cutaway cable lengths

[dubbayab 0]

I need some feed back on this subject. When pulled to extension the right cable will release before the left. The left cable is slightly longer to accommodate an RSL setup(I have been told). My rig doesn't have an RSL an I want to know if there is any harm in cutting the cable so the length is equal to the right when pulled to extension. This is on a newer rig with all original pieces. I appreciate your inputs on this subject.WB

[skydiver30960 0]

My shoot-from-the-hip suggestion on this one is not to mess with it. Even if you don't have an RSL installed, the extra length on that one side really won't make a difference when it comes time for you to cut away: it's only a couple inches and you're pulling that handle so fast (thank you adrenal glands) that it's gone in no time. PLUS, I would consider the cutaway handle to be part of the reserve system, therefore a part of the TSO on your rig, and therefore something you should definitely NOT modify.

Drop a dime to the manufacturer, but I have a gut feeling what their answer will be.

Blues;

Elvisio

[masterrig 1]

I would have to agree. The cable lengths are set by the manufacturer of the harness-container. Unless, the release handle has been replaced or it is a 'previously owned' rig and the cable lengths were 'adjusted', the cable lengths should be correct. You might check in your harness-container owner's manual or, as earlier suggested, call the manufacturer. As also mentioned, in an emergency situation, that 1" - 1-1/2" won't make a difference... RSL or Not.

Hope, this helps.

Chuck

[rigging65 0]

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PLUS, I would consider the cutaway handle to be part of the reserve system, therefore a part of the TSO on your rig, and therefore something you should definitely NOT modify.

FWIW - the cutaway handle IS NOT part of the reserve system and DOES NOT fall under TSO. As far as the FAA is concerned, you don't need to cutaway to put out your reserve.

With all that said, I'd leave the cables as they are. It's not going to make a damn bit of difference during a cutaway, and if you every put the RSL on (another subject entirely) you won't need to trim up down the cable...

"...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..."

[dubbayab 0]

Thank you all for your input, however what if I changed this slightly with a scenario. What about a high speed mal, where the canopy is spinning faster that the jumper, twist up in the risers and all the jumper can achieve is a SLOW, steady pull on the cutaway with both hands, do you think this could lead to a possible worst case, when the right releases before the left. I don't know, what do you think? thank you... WB

[NightJumper 0]

The simple solution is call the manufacture. I can tell you that all of our containers including tandems are cut 7" from the eye on both sides with or without an RSL.

[dubbayab 0]

Thanks, I'll call them.

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[cruzlite 0]

I would advise consulting your rigger...

I believe they have a tool to cut these cables,
(if so advised), which will leave the ends smooth.
Lu7k,
D

[faulknerwn 38]

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Thank you all for your input, however what if I changed this slightly with a scenario. What about a high speed mal, where the canopy is spinning faster that the jumper, twist up in the risers and all the jumper can achieve is a SLOW, steady pull on the cutaway with both hands, do you think this could lead to a possible worst case, when the right releases before the left. I don't know, what do you think? thank you... WB

Actually this happened to me on my last cutaway. In previous cases, I'd never noticed one riser releasing before the other on any of my cutaways. In this particular cutaway, I ended up using both hand to chop because the risers were twisted up nicely and I was spinning rapidly on my back. I yanked, and my right riser released and I was hanging by my left, and another quick yank got me free.

But in that scenerio - I actually liked it! Normally in spinning mals you go spinning off out of control on your back. If you're low, you just gotta dump your reserve like that. In this case, when one riser released first I was now under a streamer going straight down, and releasing the second had me instantly back belly to earth.

I make no pretenses that this would always happen, but I didn't mind going back into freefall stable rather than spinning out of control on my back.

W

[riggerrob 643]

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Thank you all for your input, however what if I changed this slightly with a scenario. What about a high speed mal, where the canopy is spinning faster that the jumper, twist up in the risers and all the jumper can achieve is a SLOW, steady pull on the cutaway with both hands, do you think this could lead to a possible worst case, when the right releases before the left. I don't know, what do you think? thank you... WB

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I think you should buy a pair of metal inserts for your main risers. Those little flexible tubes will prevent your risers from wrapping too tightly around your cutaway cables, preventing hard pulls on your cutaway handle.

[rigging65 0]

And what happens in this scenario if one riser were to release prematurely? If you're talking about an inch or so, it's probably not going to matter too much...

"...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..."

[dubbayab 0]

What about when the risers are so tight, twisted that the metal inserts kink and prevent a cable extraction? It is what I've heard from riggers.

[riggerrob 643]

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What about when the risers are so tight, twisted that the metal inserts kink and prevent a cable extraction? It is what I've heard from riggers.

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That's a new one!
If your risers twist enough to distort the metal housings, you will be in so much pain that cutting away will be the least of your problems!
That bad a case of line twists would kill you before it kinked the metal housings.

[rigging65 0]

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What about when the risers are so tight, twisted that the metal inserts kink and prevent a cable extraction? It is what I've heard from riggers.

Generally that sort of problem is associated with plastic inserts more so that metal ones; a-la Javelin style.

"...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..."

[dubbayab 0]

Thanks for clearing that up rigging65, I was unaware of plastic inserts....

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