Spinning with line twists - what do I do?

[motley 0]

Hi guys,

I just bought a Crossfire 129 (the original one)and am downsizing from a Saber 170. I had 3 good jumps but on the 4th I had a line twist very early in deployment. The canopy started spinning left immediately and by the time it was fully open there was 2 line twists. I suspect much of the problem was caused by body position.

It turned 360 degrees 3 time and I was thinking about what I had heard regarding eliptical canopies in line twist - turn situations where they would never un-twist. So I calmly cut it away. The turns were not violent but fairly quick.

Did I cut away too soon? How do you un-twist if you are turning? How do I make sure I do not cut away unnecessarily if I find myself with line twists and spinning? Is this situation dangerous?

Can you also comment about deployment body position and packing to help me avoid line twists in the first place?

Cheers
Chris

[billvon 2,989]

If you:

-cannot stop the spin
-are building up G-forces rapidly
-are approaching your decision altitude
-cannot tell what's going on

then cut away. If the spin is not increasing, and you can kick it out, and you are above say 2000 feet, then you might consider keeping it.

Note that xfires are nothing like sabres. They need more attention paid to level-shoulders deployment, body steering on opening, and body steering during flight. It's not a canopy you can fly like a sabre.

Make sure you leave slack in your lines between the last stow and the risers - I believe PD recommends allowing around 18". Body position - make sure your shoulders are level on opening and get ready to body steer as the canopy pulls you vertical.

[motley 0]

Thanks for the feedback. By the way, to get the line twists out do you stop the spin first or un-twist while spinning. If stop the spin first, how do you do that when the lines are twisted?

Cheers

[Snowflake 0]

Also get slider bumpers if you have slinks...My slider was coming down and knocking a toggle loose which of course lead to line twists, spins and one cutaway before I figured it out.

[d604 0]

Quote

Did I cut away too soon?

Hey, your're the pilot in command, in my book you made the right decision.

Sean

CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

[AggieDave 6]

Do me a big favor. Go read the "how Aggie almost died thread" that was posted in General Skydiving a couple months ago. Then think about what you did.

You did the right thing.

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

[sducoach 0]

You can get out of line twists with an elip IF you have altitude and as BillyV said, you are pulling G's you are heading down hill fast. And if the canopy breaks nose down you need to cut it a way.
Two tries, check altitude, two tries, check altitude, "cha-chink"!

Blues,

J.E.

James 4:8

[grasshopper 0]

Quote

If stop the spin first, how do you do that when the lines are twisted?

if you have altitude to work with, try to even your links. when the canopy is spinning in line twists, your risers most likely won't be even. so if you grab your risers and even them, the spin should stop.
disclaimer: I have not tried this technique on a crossfire, but in my experience it works on other high performance canopies, so a crossfire should be no different.

________________________________________________________
Abbie drove me to Idaho and all I got was this lousy sigline

[Gravitymaster 0]

How many jumps do you have and what are you loading this canopy at?

[Faber 0]

not to flame you or so

Quote

to get the line twists out do you stop the spin first or un-twist while spinning. If stop the spin first, how do you do that when the lines are twisted?

but flying a crossfire129 you should know how to get out off linetwists if posible.
That said,i have a crossfire 99(1) whith slinks(no bumbers)i have had 2 line twists in it and it flew straigth..but tryed a sabre120 who spinned me bad.

do as Bill described and read Aggidaves post.I think you did the rigth thing..

by the way.. just start untwist while spinning,you cant stop the spin unless you dont have the twistswell in most cases.be aware of your alti... a canopi in a violent spin eats alot of alti...

Stay safe
Stefan Faber

[motley 0]

Thanks Snowflake. Good advice.

[motley 0]

Good story. Glad you are with us to tell it. Thanks for sharing the benefit of your hard won experience.

Cheers

[motley 0]

Thanks mate. I'll remember that.

Cheers

[motley 0]

Thanks Grasshopper

[motley 0]

+1,400, loaded at 1.4:1

[motley 0]

Thanks for the help

Cheers

[Faber 0]

no worryes

Stay safe
Stefan Faber