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Morne

Mistake on the website ?

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The definition of the intentional breakaway.

http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/ss/Parachute_4.htm

In 1890, Paul Letteman and Kathchen Paulus invented the method of folding or packing the parachute in a knapsack to be worn on the back before its release. Kathchen Paulus was also behind the invention of the intentional breakaway, which is when one small parachute opens first and pulls open the main parachute.

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I have seen some very very old footage of a "flying circus" sort of performance where the rig has several parachutes. Only the last one was a full size parachute, the others were much smaller.

The performer deployed the first small parachute. He cut it away, and it static-lined the next parachute out. At least, that's how I recall it looking. It went on like that, chopping each small parachute, until he got to the full size parachute that he landed.

I think that this is the sort of thing to which the description you posted refers.

Back in 1890, my guess is that it would have been done from a balloon.

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The skydiving show scene in The Gypsy Moths features the multiple deployment/breakaway stunt. IIRC there were six standard parachutes - unmodified rounds, perhaps 24'.
"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

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The skydiving show scene in The Gypsy Moths features the multiple deployment/breakaway stunt. IIRC there were six standard parachutes - unmodified rounds, perhaps 24'.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0aDHD39I3k


I actually got to put that rig on years ago...didn't jump it, I'm not THAT crazy! :ph34r:










~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

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Kathchen Paulus was also behind the invention of the intentional breakaway, which is when one small parachute opens first and pulls open the main parachute.



Even if that history is correct, that still makes this a poor definition. It should be explained that what was called an intentional breakaway then is what is now called a pilot chute deployment. And then go on to give a modern definition for an intentional cutaway, which is something quite different from that original text.

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You should ask Bill Booth; he's the only person in the English-speaking word who uses the term.



there is a whole video entitled "breakaway" so he is not hte only one :S that term makes more sense than "cutaway" anyways
Look out for the freefly team, Smelly Peppers. Once we get a couple years more experience we will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future! BLUES!

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Kathchen Paulus was also behind the invention of the intentional breakaway, which is when one small parachute opens first and pulls open the main parachute.



Even if that history is correct, that still makes this a poor definition. It should be explained that what was called an intentional breakaway then is what is now called a pilot chute deployment. And then go on to give a modern definition for an intentional cutaway, which is something quite different from that original text.


Yip thats the point :)

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