Can i fit PD Slinks to any canopy?

[Newbie 0]

Well not me, but my rigger i mean? I have a TSE Superfly and Hornet main - can PD Slinks be fitted to any canopy/riser combination?

Thanks

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[Amazon 7]

I have PD Slinks on my Samurai and PD Reserve Slinks on my PD reserve.

I also have them on my Axon....and have had them on a PISA Conquest, a Triathalon and on a Hornet.

[Newbie 0]

Cheers!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[BMFin 0]

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can PD Slinks be fitted to any canopy/riser combination?

I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

[Newbie 0]

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can PD Slinks be fitted to any canopy/riser combination?

I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

It's for my main - would that be ok?

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[BMFin 0]

Yes

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[Newbie 0]

Cheers!

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[RMURRAY 1]

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can PD Slinks be fitted to any canopy/riser combination?

I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

not true.

[rushmc 23]

PD Reserve Slinks (Tandem main Slinks) are allowed on reserves other than PD's IF.......Approved by the reserve manufacturer and I suggest getting the approval of the container Man too.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[nicknitro71 0]

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I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

Not true, I heard this straight from the FAA after having some doubt on my own!

As riggers, we are allowed to miss-match approved components using our own judgment.

Of course though, it's always a good idea to get the manufacturer's blessing

Memento Audere Semper

903

[YISkyDive 0]

I hope this is not out of place but why are slinks better than hard links?

I heard they are stronger- but I just never got 'how or why they work'

Im guessing they have less wear on the bottom of the riser?

Thanks for anyinfo.

Dave

[jumper03 0]

For one, they are stronger.

Another reason I favor them is that if a metal link breaks, it may hold until you turn onto final then give way. If a slink ever breaks, you know it right away.

They weigh less and contribute less to pack volume than metal links.

But far away - they are stronger.

Scars remind us that the past is real

[sundevil777 102]

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I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

As mentioned before, riggers are specifically allowed by the FAA to determine compatibility of components. Even if the PD reserve was TSO'd with slinks, and other reserves were not, PD does not try to tell you that only a certain mfg, size, and material of metal link is allowed to be used - it is up to the rigger to determine compatibility, and PD slinks are approved for use on reserves.

The only thing that I was slightly concerned with is, what if a rigger in the future refuses to repack a rig because he wants to comply with PD's 'advise' to only use them with their reserves? That would be a big hassle, but I think not at all likely to happen. This is an old thread on that topic:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=409201#409201

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[YISkyDive 0]

thanks man- appreciate it

[golowjoe 0]

Some reserves are not tso'd or approved with slinks . We all know they are stronger but if something was to go wrong you will be thrown under the bus by the manufacturer . Be careful .

[mr2mk1g 10]

There are a couple of posts above me re PD reserve slinks on non PD reserves. Those nicely cover the position within the USA. The position may well be different in other jurisdictions however.

I have been told in the past by Apples (chairman of BPA riggers committee) that in the UK a rigger cannot mix and match PD reserve slinks and non PD reserves.

Now of course I cannot myself vouch for the accuracy of that advice but it was what he told me and I kinda hope he of all people would know what he's on about. To be sure for certain I'd try to find out first hand from someone in the UK. Remember, we don't care what the FAA says; only what the CAA says.

[mark 107]

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I have been told in the past by Apples (chairman of BPA riggers committee) that in the UK a rigger cannot mix and match PD reserve slinks and non PD reserves.

Before PD reserves shipped standard with Slinks, they shipped with Rapide links. Would it be okay to use those Rapide links with a non-PD reserve? Why or why not?

In the US, most riggers would feel comfortable using Rapide links supplied by any parachute industry manufacturer, including manufacturers other than those who made the particular reserve or harness/container.

Further, it is extremely difficult to counterfeit Slinks, but easy to find unairworthy Rapides at the hardware store. Aren't we better served by installing a part we can tell at a glance is TSO'd?

Mark

[mr2mk1g 10]

I must correct myself as I have miss-typed which subtly affects the meaning of what I was trying to pass on. I recall being told that a rigger may not put non PD reserve slinks with a PD reserve (rather than the other way round as I post above).

As I said though - I cannot personally vouch for the accuracy of the advice I was given; I'm just passing on what I was told and cautioning British jumpers to check with someone in the UK as our riggers do not operate under the FAA rules cited above but rather CAA rules which may or may not be entirely different.

[RMURRAY 1]

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can PD Slinks be fitted to any canopy/riser combination?

I think you cannot use Slinks in other reserves than PD.

not true.

I use Reserve Slinks on my Raven -M but got written approval from PA first.

rm

[riggerrob 643]

Before PD reserves shipped standard with Slinks, they shipped with Rapide links. Would it be okay to use those Rapide links with a non-PD reserve?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

No, because PD reserves used to ship with #4 stainless steel Maillon Rapide links, whereas most other reserve manufacturers use #5 or #6 Rapide links.
Best to use the links supplied by the reserve manufacturer. For example: Aerodyne, Parachutes de France, Performance Designs and Precision all make their own versions of soft re-usable links.
Wings and Talon said that it was okay to install PD Slinks in their containers.
For a while, Precision said that it was okay to install PD Slinks on Ravens, but then Precision introduced their own version of soft links. I think Precision's soft links were part of the TSO testing process for R-Max reserves.
Aerodyne even obtained a separate TSO for their soft links. Aerodyne insists that you can install their soft links anywhere 3,000 pound links are specified.
Hint: most of the old military links are certified to 3,000 pounds.

Hi-Per and Flight Concepts also make re-usable soft links, but last thing I heard, their links were only approved for main canopies.

[Zoter 0]

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I'm just passing on what I was told and cautioning British jumpers to check with someone in the UK as our riggers do not operate under the FAA rules cited above but rather CAA rules which may or may not be entirely different.

Fair enough.......but if a UK rigger 'didnt know' and did it......who is going to know? or is that another flightline question to ask....
I'd rather read about 'why' its not allowed as opposed to get wrangled in the legality of CAA vs FAA regs.
Anybody care to share?