could put it anywhere for easy instructior access though. Once the Instructor has the PC, he wants to only have enough bridle out as needed.

I guess the question could have been more "Where is the PC with an Exit?" In this case I would have the PC in my hand on top of the main tray of the student. I have one foot out of the plane and "follow" them out so I dont have loose bridle flopping around. When the student exits and depending on the jump I can do a few different things:

1st jump example:
I can hold the PC to bridle streach or hold it till canopy is comming out of bag. Kinda like short lining with a S/L

PRCP example:
I can extend the time to cnopy by having the PC go with the student. Forceful toss down to prevent the PC from comming up and towards the tail. This can be adjusted timming wise to get the canopy out slightly slower to faster.

Hope that helps,
Scott C.

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

Sorry phoenixlpr,
But you just described an obscure European variation on IAD, so obscure that I have never seen it during my 20-plus years as an IAD Instructor.
That sounds like the worst vartiation on pilot-chute assist static-line, because it is long enough to allow a student to do a complete back flip before any fabric hits the wind.
The greatest advantage of North-American-style IAD is that it exposes the pilot chute to the wind BEFORE a student can backloop. Specifically, Canadian IAD Instructors "place" the pilot chute in the wind BESIDE the student as soon as they see air between the students' fingers and the wing strut. This has the pilot chute deploying exactly the same way Bill Booth designed it to 30-some-odd years ago.
Quick IAD deployments cut short a whole hockey sock of problems.

Im sorry It was incomplete.

A PC is folded in a small spandex pocket which has a static line and that is connected to the plane. The instructor is holding that pocket close to the students head on exit. Thats all I saw.

[teason 0]

My 2 cents

I've dispatched with ROL, BOC, side puch and belly band.

There are problems for each that can concern the training as well as the logistic of the IAD.

First the ROL. I found this to be a difficult PC to extract when the student was bent over. The student would often be sitting on it and when a couple of Gs where thrown into the mix, it became a real pain. The ROL, however, made for easy training of freefallers over the BOC. Also with ROL, if the jumper behind the pilot is seated for the flight, there is a chance of the PC getting pulled out when they turn around. (and they often do it when you are outside the plane)

Second the BOC. The BOC is very easy to extract and handle. It has good bridle protection when the gear is used for freefall. The BOC, however, does not allow for a paper pull. When the jumper releases the aircraft, by the time they reach back for the paper the bag is out. This makes the flaps loose and the paper is not where it should be. If the student's hand is in the right place, the paper isn't there. I did away with paper pulls on BOC gear and it improved the performance if first freefallers and got them there quicker.

Next the side pouch. A good idea in theory but you still need to bend the student over to look at the pin so the advantage is reduced. Also, in a narrow body 182, the third jumper would jockey in his seat and the PC would inch it's way out. (that with the jumper on his knees behind the Pilot) I had never seen so many PCs loose in the plane before the side pouch!

Finally the belly band. Not bad but unnerving if you are at a DZ that keeps the door open between jumpers as you extract the PC out the door. The Belly band had lots of bridle and issues of its own on freefal that I don't need to get into. Pros -Student can identfy the handle. cons- the student often bent at the hips and went unstable when they identified the handle.

AS for the folding, the hotdog is the best for handling the PC but must have the bridle attatchment point pulled out on the first fold or else a bad "geek" will rip the pc apart. A sloppy PC can have the pvc tube fluttering in the breeze and with a hanging exit, the student may lookup and snag the handle between the helmet and yoke (I shit you not). Don't let it flap around loose!

Tim

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.