Skyhook Test jump in Byron

[hookitt 1]

I posted this in Gear and Rigging as well.
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The rig is great. The fact that you can cutaway in the usual method is fantastic. I love intentional breakaways so I was like a kid in a candy store.

The rig arrived packed up and ready to go. It was previously jumped and packed at another DZ.

I'll cut to the chase. At 2 grand I stalled the heck out of the canopy then let go of the right toggle inducing a nice back spin then cutaway with no attempt to arch or turn face to earth.

It was very apparent the skyhook didn't do it's job. It was a plain ole ordinary unstable RSL deployed reserve.

What went wrong:
A lanyard hooks around the hook portion of the skyhook. A turn of seal thread is used to tack the Lanyard to the bridle. That thread was tacked on to the lanyard but missed the Bridle rendering the Skyhook non-functional.

I've now tested an unstable RSL deployment and am very happy with the results from it. I do know why camera men don't use RSL's now though.

The SkyHook is not infallible. The idea is great but had this been a real super low cutaway it would not have saved the user.

There is bound to be another method of securing the skyhook in place. I packed it back up and correctly tacked the lanyard with one turn of seal thread, but unfortunately the rig wasn't jumped again. I liked the Idea but didn't like the fact that it failed due to piece of seal thread.

Click here for the picture (edit... Photo by Deuce)

I should be under an inflating reserve at this point had the hook not come undone. It was fun but very disappointing.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[Deuce 1]

Thanks very much for having me along. It was really neat and educational.

Here's the next two photos in the series. (TIMMEH!'s reserve opened in line twists.)

These are cropped really hard because I had a tough time staying close as our wing loadings were way different.

[Casie 0]

I got to see this on video & demostrated @ the AOT Boogie @ Aggieland last weekend. It was a blast watching it! I can't believe how short of a distance you actually go & viola...presto, you're under canopy again!

I'm glad you're ok!

~Porn Kitty
WARNING: Goldschlager causes extreme emotional outbursts!

[hookitt 1]

I've seen lots of video and pictures. When it works it's great!

The rig is fantastic. I felt very confident in the system. The reserve is releaseable and the second reserve is right there under your nose. Just remember to look away as soon as you grab the belly reserve handle so you don't punch yourself in the nose when you pull it. It was also cypres equipped for further back up.

Again though.

One turn of seal thread was all that stood between it working and not working. You can see by the sequence it was pretty quick but A real cutaway at 200 feet would have been much less than desireable.

There was only one line twist and It was flying straight very soon after. The PD 176 reserve swooped quite nicely I might add.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[riddler 0]

Nice test H, with interesting results. I assume the rig was a Vector Micron? Did you contact the previous packer about the seal thread?

Hard to believe that little red string can make that much of a difference ...

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[hookitt 1]

It was a Vector 3 not a Micron.

Then harness was a Tandem Harness so it's very adjustable. The reserve container is a Vector 3 reserve container, set up to clip on the front.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[flymysky 0]

I did an intentional cutaway on the same system last thursday and had a similar deployment (without the twist). I don't know for sure if the thread had been attached prior to my jump but I'm sure it was for yours Tim, I watched it get packed although I didn't look to see if it had gone through the bridle. I'm interested to see another way of keeping the skyhook attached since this way isn't reliable.
I should also be under an inflating reserve in this pic. RSL deployment from a cutaway at 1500' was not what I had planned but it was a clean deployment and lots of fun. If you get the chance to try it, go for it.

My candle burns at both ends It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - It gives a lovely light.
http://www.galaxygear.com.au/

[hookitt 1]

It did not go through the bridle. It was still intact

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[jsaxton 0]

Do you have any pictures that show the rigging?