Reflex packing help

[Jessica 0]

I may be packing a Reflex (my own) for the first time this week.

I will of course have the manual in front of me, and my rigger will be supervising, but he is not terribly familiar with Reflexes.

I'd appreciate any tips you guys might have for closing the container.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[skycat 0]

eeeekkk....running screaming....don't let Derek see this.

My only advice is be very careful with the reserve pin, for some reason they bend easier than other rigs, I know one rigger who put a temp pin in next to the pin until the pop top was snugged down, then pulled the temp pin and give it one more pop to tight everything up. That repack I never had to have my poptop resnugged down. As for the pin, mine has had to be restraitened at least once, of course I haven't jumped that rig in over a year cause Derek won't repack it....well he will, but he whines alot about it.

Fly it like you stole it!

[skygod7777 0]

just make sure you fill the molars full. and lke someone said above use a temp. pin, and the regular pin when tightening down the pop top.

later

[riggerrob 643]

Two key concepts in packing Reflex reserves:
1. it is not a wedge - like most other skydiving rigs.
2. maintain a crater for the pilotchute to sink into.

1. Unlike most other skydiving rigs, the Reflex reserve container is not a wedge, It does not taper. The top edge is almost as thick as the bottom edge/mid wall. Ergo, you start by stuffing lots of canopy fabric into the "ears"/ top part of freebag. Late in the closing process, the catapult helps bulk-out the top edge of the container. If the catapult has been removed, I cheat by putting most of the bridle under the first flap (inner top) where the catapult is supposed to go.

2. The more difficult concept is maintaining a crater for the pilotchute to sink into. If you do not have a decent carter, you can yard on the adjustable closing loop all day and never get a decent looking pack job.
The secret is never allowing loose fabric on the top side/back side of the freebag to migrate towards the loop. Once you have the first flap (inner top flap) closed over the catapult and bridle, kneel on the loop and start shoving loose freebag fabric towards the side and lower corners. As you pull the side flaps closed, use your hands to prevent this excess fabric from migrating towards the closing loop.
]
Note: the Talon 2 trick of twisting a packing paddle does not work on Reflexes.

Once you have the loop pulled through the container and secured with both the ripcord pin and a temporary pin, wiggle your fingers under the flaps and pull any loose freebag sideways and down (towards the main container) to keep it away from the closing loop.

Using a series of jerks, tighten the closing loop.
Bend the rig over the edge of a table to pull the side, top and bottom flaps away form the loop, allowing the pilotchute to seat a bit deeper.
Wander off to do the paperwork.
Come back and tighten the loop another jerk.
Get some sleep.
In the morning, tighten the loop another jerk.
Remove temporary pin, seal the rig, count tools, deliver to happy customer.

[riggermick 7]

Yeah,
that sounds about right. If the rig is CYPRES equipped you will want to "dog bone" the canopy in the free bag. This means you will want to have soft ball size sections of the pack job protruding from both lower corners of the bag either side of the safety stow. This will create a well for the CYPRES box to sit in. Believe me it will make closing the rig much easier, having packed one or two myself.

Mick Cottle.

[Jessica 0]

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...having packed one or two myself.

Hee hee.
Thanks for the help guys. This is really good stuff.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[skymedic 0]

Don't ya just love DZ.com...nothing like having "the MAN" answer your questions for ya....

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[riggermick 7]

Soooooooooooooo...............How did it go?????
Mick.

[billvon 3,096]

Some other tips:

-In mine, it's important to not stuff too much material in the tops of the molar bag, or the PC will not seat well. Make sure to form the PC divot in the molar bag before closing.

-Have two or three cypres closing loop type pullup cords available; at least one should have a fingertrapped loop on the end.

-Remember the sharp tugs to tighten instead of the steady pull. A rigger once used a positive leverage device on mine and bent the pin a bit.

[Jessica 0]

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Soooooooooooooo...............How did it go?????

I'm still waiting to hear from my rigger if he has time to work with me. If I do it this week, it'll probably be Thursday.

I'll post a full report.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[DivaSkyChick 0]

Hey Mick,

I understand that the catapault system you designed will work well with skysurfing. Not sure I understand why tho. I'm jumping with a board tomorrow for the first time and would love to hear more about this - even if it's just rumour!

Thanks,

Mandy

---
www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch

[riggermick 7]

If you are unstable, cannot ditch the board and need to deploy your reserve the Catapult could help you out. If your reserve pilot chute should become entangled with the board the Catapult would take over the deployment sequence. To date there have been five saves that I know about (not with sky boards though). Hope this helps.
Mick.

[Hooknswoop 19]

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If you are unstable, cannot ditch the board and need to deploy your reserve............

My concern would be one PC going on one side of the board, and the other PC going on the other side of the board, then they fight each other.

Hook

[riggermick 7]

Quote

Quote

If you are unstable, cannot ditch the board and need to deploy your reserve............

My concern would be one PC going on one side of the board, and the other PC going on the other side of the board, then they fight each other.

Hook

That was what all of the Catapults' detractors said. Well it has never happened even after thousands of deployments some stable some not so stable. As I stated before it has five saves so far. Mechanically the pilot chutes produce different amounts of drag. As long as there is a direct line between the Catapult and the free bag, the drag on the assembly will start the deployment sequence. Although remember that nothing is guaranteed in this sport (except for landing)so there will always be people on either side of the issue.

Mick.