removeable slider

[Steel 0]

I have been thinking about this lately and know that others have accomplished this. But to the best of my knowledge they have not accomplished it in an effecient fashion. If anybody has any pictures of a way to make this work that would be really cool.
I know its much more common these days for people to make removeable pilot chutes. But for some reason that idea makes me very uneasy. I picture a pilot chute suddenly not working because it was not attached properly, then baglock following, and finally, worst of all, the loss of a $2000. canopy. So I think getting rid of the slider is my next goal.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[rigging65 0]

Just wondering, why? If you're not going to get rid of the p/c why worry about the slider?

Keeping in mind that these reductions are really minor compared to just learning how to fly better, the pilot chute produces drag, the slider can be stowed away with any drag being left out there. I guess you could argue the riser spread issue, but IMO the drag issue is greater than the riser spread issue.

To answer your question though, the best removable slider design I've seen was a two-ring set up on each line group with a single-hand pull-to-release (using straight pins on the end of dacron lanyards, with tight loops for the two-ring assembly). I don't have a picture of it, but it's a pretty simple design...fast and easy.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Look on the PD website and check out their removable system. It gets rid of both the slider and the bridle/bag/PC. Sonic, at The Ranch, was the first person I saw who fashioned a removable slider. The rings were a bit small though and hung up quite a bit.

Chuck

[Steel 0]

thanks Chuck I'll check it out.
"rigging65
Just wondering, why? If you're not going to get rid of the p/c why worry about the slider? "
I might get rid of the p/c and bag eventually when I feel more comfortable with the idea. Maybe after I hear that a few people have 500 jumps that way without incident. But about the drag created by the slider, its very real. I know that for a fact. Even with it fully collapsed (that is the two kill lines being pulled all the way), I still see it filled up with air behind me. Anyway less drag always makes a more pleasant landing. If you want to see this for yourself try not stowing your slider at all and you will see that your shutdown power as well as your over all swoop speed and distance with be decreased. Then if you want to see this even more try to jump a pilotchute that is not collapsible. Anyway the point is anything that could be done to eliminate drag it going to make for a better landing.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[rigging65 0]

Quote

I know that for a fact. Even with it fully collapsed (that is the two kill lines being pulled all the way), I still see it filled up with air behind me.

No offense, but do a better job stowing your slider then! If I'm worried about drag, I kill mine, the roll it up tight before I put it into it's stowed position, this keeps the edges from inflating and adding drag.

Regardless, with the amount of dirty air going past your head/shoulders/risers/arms, do you really think you're getting that much drag? The p/c is in relatively clean air (as compared to the slider), so my guess is you're seeing more drag there than with the collapsed slider in dirty air.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[crapflinger2000 1]

Split Sliders?

Fast
Allows Riser Spreading

Drawback: Noisy, but there is probably one could figure out a quick and efficient way to quiet it down...

__________________________________________________
What would Vic Mackey do?

[rigging65 0]

Quote

Split Sliders?

That's what I said the first time someone asked me about how to remove a slider in flight. I guess it's just too old of an idea for cool guys...they looked at me with crossed eyes and said "Eeewwwww"...

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[crapflinger2000 1]

Well, they have the following pros as well:

1) FAST - one zip on the string and your riser spread issues are solved

2) Probably easier to reassemble for packing than removable

3) Can modify current slider fairly easily

I bet we could bring it back into vogue if we just build a few... all the gadget geeks with less than 4 years in the sport will be like, "WHOAAAA! neato!" You can say you invented it too and they will have NO idea.

__________________________________________________
What would Vic Mackey do?

[Steel 0]

I did it and I love it.(7 times thus far) I haven't been testing speed or distance lately so I can say exactly how much that has improved, although I am pretty sure it has improved minimally. But when I simply look up and have a clear view of my canopy I just think its so kewl. I am used to leaning back and to the right to get a view of the canopy that way and then back and to the left, then front right and left. I typically like to make sure everything looks right before I dive my baby and now its much easier to do so. I just look up and its all there in plain view.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.