"Mixed" tandem bridles

[skydiverek 63]

I noticed that some of the Sigma tandem drogue bridles used at Skydive Dubai are made from both old AND new type of bridle materials. Below are the examples. Any comments...?:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/643893_295299907245717_1741273419_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223769_298975153544859_1373964719_n.png

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197541_296768600432181_1180979415_n.jpg

[piisfish 140]

I saw the same around here in Switz.
I like the new part of the bridle (can't remember, is it Type8 ?). The "old" bridle gets damaged very quickly on the lower part, where the bridle gets "crunched" when uncollapsing the drogue chute.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

The new bridles are crap. We've had kill lines burn through them on the bottom portion (below the disk), just above the disk, and up near the drogue. It seems the friction of the kill line against the "new" material causes much more friction and it sort of "crystalizes" the kill line making it "sharper" so it cuts right through the bridle. Many more snapped kill lines with the new configuration as well. I'm talking VERY NEW bridles here, too.

Chuck

[piisfish 140]

"funny"
I thought that the original was bad enough.
should this lower part be longer, so as to crunch less ?

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I could post pics showing where it cut through the "crunch" zone which would seem like the most likely place it's happening, but it's not. We are very careful to cock the bridle at the "inspection window" so as to be able to check the kill line and we cock the rest when we untwist the bridle prior to packing the drogue. The most common place where they are burning through is above the disk and before the juncture between top and bottom bridle portions. We've had one burn through just below the drogue on the top portion as well.

Chuck

[parachutist 2]

Interesting. I haven't seen these holes any more often with the black Ty-12 bridles than with kevlar. One thing I did notice with new bridles, that UPT didn't mention as fas as I know: the ty-12 stretches a lot. Kevlar didn't. That changes how one needs to measure the kill line when installing into the newer bridles. With Kevlar bridles you could use maybe 10-15 lbs of pressure when sizing the kill line, and that bridle would be fully stretched. It takes 30-40 lbs on the newer bridles to get a similar effect. If someone follows the old instructions for kill line sizing, the line will probably be 2-3" too short. Im wondering if that could leave you with a tight kill line after chute deployment, rubbing on the bridle til landing.

Chris

[Deyan 36]

Quote

I saw the same around here in Switz.
I like the new part of the bridle (can't remember, is it Type8 ?).

The new bridle is made from Type 12

"My belief is that once the doctor whacks you on the butt, all guarantees are off" Jerry Baumchen

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

@ Chris: That might be entirely possible.

[Aaron_O 0]

If I'm not mistaken the black ones are not being used anymore. The last few we received are shipped with the Kevlar bridal and 'y' mods on the student harness. That oughta spark a whole new conversation, aye!

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Quote

If I'm not mistaken the black ones are not being used anymore. The last few we received are shipped with the Kevlar bridal and 'y' mods on the student harness. That oughta spark a whole new conversation, aye!

We hhad/ have a mix of parts here at San Marcos, Aaron. I found that out after I saw the Dubai pics at the start of the thread and talked to the riggers here about it. They showed me the burned up black ones we have had.

Chuck

PS: tell everyone at Eloy I said "hello" and thanks for the work

[pchapman 279]

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The last few we received are shipped with the Kevlar bridal !

A buddy who is a DZ rigger reports the same. Back to Kevlar!

[piisfish 140]

Is there an official position from UPT concerning the bridles ?

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[TomNoonan 1]

Quote

Is there an official position from UPT concerning the bridles ?

Mixing of the Type 12 and Kevlar bridle lowers/uppers is not a problem.

Namaste,
Tom Noonan

www.everest-skydive.com

[piisfish 140]

And does anybody know what UPT would do with a type 12 bridle with around 50 jumps and a broken kill line ?

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[TomNoonan 1]

Quote

And does anybody know what UPT would do with a type 12 bridle with around 50 jumps and a broken kill line ?

Hi, you can email your question to: rigging@uptvector.com.

Namaste,
Tom Noonan

www.everest-skydive.com

[piisfish 140]

Thanks Tom, will do right now

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[piisfish 140]

TomNoonan

Quote

And does anybody know what UPT would do with a type 12 bridle with around 50 jumps and a broken kill line ?

Hi, you can email your question to: rigging@uptvector.com.

3 days later no reply from their side

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[gowlerk 2,204]

piisfish

***

Quote

And does anybody know what UPT would do with a type 12 bridle with around 50 jumps and a broken kill line ?

Hi, you can email your question to: rigging@uptvector.com.

3 days later no reply from their side

It's Saturday today, they aren't open on Fridays. You just sent it Thursday, maybe late in the day. UPT will answer your question, don't be ragging on them here. Sheesh, people sure do get impatient in the new instant gratification internet days.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.