Spectre end cell closure?

[JordanCraft7 0]

I recently bought my rig on here and today was the first time I jumped it. It is a spectre 190 with a wing loading of 1.1.

Anyways, on my first jump on it I had some pretty knarly end cell closure on the left side. I figured it might have been the pack job and/or the canopy so I asked my packer (yes, I use a packer, i haven't learned yet, its pathetic) to have a look. He didn't notice anything wrong and simply attributed it to a beefed packing job. Next jump did the same thing.

Body position was as good and as normal as always. Opening seemed normal until the end cells should have inflated. The right one did but not the left. The canopy made a quick 180. This was when I actually realized the left end cell had never inflated. The spin was fast but not extreme by any means. I checked my breaks and both were still stowed so I released them and went to 3/4 brakes which inflated the cell and every thing was fine. Pulled at 4500 and was full flight and on heading at 3200 so no real problems just slightly concerned

I have heard that the new sabre2's have had problems with this but haven't heard anything about the spectres. Do you all have any suggestions/ideas on what could be happening?

thanks

[VTmotoMike08 0]

Some canopies have end cell closures sometimes. Its not really a problem, more of an opening characteristic that is more common on canopies known for slow snivelely (sp?) openings. Just realize that it may happen and be prepared to pump the breaks, like you did.

Is it a new canopy? If it is used, how many jumps on it? If it is constantly turning to the same side on opening, it may be out of trim. Ask a rigger to check it.

[in2jumping 0]

Quote

I recently bought my rig on here and today was the first time I jumped it. It is a spectre 190 with a wing loading of 1.1.

Anyways, on my first jump on it I had some pretty knarly end cell closure on the left side. I figured it might have been the pack job and/or the canopy so I asked my packer (yes, I use a packer, i haven't learned yet, its pathetic) to have a look. He didn't notice anything wrong and simply attributed it to a beefed packing job. Next jump did the same thing.

Body position was as good and as normal as always. Opening seemed normal until the end cells should have inflated. The right one did but not the left. The canopy made a quick 180. This was when I actually realized the left end cell had never inflated. The spin was fast but not extreme by any means. I checked my breaks and both were still stowed so I released them and went to 3/4 brakes which inflated the cell and every thing was fine. Pulled at 4500 and was full flight and on heading at 3200 so no real problems just slightly concerned

I have heard that the new sabre2's have had problems with this but haven't heard anything about the spectres. Do you all have any suggestions/ideas on what could be happening?

thanks

Quite normal to have end cell closure on soft opening canopies. You should be able to catch it right after/on opening with the rear risers, correct any heading changing you have from it and pump the rear risers to get the end cell to inflate.

[councilman24 37]

This kind of opening isn't uncommon. Usually it doesn't turn too fast. This is the kind of thing that you should be ready for at opening. This is part of the necessary attention needed at opening which includes looking for traffic and conflict caused by poor separation and/or off heading openings.

I had an original Sabre that used to open in a spin every jump. End cells were open but it would spin until I released the brakes. PD had it for several weeks trying to fix it. Their work helped some but it still did the same thing. PD replaced it at a very fair prorated cost. Moral of the story? Canopies can be lemons and no matter what you do they may never get better. Not that this applies to yours.

Have an experienced rigger check the canopy trim and construction. If it continues no matter what talk to PD.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerrob 643]

While checking the line trim, pay particular attention to the difference across the "A" lines.

For example, when SET-400 tandem canopies get more than four inches difference across the A lines, they suffer "the end cell closures from hell!" Sometimes as much as third of the canopy folds under!
The solution is simple: replace all the lines.

[jee 0]

Quite normal to have end cell closure on soft opening canopies. You should be able to catch it right after/on opening with the rear risers, correct any heading changing you have from it and pump the rear risers to get the end cell to inflate.

Don't pump the rear risers. Just hold them down steady until the end cell opens up. Keep an eye out for other traffic at the same time. Then release your toggles and proceed as normal. This in fact was normal procedure on my Safire 1 for each and every jump.