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Velopilot

Riser Length-Effects on Opening Characteristics?

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We haven't found and significant correlation between riser length and opening characteristics.

The frequency of line-twists seems to be married more to bag stability on deploment. "Bag wobble" and spin seem to be the source of most line-twists. Insufficient pilot chute drag, and or excessive line-stow extraction force is the greatest correlate in that department.

In other words, if your pilot chute is wimpy, the bag will lift slowly. This tends to be less stable and more likely to experience a heading change in the process of reaching full line-stretch. Likewise, if your elastics require significant force to extract the stows, the bag will have a greater frequency of "wobble" and rotation.

Keep in mind that the closing stows must keep the parachute in the bag until full line extension. The non-locking stows, however, should be light enough to allow the bag to ascend unimpeded.

This idea is contrary to the traditional belief that the speed at which the bag ascends has a correlation to opening speed. This has proven not to be the case. Again, the parachute must remain in the bag until the lines are fully extended, but the rest of the deploment must be swift and unhindered.

This is the same proven concept as the reserve freebag. Freestow main bags are making a comeback, and the R&D is showing very impressive results in this area.

The last significant factor in the genesis of line twists is the fit of the deployment bag in the container. If the bag is too big for the main pack tray, the significant forces required for extraction can increase the frequency of bag instability and rotation.

I recently demoed a canopy from a competitor that had a bag too large for my container. The canopy was correctly sized for my rig, but the inflated canopy inside the bag made the fit rather snug. Although I pointed this out to the representative, they seemed to blow me off in this regard. Had I not been an experienced test pilot, I never would have been able to kick out of the many line twists that ensued from the unstable bag deployment. That would not have been good fo their sales.

I know this has strayed from the riser length question, and for that I appologize. I just wanted to utilize this opportunity to address the issue of line twists as completely as possible.
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yOU OR I AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL A DIFFERENT MAYBE



Let me correct your statement.

YOU aren't going to be a ble to tell.


Oh and the Caps Lock key is way over on the left hand side of your keyboard. Try it.
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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

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