fcajump 164 #1 June 21, 2006 I am NOT a BASE jumper, and in light of a recent incident had a question... Background - freefall skydiver used to jumping a throw-out pc... have jumped a pull-out a couple times. For sub-terminal / low BASE jumps, would there be any advantage to placing the PC handle on the bottom of the PC (like pull-out) rather than on the apex (like throw-out)? My (limited) experience at terminal with the throw-out was that having the pc exposed to the wind apex up provided a much more positive indication that it had caught. Aside - being used to throw-out, I tried to "hold" it to full arm extension at terminal... nearly took my arm with it, and did take some skin off my hand!! At least there was no question that deployment had begun!! With sub-terminal BASE, it seems that this would be a better handle placement, but what do I know... I'm scared of heights... JimAlways remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #2 June 21, 2006 Jim, it's very unusual to have a BASE pilot chute with *any* handle on it because it is possible for it to entangle with the bridle. I know what you mean about pullouts--I have jumped 'em for many years and it is my preferred skydiving deployment system. It really isn't suited to BASE jumping, though. Among other reasons, BASE jumpers don't want the pilot chute inflating while they are still holding on to it because it could change their body position enough to have an effect on opening heading. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #3 June 21, 2006 My 46" BASE has no handles whatsoever for the reason you mentioned. My 42" has a cordura disk that is very light. My 38" has a PVC internal handle. And my 32" a PVC external. You don't see any hackey being used in BASE due to the weight and snag points. Some even use floater handles that are not attached to anything, thye are just inserted in the PC. Again to avoid a heavy apex.Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MB38 0 #4 June 21, 2006 edit: others already got to it.I really don't know what I'm talking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
980 0 #5 June 21, 2006 There’s not enough ‘wind’ sub terminal to make that feasible, especially on low stuff. Grabbing the whole pilot chute’s mass to throw it to bridle extension and throwing it to full bridle extension is your best bet if going stowed subterminal. Otherwise you are counting on the little airspeed you have to get your pilot chute to bridle extension before it will inflate and work. If you’re not going stowed the handle doesn’t matter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
