ZP pilot chute question

[gravitysucks 0]

I recently bought a canopy (PD-190, F-111, 9-cell) and it came with a collapsible pilot chute. It is the smaller kind (27"? I'm not at home to pull it out and check) and is on a shorter bridle (7 or 8 ft.). I have read that most manufacturers reccomend F-111 for collapsible PCs, but also noticed that they were hard to find on most dealers websites. My question is, am I putting myself at risk and if so is it significant enough to justify getting an F-111 PC and a longer bridle? The only difference I've noticed is that deployment seems to last a little longer than I was used to on my other rig.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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I recently bought a canopy (PD-190, F-111, 9-cell) and it came with a collapsible pilot chute. It is the smaller kind (27"? I'm not at home to pull it out and check) and is on a shorter bridle (7 or 8 ft.). I have read that most manufacturers reccomend F-111 for collapsible PCs, but also noticed that they were hard to find on most dealers websites. My question is, am I putting myself at risk and if so is it significant enough to justify getting an F-111 PC and a longer bridle? The only difference I've noticed is that deployment seems to last a little longer than I was used to on my other rig.

Good observation on the deployment seeming a bit longer... using a smaller pilot chute is one way of slowing down the opening.

Anyway, you asked if you're putting yourself at "risk"... well, duh!... you're jumping out of an airplane!!! ... but serioulsy... here's my experience... I've got several hundred jumps on a PD190 out of a 94 Talon using a 24", kill-line, ZP pilot chute... worked fine... now I will caveate that by saying it is not recommended to use a 24" pilot chute on anything bigger then a 150, if I recall the small print correctly... . Right now, I've got a Sabre170 in my old rig and a Sabre-2 170 in my new rig and I've got 24", kill-line, ZP pilot chutes on both... both work fine at terminal, sub-terminal, openings are a bit slower as one would expect. The bridle length you quoted sounds about "standard"... the only folk I can think of going to longer birdles are the "bird-suit-folk", but I'm not 100% sure as I don't jump a wing-suit. Personally, I swear by Jim Cazer's ZP, kill-line, pilot chutes. If you've got a 27" kill-line ZP PC, that sounds fine... as long as those slower openings you described are not in-ordently slow... don't forget to cock you pilot chute!


Anyway, I encourage you to continue being inquisitive about your gear... talk to your local rigger, jumpmasters, experienced jumpers around the DZ, etc.

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