Collapsible PC

[captain1976 0]

Never really paying attention to my pilot chute on a typical canopy ride, I payed particular attention to what it was doing on a few jumps this weekend.

I didn't like the way it danced around especially on some of the quick turns I was making, not to mention the the obvious distortion around the middle of the canopy in full drive.

Since there doesn't seem to be any recent threads on the subject I wish to get some advise on the best/safest system to use and where to get them. I jump a Spectre 230.

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[dragon2 2]

Altico sells a collapable pilotchute + hackey handle for your Dolphin, otherwise get a kill-line bridle + pilotchute that's suitable for your rig from your rigger/gearshop, that way you may have the choice between hackey handle or orange pipe should you want that.

Just about any kill-line system will do, you mainly have to make sure the accompanying pilotchute is ok for your rig, size-wise and material-wise. And color-wise if that's important to you

BTW if you do wingsuit you might want to consider getting a somewhat longer bridle than standard.

Now don't forget to cock your pilotchute when packing, after installing the new system

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[captain1976 0]

Thanks for your answers. I failed to mention that because of a shoulder injury (I got into a fight a few years ago with the tail of a twin otter), I must use a leg strap pocket. I also use packers most of the time, how reliable are they when it comes to cocking or whatever they do to insure the damn thing will work?

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[skybytch 273]

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I must use a leg strap pocket.

Not an issue.

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I also use packers most of the time, how reliable are they when it comes to cocking or whatever they do to insure the damn thing will work?

Cock it yourself before you turn the rig over to the packer, and check to be sure it's cocked before you jump it.

[RiggerLee 61]

Can be an issue. Leg straps tend to be a bit loser. You just can't get the tightness you get from the BOC when it's streatched across the bottom of the packed container. It makes the sizeing of the pocket and pilot chute more critical. It might argue in favor of a larger f-111 pilot chute that might be less prone to finding it's way out of the pocket.

I remember when legstraps were the norm. I saw enough premies that I was not at all sad to see them go away. BOC's are just flat a supier design on several levels. I'm going to throw out a suggestion. It has a lot of cons to it but you might want to concider it. Left handed BOC. You have to retrain your self from scratch, can't loan your rig, can't borrow some ones rig. But you might want to think about it. I've seen and sewn several over the years for people with shoulder or elbow problems. I always give them the same lecture when ever they ask me to build one. I'm not a proponent of nonstandard gear but if this is really a long term condition for you you might think about it.

Lee

Lee
lee@velocitysportswear.com
www.velocitysportswear.com

[AggieDave 6]

Even on a Spectre 230 you will see an improvement in how your canopy flies with a collapsible PC. For a (non-scientific) laugh, take an old PC (non collapsible), put it on a fish scale and drive with it out the window at 20mph just to see how much force it will generate.

All of that drag isn't fun for canopy flight, but more importantly all of that drag is pulling up on and distorting the top skin of your canopy.

After you switch, let me know if you notice a difference.

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

[captain1976 0]

  Quote

Can be an issue. Leg straps tend to be a bit loser. You just can't get the tightness you get from the BOC when it's streatched across the bottom of the packed container. It makes the sizeing of the pocket and pilot chute more critical. It might argue in favor of a larger f-111 pilot chute that might be less prone to finding it's way out of the pocket.

I remember when legstraps were the norm. I saw enough premies that I was not at all sad to see them go away. BOC's are just flat a supier design on several levels. I'm going to throw out a suggestion. It has a lot of cons to it but you might want to concider it. Left handed BOC. You have to retrain your self from scratch, can't loan your rig, can't borrow some ones rig. But you might want to think about it. I've seen and sewn several over the years for people with shoulder or elbow problems. I always give them the same lecture when ever they ask me to build one. I'm not a proponent of nonstandard gear but if this is really a long term condition for you you might think about it.

Lee

Lee,

I was actually planning to do just that when I order a second rig in a couple of months. I will just have to remember for the first few jumps where the damn thing is. The leg strap restricts me from several things I like to do or try, like tracking, sit flying and possibly a bird suit try.
Thanks

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[captain1976 0]

  Quote

Even on a Spectre 230 you will see an improvement in how your canopy flies with a collapsible PC. For a (non-scientific) laugh, take an old PC (non collapsible), put it on a fish scale and drive with it out the window at 20mph just to see how much force it will generate.

All of that drag isn't fun for canopy flight, but more importantly all of that drag is pulling up on and distorting the top skin of your canopy.

After you switch, let me know if you notice a difference.

I just ordered one from Mike Furry and will have it tomorrow and give it a try this weekend.

Since I have a pretty good feel for the canopy in that I can land it pretty much where I want to, I should be able to tell immediately if there is any performance improvement.

Will respond on that

Thanks

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[robskydiv 0]

  Quote

Never really paying attention to my pilot chute on a typical canopy ride, I payed particular attention to what it was doing on a few jumps this weekend.

I didn't like the way it danced around especially on some of the quick turns I was making, not to mention the the obvious distortion around the middle of the canopy in full drive.

Since there doesn't seem to be any recent threads on the subject I wish to get some advise on the best/safest system to use and where to get them. I jump a Spectre 230.

Haha! Your'e alright with me Captain! I had an original non collapsible pilot chute attached to my Falcon for the first 30 jumps or so. I remember the (almost) stop than start, stop than start action especially while preparing to land. Ahhh... How nice a collapsible pilot chute is... I used to think: "Oh boy, another step in the process" (cocking the pilot chute). But I haven't forgotten once to cock it and you will not forget either. Enjoy it my friend. Harry

[captain1976 0]

  Quote

Even on a Spectre 230 you will see an improvement in how your canopy flies with a collapsible PC. For a (non-scientific) laugh, take an old PC (non collapsible), put it on a fish scale and drive with it out the window at 20mph just to see how much force it will generate.

All of that drag isn't fun for canopy flight, but more importantly all of that drag is pulling up on and distorting the top skin of your canopy.

After you switch, let me know if you notice a difference.

Yes, it makes a lot of difference. Made a few this weekend and seems to work fine.

First one I didn't and couldn't know the difference since the turbulence was so bad I was just trying to survive the jump.

But 3 more today with smooth air and had to adjust to the extra glide but I think I got the hang of it.

Should have done this long ago.

Thanks all for the advise

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[skydiverek 63]

Any difference in openings?

[captain1976 0]

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Any difference in openings?

Really hard to tell so far since I'm still getting use to the fact that the PC actually collapses. But I understand with a sniveling canopy like a Spectre it may be hard to tell.

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[skydiverek 63]

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Any difference in openings?

Really hard to tell so far since I'm still getting use to the fact that the PC actually collapses. But I understand with a sniveling canopy like a Spectre it may be hard to tell.

I switched to collapsible PC on my Dacron-lined Spectre 190, and it is like a snatch force disapeared. I CAN feel big diference.

[erdnarob 1]

The cleanest collapsible pilot chute system I have seen so far is what I have on my Vector III. No rapid links to connect bridle or kill line to canopy, no kill line exposed staying into to the D bag...everything is concealed into the bridle. There is only a little window for inspection between the D bag and the canopy. And the installation is super easy. I suggest you have a look to this retractable pilot chute assembly on a Vector III at your DZ. Check on picture in attachment. Note, the kill line has been pulled a bit outside its window to show where it is attached. There is no stitching at all for attachment at that location just a lark head knot.

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[theonlyski 8]

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The cleanest collapsible pilot chute system I have seen so far is what I have on my Vector III. No rapid links to connect bridle or kill line to canopy, no kill line exposed staying into to the D bag...everything is concealed into the bridle. There is only a little window for inspection between the D bag and the canopy. And the installation is super easy. I suggest you have a look to this retractable pilot chute assembly on a Vector III at your DZ. Check on picture in attachment. Note, the kill line has been pulled a bit outside its window to show where it is attached. There is no stitching at all for attachment at that location just a lark head knot.

So I dun good gettin one of them Vector3-M's?

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[skydiverek 63]

  Quote

The cleanest collapsible pilot chute system I have seen so far is what I have on my Vector III. No rapid links to connect bridle or kill line to canopy, no kill line exposed staying into to the D bag...everything is concealed into the bridle. There is only a little window for inspection between the D bag and the canopy. And the installation is super easy. I suggest you have a look to this retractable pilot chute assembly on a Vector III at your DZ. Check on picture in attachment. Note, the kill line has been pulled a bit outside its window to show where it is attached. There is no stitching at all for attachment at that location just a lark head knot.

This is what I have on my Infinity .

[erdnarob 1]

Good, the Infinity is a nice rig but you don't have a Skyhook on it.

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.