Pilot Chute Misbehaving

[Gato 0]

I made 3 jumps on saturday, and the last jump of the day was a diving exit (nailed) and back loops (also nailed). I gave my 5-5 signal to my instructor, waved off at 4500' and pulled at 4000'.

(Incidentally, the equipment I'm using on student jumps is a PD 300 with a ripcord and spring-loaded PC, in a Javelin container.)

The opening was normal, as per se, but as the main was opening, the pilot chute dropped below the tail and the bridle wrapped itself once around one of my center D lines. I looked at my alti, and I was at 3200', plenty of time to deal with stuff. I unstowed the brakes, and did a controllability check, including a practice flare. There was minimal distortion (a slight kink) in the trailing edge, but it was flying straight and level.

I did 3 more practice flares into the wind just to be sure, and was satisfied that I had a land-able main by 2500', well above my hard deck of 1800'. I DID NOTICE, however, that if I went to deep brakes and held it there, it felt a bit unstable, like the canopy was breathing heavy or something. Felt a bit like mild turbulence.

This, of course, was not a malfunction or incident, but it was the first time that I thought I might have to cut away - which I was ready to do if necessary; EPs are some of the things I have the most confidence in. I know that in such situations, the word "might" doesn't fly - I don't want to try to land something I "think" will land OK.

One of the things that came back to me from my first jump course (thanks, Crash!!!) was that if you find yourself in a situation like mine, where everything appears to be working well, you should avoid making any radical turns or maneuvers. My ride back to the DZ was uneventful, and the approach and landing went very well, although I kept an eye on my strange-looking tail/pilot chute combo.

I'm not sure what I would have done if I'd had a hook knife - I'd like to think I would have done the same thing, but who knows?

Is this a relatively common thing? I know a collapsible PC would make it less likely to be an issue, but I wonder if anyone has had this situation turn into a malfunction.

Thanks for reading, y'all!

T.I.N.S.

[JohnRich 4]

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...the pilot chute dropped below the tail and the bridle wrapped itself once around one of my center D lines... Is this a relatively common thing?

Yes, it's fairly common. It happens with non-spring pilot chutes too. You did all the correct things - congratulations! It's rare that this type of thing would cause enough of a problem to warrant a cut-away. It's good that you were thinking your way through it, and following your training. Good job.

[voodew1 0]

Try pro-packing the pilot chute

The pimp hand is powdered up ... say something stupid

[Gato 0]

Pro pack a spring-loaded pilot chute?

Ok, I'll try it next weekend.....(runs away, crying)

T.I.N.S.

[SPAWNmaster 0]

good reactions man. for what it's worth the canopy "breathing heavy" is typical stall behavior for large canopies...you will find that this normal if you hold in deep brakes...your canopy may even buck around or collapse if are in a deep enough stall.

[Gato 0]

Thanks!

I am familiar with the pre-stall characteristics of this particular parachute, as I've flown it many times in deep brakes. It just seemed to go into that behavior sooner than normal, and I'm assuming the pilot chute was responsible.

Take it easy, and thanks for the vote of confidence, everybody!!

Head on a swivel, head on a swivel, head on a swivel!

T.I.N.S.

[chrismgtis 0]

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your canopy may even buck around or collapse if are in a deep enough stall.

That's fun though!

Rodriguez Brother #1614, Muff Brother #4033
Jumped: Twin Otter, Cessna 182, CASA, Helicopter, Caravan