POD position in the container

[voltage 0]

I am wondering about how you stow the POD in the container and why.

From my instructors, I learned to stow the POD grommet up / line stows to the botton of container. Excess line I stow like in the picture (first down the container, then up in the middle, the rest in circles).

Some packer told me he likes "free stowing" some of the lines in a similar pattern, I think to avoid line twists, is this recommended?

Another thing would be opening out of a track, I suppose. I've been told you shouldn't do it, but I figure that wingsuit people will have at least a little bit of forward movement while opening. How would you pack the POD and excess lines then?

My question is because my new container will have dynamic corners (because I want to get into wingsuit asap) and I wonder how I will have to change my packing.

Thanks, Andi

[darkwing 5]

There is only one way, the way the rig manufacturer says. You don't want to be a test jumper. So, what does your gear mfs recommend?

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[voltage 0]

Is there really only one way? No difference in what you are doing (relative work, wingsuit)? I ask because I don't know.

The method I described above was taught by my instructor who also is production manager at the gear manufactor so I am confident it is the way it is supposed to be packed on that rig (Next) for student/RW jumps.

[jakee 1,594]

Quote

Is there really only one way? No difference in what you are doing (relative work, wingsuit)? I ask because I don't know.

Doing a search in the wingsuit forum on this topic will turn up quite a few threads. A lot of wingsuit flyers will recommend packing grommet to pin with the lines on the backpad. That way the bag rotates less as it comes out the back of the container (when opening with forward speed). Thats the theory anyway.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[riggerrob 643]

A second reminder to "pack in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."
Most manufacturers say to pack with the lines towards the bottom (BOC) and the grommet towards the reserve container.

Manufacturers have been slow to re-write manuals to reflect lessons learned by wingsuiters.
Currently only Wings (Sunrise Rigging) manul allows two different POD orientations. Large Wings must still be packed with the lines towards the BOC. However, smaller Wings can be pack that way, or with the lines towards the pack tray (top center grommet towards curved closing pin.)
Hint: on smaller Wings containers, the POD looks "square" when viewed from the side.

Packing "grommet to pin" means that the d-bag has to turn 90 fewer degrees if a wingsuiter deploys in a track. 90 fewer degrees equals fewer line twists.

[riggerrob 643]

Free-stowing lines fell out of fashion 25 years ago.

If you want the details, mjosparky will tell you a scary story.
mjosparky got lucky when part of his side flap tore off!
The other guy died.

Modern skydivers are using the wrong technique for the right reason, but there is a better way to prevent line twists.
The problem starts when one risers snags under the lower corner of the reserve container and hesitates for a second.
A decade ago, most major canopy manufacturers agreed that leaving 18 inches to 2 feet (30 cm?) was the ideal amount of slack.
This allows you lay risers and the first part of the lines STRAIGHT down the sides of the main container.
A few containers (EOS, Icon, newer Atoms, newer Sidewinders, newer Wings, etc.) have triangular "line guides" sewn to the lower corners of the reserve container to prevent lines from snagging on the lower corners.

[voltage 0]

Thanks for clearing this up. Always good to get second opinions.

[koppel 5]

I pack mine with the grommet to the BOC and the line-stows to the reserve. great for wingsuit jumps. I pack that way for all jumps now as well. I also have dynamic corners.

I like my canopy...


...it lets me down.