Pilot Chute Construction ?

[RTB 0]

I'm trying to build a new PC, slightly smaller than my old worn one. It seem that the old one has a bigger top skin than mesh. (It goes around the corner, so to speak)
This is very hard to sow, so I don´t think I'll try that. The question is, how are they normally made? The one that I'm looking at might be out of shape.
Thanks
René

[NathanL100 0]

I have very limited knowledge on this but from what I've heard you need to make the ZP fabric (the top of the PC) as close to a perfect circle as possible so that the PC doesn't spin up the bridle or lines as it is deploying. Plus there are all sorts of other things that you must consider when making the PC like the circumference of the PC so that it isn't so small that it can't pull the closing pin, etc, etc......
Its probably easier to just spend the money and get a new one that is sized correctly for your rig.
Do you have a riggers cert.?
Blue Ones,
Nathan
A# 39553

[tlshealy 0]

Rene'
most of the PC's I've seen, or made, or repaired, the mesh and the top skin are the same size, I'm sure there are different designs out there, but I think you'd be ok going that way.
Blue Skies
Tad

[riggerrob 643]

Your old pilotchute is stretched out of shape.
The easy way to build pilotchutes is: mark and rough cut the top skin and mesh.
Sew on reinforcing tapes and handle.
Lay the mesh on top of top skin, good sides together.
Cut around the skirt with a hot knife.
Two rows of stitching around skirt.
Flip pilotchute right-side-out through hole in bottom.
Size center-line, attach bridle, etc.

[RTB 0]

Thanks guys, it is finished now, looks good. I haven't tried it yet but I will. And yes I do have a riggers cert. and doing things like this helps me learn about the equipment.
René