Cutaway Rig Designs

[faulknerwn 38]

Here's a picture of what my additional 3-rings look like. It was done by Jumpshack.

[Chris-Ottawa 0]

Quote

So why not build an intentional cutaway specific rig? If you can afford the container to tear apart for the harness, you can probably afford a cheap used reserve to put in it. Swapping the mains out is easy.

You can even make a few bucks with it - lots of jumpers would love to do an intentional cutaway.

Thanks for the input everyone. I don't like the idea of modifying an existing rig for a purpose which I'll rarely use. I also can't justify the creation of another set of gear just for this purpose, and I definitely wouldn't charge friends to use the rig but I'd happily share.

I still believe that the easiest, and safest way out of everything mentioned so far is the second harness. This is the route I'm going to proceed down and rig up something that will be suitable as time permits.

One question to the people who have shared pictures. Both pictures show the cutaway canopy hooked up to the inside of the secondary container yoke. While it may be more comfortable, I seem to feel that once the canopy is deployed, it would be putting tension on the yoke and pulling the other rig off of your shoulders. It seems logical that if it was on the outside, it would hold allow it to expand outside the restriction of the top container and it would be clear for the cutaway. Care to share any specifics on the choice to keep it on the inside?

Thanks!

"When once you have tasted flight..."

[peek 21]

Quote

One question to the people who have shared pictures. Both pictures show the cutaway canopy hooked up to the inside of the secondary container yoke. While it may be more comfortable, I seem to feel that once the canopy is deployed, it would be putting tension on the yoke and pulling the other rig off of your shoulders. It seems logical that if it was on the outside, it would hold allow it to expand outside the restriction of the top container and it would be clear for the cutaway. Care to share any specifics on the choice to keep it on the inside?

In my case it was because I am big and the normal rig I wore (as parachutes 2 and 3) was a big rig, so the cutaway (parachute 1) harness fit inside the big rig naturally.

But other people who have used it had smaller rigs, and it was a bit more crowded. Still, it seemed like the best fit.

Probably because the cutaway parachute harness has no container attached, and can be tightened in a way to keep that harness inside easily.

[RIGGER160 0]

Hahahaha Robert I wonder what asshole made that thing for you on his lunch break many moons ago?

[theonlyski 8]

Quote

Hahahaha Robert I wonder what asshole made that thing for you on his lunch break many moons ago?

Still works too! Haha

"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

[billvon 3,008]

>I seem to think that the "2 mini rings on a standard big ring" would lead to issues in
>cutting away. IE: if one ring tucked under the other canopy, couldn't cut away, or only
>half cut away. It seems like added risk to me.

I've done it 3 times now with a chest mount container and 2 sets of mini risers. I've had no problems with it, and I prefer the simplicity of the system over the potential issues with a 2-harness system (i.e. the cutaway-only harness chest strap snags the main harness reserve handle as the tersh opens . . . .)

But of course you have to be comfortable with whatever you choose.

[councilman24 37]

Twardo,

Isn't that ring loop loaded in PEEL mode? In the eighties I added loops to the inside of the main lift web of a rig for separable three ring rings but stitches are below loop. Made a one pin, throw out PC with pouch on the bottom chest/belly container. Added tie down rings to the container.

Mine was/is a two point three ring release cutaway. Individual cutaway cables are sewn to each riser. Hold one three ring with finger of one hand while you pull the cable out. Pull the other one and the first one becomes a dead man release. Lets you streamer the canopy for awhile if you want. But with this when you cutaway you go back into freefall with your normal rig.

Doing the two point three ring release really simplifies things.

I don't think anyone mentioned Strong's cutaway rig. It's set up to mimic the tandem rig so handles are in weird locations but two sets of risers on one harness ring with two complete sets of cutaway housings and cables. Two main containers one lower on your butt than the 'normal' one.

RI/Sandy make the ones for the Knights but I don't care for that system. The cutaway canopy is in a container stacked on top of the regular main container. This means unless you open the cutway canopy and release it you can't open the main you intend on landing. In case of a change in plans (AC emergency) I want to be able to open any canopy in any order.

My old one is still around with canopies to go in it. I plan on assembling a new one with two sets of mini risers on one set of harness rings. Again with riser mounting cables for the chest/cutaway canopy. If you release tie downs you go back into freefall with your normal rig.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE