Reserve Pilotchute: Meshless or with Partial Mesh?

[skydiverek 63]

Riggers and not only: which one do you think is better? Meshless (like the one on Vector 3, for instance), or the one with partial mesh (like on Mirage G3, for instance)?

Advantages or disadvantages?

[markbaur 0]

I like a Mirage pilot chute in my Mirage, a Vector pilot chute in my Vector.

It's easier to keep mesh and fabric out of the pull-up cord on either Vector or Mirage (where the material is pulled out of the coils), versus Rigging Innovations (where the material is stuffed into the coils).

An all fabric pilot chute like the Vector has nearly as much drag on its side as it does upright, so is less likely to hesitate than a pilot chute with mesh, which tends to deflate if it falls on its side. But the Vector pilot chute has a higher parts count and more seams, thus is more expensive to make.

So which do you like?

Mark

[ZigZag 0]

Sorry, I was bored and just wanted to toss my .02cents around.

[Rdutch 0]

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Riggers and not only: which one do you think is better? Meshless (like the one on Vector 3, for instance), or the one with partial mesh (like on Mirage G3, for instance)?

Advantages or disadvantages?

There is no doubt the Vector (Meshless) Pilot chute is better, And to prove my point there is plenty of video documenting, the difference. The Vector pilot chute works optimally no matter which way it hit's the air. With any mesh bottom canopy it was to work somewhat top up. as to infliate. Vector pilot chutes used to be mesh on the bottom, they evolved from that, and developed a better system, Call RWS and I am sure you can get a copy of the video, or at least arrange a viewing of the video they made testing the differences. As far as packing ease, that is a difft story, but what would you want, an easier to pack chute (Not really cause with practice its a really easy pc to pack) or one that will fly whatever direction it is facing? But both and all are tso'd and work, so as far as that goes your technically are safe either way. Also you have to fly the container with the pc, you cant buy a Mirage and put a vector pc, or a javelin and a racer pc. For the reserve sytem's. Either way apples orange's its all choice, they have passed the Faa regulations and all are sufficient. But Only Rws offers the skyhook.

Ray
Small and fast what every girl dreams of!

[riggerrob 643]

Like Rdutch said, they both work, but you have to be careful about mixing and matching reserve pilotchutes.
Even if a mesh-less Vector pilotchute was the best on the market, I would never install it in a Voodoo because the cap is too wide. By the same logic, a Voodoo pilotchute would work in a Vector, but it would be "fugly" because it is too tall and there is a question about its narrow base sliding and it might not launch straight up.

[skydiverek 63]

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An all fabric pilot chute like the Vector has nearly as much drag on its side as it does upright, so is less likely to hesitate than a pilot chute with mesh, which tends to deflate if it falls on its side. But the Vector pilot chute has a higher parts count and more seams, thus is more expensive to make.

Does the Vector Reserve Pilotchute fabric let the air thru, then?

[markbaur 0]

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Does the Vector Reserve Pilotchute fabric let the air thru, then?

No. If the pilot chute is on its side, the side toward the relative wind collapses up into the opposite side, creating a hemisphere.

Mark

[rgoper 0]

what does the container manufacturer reccomend? i'd be inclined to go along with their reccomendation.

--Richard--
"We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist"

[rigging65 0]

Ummm....in most cases you don't have a choice. Most Mfg. don't "recommend" a certain Res. Pilot Chute, they mandate it. There is a grey area where Master Riggers are certified to determine compatibility between components, but you'd have a hell of a time getting a Mfg. to recognize that.

The fact is, the pilot chute that comes with (or is designed for) a given rig has been tested in that container system and has passed the required tests. Why screw with it?

RWS will swear up and down that their Ballute (sp?) design is superior...the same as RI will swear that their long spring design is best... It all comes down to choices. If you really think the Res. Pilot Chute makes that much of a difference in performance, then maybe that should be a major criteria in your buying decision...but, IMO, you'd be limiting yourself unfairly.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[meatbomb 0]

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There is no doubt the Vector (Meshless) Pilot chute is better, And to prove my point there is plenty of video documenting, the difference.

I would like to stick my oar in on that. The Vector Pilot Chute is very good at terminal (which is what the video documents), but in comparison at sub-terminal (ie from cutaway) is not nearly so good. Bill has come up with a way around that, though, called a Skyhook.

For my money, the best combo I have seen is the Paratec/TSE "Powershot". It has alternate meshless and half-mesh panels, and combines good low speed drag with the benifits of the meshless Vector pilot chute at terminal.

JMTC, YMMV.

---
Swoopert, CS-Aiiiiiii!
Piccies

[skydiverek 63]

Pics of Powershot are in this post: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1563649#1563649

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