Retractable PC or bungee???

[AiRpollUtiOn 0]

Subject is basically the question, my pilote chute is almost ready for its final resting place, what should I order: a retractable or bungee pilote chute?
Question nr 2 behind the yellow door: what size???
I'm certainly going for ZP fabric, I have a Sabre 150 in vector II harness with BOC pocket (dunno which information is usefull in order to get an answer on my question.)
Behind the red door: how long should the bridle be?
Oooowww yeah, If it should matter, I only fly belly, get my kicks out of good RW.
Will jump for beer, bs AiRpollUtiOn

[skybytch 273]

Retractible p/c's are used by CRW jumpers. I'm thinking you really want a collapsible p/c and are choosing between kill line or bungee...
I recommend the kill line. For a 150 main, I'd suggest a 28"; although you might get slower openings on your Sabre with a slightly smaller one. Do you have a zp pilot chute now? If so, what size is it?
pull & flare,
lisa
If I can't have everything, well, then just give me a taste...

[TEB6363 0]

Yep, I think Lisa is on the ball. Go with Kill-line and skip the others (unless you do want a retractable for CReW).
I ordered mine at SQ1 and Kate said to go with 24" pilot chute for 150 and smaller canopy. I jump a 155, but went with the 24" to keep the Monarch openings a bit softer.
I would also order an extra set of soft bumpers (like the ones on your risers) and put one on the Kill-line link (french-link) where it attaches to the canopy. It keeps the attachment looking clean and if you have a metal loop on top of your main, the material could get pinched against the french-link (on the pilot chute) unless you put the bumper over it.
:::OK, Canopy is Open, No Traffic Around, .. Why are these "Extra" Lines Draping Down??, Damn!

[AiRpollUtiOn 0]

You're right, collapsible it is.
Current P/C is F111, a large one, I did get hard openings on my Sabre 170, the 150 opens ... well, let's say well below the pain barrier, will a small P/C affect the opening speed a lot?
Will jump for beer, bs AiRpollUtiOn

[AiRpollUtiOn 0]

You're right, collapsible it is.
Current P/C is F111, a large one, I did get hard openings on my Sabre 170, the 150 opens ... well, let's say well below the pain barrier, will a small P/C affect the opening speed a lot? and what about the lenght of the bridle???
Will jump for beer, bs AiRpollUtiOn

[wlie 0]

It may not be what you're looking for, but take a look at Precision's Kill-Line PC. It's got a retractable closing pin that only comes out of the bridle when it's cocked. No confusing with faded color thru the little window when getting gear checks.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I have one of those Precision PCs and I hate it.
I reckon its a freefly disaster waiting to happen.
YMMV but just my tuppence worth.
Cya
D
Gravity Rat # 37
Remember, we can do everything right, and still get hurt.

[riggerrob 643]

The problem with Precision's retractable pin is that they wear out quickly and few riggers know how to repair them.
If you go to Icarus website, you will see that they recommend a kill line pilotchute when wing loadings exceed about 1.3.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I forgot to add, I have one of those, I just don't use it, its there as a spare in the murky depths of my rigbag....Its saved the day a couple of times for my chums...
Cya
D
Gravity Rat # 37
Remember, we can do everything right, and still get hurt.

[drenaline 0]

Am kind of confused, what's the difference between the kill line, bungee and collapsible? I have seen the kill line and the bungee but I dunno what is the difference in performance, only thing I know is that they are made different.
"Life is full of danger, so why be afraid?"
drenaline

[ernokaikkonen 0]

>Am kind of confused, what's the difference between the kill line, bungee and
>collapsible? I have seen the kill line and the bungee but I dunno what is the
>difference in performance, only thing I know is that they are made different.
A "collapsible pilot chute" is a general term. Both kill-line and bungee are collapsible. The difference is _how_ they collapse the pilot chute.
A kill-line-model has a, well, a kill-line that extends from the canopy top-skin to the top of the pilot chute. After deployment the bridle moves up the kill-line collapsing the pilot-chute. Hadn't thought of that actually... Shouldn't we call it "kill-bridle"-pilot-chute? :-D
A bungee collapsible has a regular bridle, and a bungee cord extending through the pilot-chute. With sufficient airspeed, the bungee extends and the pilot-chute un-collapses(that's not a real word, is it?). So normally the pilot-chute is always collapsed.
The Pros and cons:
Kill line:
+Works in any airspeed
+After being collapsed, stays collapsed
-You have to remember to cock it while packing
Bungee:
+You don't have to do anything with it while packing. Can't forget to cock it.
- Doesn't work well in sub-terminal-speeds
- Might "catch air" during high speed canopy-maneuvres, possibly even stalling the canopy(?). As a result, can't be used with HP-canopies.
I'd go with the kill-line.
Erno

[AiRpollUtiOn 0]

Guess the kill-line it is then...
Ideas on the costs anyone?
Will jump for beer, bs AiRpollUtiOn

[AndyMan 7]

Quote

Ideas on the costs anyone?

My one year old para-gear catalog has The Monkey Fist kill line pilot chutes for $90.00 and "Retract Pilot Chute" for $95.
I'm not sure why the Monkey Fist one is cheaper. The pull handle is basically cord woven into a knot.
There are others too, and I'm not quite sure what the difference is.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
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[wlie 0]

Hey I just thought a retractable pin was cool. Kind of like a switch blade. And you can't forget to cock it.
eh huh huh huh. I said cock