New Stiletto - simple question.

[AndyMan 7]

On PD Canopies, does the pilot chute attach to the ring, or the fabric taping that makes up the pilot chute attachment point.
On Aerodyne, you just attach to the ring. On the PD, it looks like I'm suposed to attach to the fabric taping. Is this correct?
_Am

[billvon 3,108]

My rule of thumb - never attach metal to metal. If you are using a Rapide link to connect to the bridle attach, connect to fabric. If you just have a loop at the end of your bridle, it can be looped through the ring. If you attach a link to the ring, it will work ok, but the metal will wear more quickly, and there's a greater chance of canopy damage from getting pinched between the two pieces of metal.
-bill von

[AndyMan 7]

Thanks. Simple answer to a simple question.
Here's another.
HOW THE HELL AM I SUPOSED TO PACK THIS THING?
Seriously, I'm getting frustrated. I guess I've been spoiled with Aerodyne fabric, but I just can not get S-folds set. Any tricks for packing new PD?

[PhreeZone 20]

Patience and slow gentle movements. Plan out a few steps exactly where the material will be, where you are going to grab stuff like that. And GENTLE but firm pressue with the knees.
I want to touch the sky, I want to fly so high ~ Sonique

[Jimbo 0]

You can always try psycho packing it. It makes getting that slippery beast in the bag a whole lot easier. Alternatively, you could pay a packer for the first 50 jumps or so - depends on how lazy you are.
-
Jim

[skybytch 273]

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you could pay a packer for the first 50 jumps or so - depends on how lazy you are.

Ummm.... isn't that why god invented $5 bills?
pull and flare,
lisa
--
What would Scooby Doo?

[AndyMan 7]

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you could pay a packer for the first 50 jumps or so - depends on how lazy you are.

Quote

Ummm.... isn't that why god invented $5 bills?

OK, I give up. Packers it is.
_Am

[Kris 0]

Andy,
I bought my Stiletto 190 brand new and I am putting it in a Mirage G3 M4 which is designed to hold a 170 tight. Big, new, slippery canopy and a tiny D-bag. No problem.
So, wanna' know the secret? Psycho-pack it. I can get it in the bag in under 5 minutes and without swearing. My Stiletto loves it and gives me great openings that are never more than 15-30 degrees off heading.
Just another option to consider.
Kris

[AndyMan 7]

I thought you neede a birdle extension for a proper psycho pack? Does the Stiletto open on heading without one?
_Am

[AndyMan 7]

Well, it's psycho packed. Got it on the 3rd try. Joy. Practice, Practice, Practice, as my old piano teacher used to say.
Thankfully, will not jump this pack job. At least I don't have to take it to my rigger trash-packed. This is gonna be a slow or expensive spring... :P
_Am

[Kirils 1]

The bridle extension really has little to do with "on-heading"
openings. The extension reduces shear forces on the canopy attachment. I know a number of people with hundreds of psycho jumps that didn't bother with using an extension. I personally use one, having decided to do all I can to preserve canopy integrity.
Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability...

[airdrew20012001 0]

No worries. I just put a brand spanky new Stilletto 135 in a javelin tjn last night. It is the largest canopy that is rated to fir in the rig and I got it in on the second try. The key to packing new zp is all in being super patient. I had a new sabre in the late 90's and the stilletto is a cake walk comparatively speaking. As other respondents mentioned, it can be done. Have a packer or rigger slowely walk you through it then practice practice practice. I have a ton of pack jobs on more used zp so I will be practicing in my living room with tunes on in preperation for my trip to Eloy next weekend.
My view is that packers are great for busy days, if you are just not in the mood, too sore, or competing and have a backup rig. I learned through trial and error. Pschyo packing works good too, some say just as good as pro packing, I have had mixed results but have gone to s-folding everything with great results. Where do you jump?
Yeah it sucks, yeah we all went through it. You will be fine, zp is whole new ballgame and takes some time and patience.

[174fps 1]

Here's how I packed my new zp canopy for the first 100.
pro pack normally , lay down canopy, put knees on canopy
where slider is, to hold lines, Squeeze out air, form cigar roll.
then put both hands underneath, one at top one in middle.
quickly pull canopy up to chest. roll canopy from top, gently
pulling bridle to edge of roll as you do.
push roll in bag, fold portion with lines into bag.
Worked for me.
Andrew