Can you use a reserve as a main canopy?

[Honeybee 0]

Could I use a reserve parachute for a main and vice versa?

why and/or why not?

[livendive 8]

Quote

Could I use a reserve parachute for a main and vice versa?

why and/or why not?

DZ.commer D22369 can probably offer some insight on this subject.

There are a few canopies out there that have been sold as mains and also TSOd as reserves, but personally, I don't see the point. Main parachutes and reserve parachutes are largely designed for different purposes, and one can easily find safe variants for either.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[JohnMitchell 16]

Some reserves don't have a bridle attachment point. You'll spend a lot of time chasing down your d-bag.

Long time ago, mains and reserves were very similar to identical in materials, cut, and flying. Wasn't a big deal either way. Now the mains fly much nicer. You can use a reserve canopy as a main, would be very reliable, but wouldn't fly as nicely.

[shropshire 0]

I recently jumped a PD reserve as a main. It was one of a set that PD were sending around DZs for demo purposes. Well worth trying out too.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[kimemerson 7]

I THINK that legally you could jump a bed sheet as a main. The legal (TSO) bit applies to the reserve and harness. So, sure you could jump a reserve as main. But, as others have said, each canopy has different purposes and different characteristics - such as the flight and flare - so you'd have to weigh your reasons for doing so and how to accommodate for the differences (i.e. bridle attachment). Many people test jump reserves connected and deployed as a main. But that's just for testing, usually when they are considering what to buy, but rarely (I've never seen it) as a primary main canopy.

[b1jercat 0]

Thats a good question for the gear and rigging forums, BTW stay in the sport long enough and your reserve will be your main sooner or later.

blues

jerry

[kaerodyne 0]

HoneyBee

Most if not all manufacturers have Reserves that can be used as Mains for the purpose of demo. They have a bridle attachment point sown onto them, to allow for the main d-bag and pilot chute to be attached.

We at Aerodyne have most of the popular Smart Reserve Sizes available for Demo, and I take them with me to all the events that I attend, they are not as popular as any of the mains when it comes to being demo'd, but they are available.

Hope that helps.

Karl Meyer
Sales Representative
Aerodyne Research
Office: 1 813 891 6300
www.flyaerodyne.com

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Here is a great place to check.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.