What speed is considered a "terminal" deployment?

[cvfd1399 0]

I was reading the classifieds and had this question. Regarding reserves what is considered a terminal reserve ride. I could see that some people think a total with reserve deployment means a terminal ride. A baglocked main with reserve deployment you are still hauling ass, and someone may call this a low speed deployment, and it is not.

[sammer 0]

I always assumed that if you're not cutting away a fully deployed main and immediately deploying the reserve, then it's a terminal opening. If someone is advertising a deployment during a baglock as a sub-terminal, then they're full of shit.

I have wondered how much difference it would make if they were cutting away a X-brace that was spinning hard though.

[skydiverek 63]

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I have wondered how much difference it would make if they were cutting away a X-brace that was spinning hard though.

Not much. Lugi Cani reached freefall speeds when spiraling his canopy. His wing loading was 4 lbs/sq foot, but still...

[darkwing 5]

My generic response would be dictated by the speed of the malfunction. Of course there will be a gray area in any definition, but 95% of the time a low speed malfunction will result in a low speed deployment of the reserve. A high speed malfunction would result in me calling it a terminal deployment of the reserve. Also, if a person delayed a few seconds after cutting away I'd call it a terminal deployment.

It is a fine point anyway, a competent examination of the canopy would tell you if it was stressed by a deployment. If not, then no worries.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[riggerrob 643]

A baglocked main with reserve deployment you are still hauling ass, and someone may call this a low speed deployment, and it is not.

[riggermick 7]

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I was reading the classifieds and had this question. Regarding reserves what is considered a terminal reserve ride. I could see that some people think a total with reserve deployment means a terminal ride. A baglocked main with reserve deployment you are still hauling ass, and someone may call this a low speed deployment, and it is not.

Ok here it is, as previously noted this is highly subjective very much like what constitutes beautiful. Officially the TSO C23(d) standards and practices document the SAE AS9015 (b) states:

4.3.6.2-After a breakaway vertical velocity must be less than 20'/ sec with an activation with in 2 sec of the breakaway (waaaay less than terminal). The canopy must be "functionally open" within 3 sec + (if needed) 2 more sec giving a total of 5 seconds as the worst case scenario (still pretty darn quick).

All other drops (and openings) 3.4.6- requires a canopy "functionally open" within three seconds of pack opening (regardless of speed)

Additionally: 4.3.9 requires 2 drops of @ least 20 sec (that would be the official standard for a terminal velocity deployment on a reserve canopy) with the canopy "functionally open" within 3 sec.

All that being said, a 10 second delay from a chop would still qualify in most peoples minds as a terminal deployment.


Like I said earlier it's somewhat subjective.

Hope this helps rather than hinders.

Mick.

PS: I was the first person to go through the TSO C23(d)process with a harness/ container system, so I have a little insight as to the "subtle neuoncies" (sp) of the whole process).