Freefly Tube Question...

[Kris 0]

Okay, I've decided to break down and get a freefly tube for sit jumps but I have a couple of questions:

1. I know of one vendor (Gotcha Covered) that I will probably use but does anyone know of any others?

2. What length should it be? I had always heard that the tube should be at least 5-7 feet taller than your canopy, measured from the 3-rings to the inflated top-skin, to help avoind entanglement problems with deployment. Is this true?

I jump a Stiletto 190 and that's going to be one hell of a tube. I'm figuring about a 22-25 footer but my canopy is packed up and I don't have a tape measure.

Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[Levin 0]

it's a good idea to have a tube that is longer than your line set, but it isn't imperative depending on how you deploy with it. if you deploy head high with your arm out then the tube will likely go right up the middle of your line set and bounce off the slider. i have seen this on several videos. the correct position is to get as flat as possible and hold the tube as far away from you as you can. when the canopy lifts you quickly yank your arm down. this will pull the tube out, down and away from your deploying canopy. however even with this technique the tube gets very close to the nose of the canopy. but with that same technique i have never seen an entanglement. personally i have little to no problems deploying with one on my feet but i will never deploy with one in my hand. with a hand deployment the tube is just to close to the deploying canopy and in a malfunction whats to say the tube won't fly right up in the mess if i have to chunk it. when on your feet the tube is clear of deployment. if your still interested in getting a tube i recommend calling trent at the gear store at skydive spaceland also flyvertical.com. the tubes are built great. i have about 50 jumps on mine and it still looks new. they come with a sit handle and a cut-away 2 ring release for feet mounts. good luck!

Levin
vSCR#17
vSCS#03
gRAT#40

[quade 4]

Square 1 is selling them.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[FreeflyGoat 0]

I think you should chop the tube instead of deploying with it. I have seen some nasty mals caused by it and someone did go in with one cuz they didnt want to get rid of it.

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[jumpy 0]

Quote

I think you should chop the tube instead of deploying with it. I have seen some nasty mals caused by it and someone did go in with one cuz they didnt want to get rid of it.

don't tubes cost a shitload? getting rid of the tube every time you jump with it seems like a bad idea if you don't wanna lose it...

[freeflydrew 0]

Deploying your parachute with a tube isn't really a big deal, as long as you DUMP HIGHER than normal and you're prepared to let it go if ANYTHING goes wrong (toggle fire, entanglement, line twist, etc.). It's important that when you inflate the tube (first open it in freefall) that you're clear of the airplane, and other people. When your jumping with a group, I find it works well if some leave before you and float up, and others leave after you and chase down, and the tube guy leave in the middle and inflates the tube without anyone around.
Ever flown into a tube in freefall? It's one thing to fly into it (Bam!), it's another thing to be holding it when someone flies into it (What the hell was that!!!). There's more to the tube than just deploying with it...
Maybe it's a good idea to go out with the tube, fly with it, and pass it to someone more experienced so they can deploy with it... this way you're taking each step one jump at a time...
If your tube has a good handle on it, you should be able to fly your canopy with the tube hooked onto your foot (drag from the tube keeps it there), and release it by pointing your foot to the ground around 10 to 15 feet off of the deck. Not too high, not too low. When you release it, you will surge forward a little bit (suddenly less drag).
Hope this helps a little

[Pablito 0]

I follow you comments.
I have jump with the Tube a couple of times, and it was lots of fun. In deployment I remember keeping it a far as i could forward to the left and when i felt the Risers coming out and I was sitting on the harness I placed my arm as far down and behind me possible.
Damping high is a great Idea.
Cielos Azules
Pablito

"If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first"
Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito

[Yoshi 0]

I jump my tube (home made) and it is a hand held... when flying (since it is 18 feet long and about 20 inches in diameter) it slows me down a good bit. I would definately be proficient in sit and stand especially before dumping with it.. being unstable can obviously cause a handfull of new problems. anyways...I jump a 149 crossifre at like1.3 or so and simply dump with it in my left hand extended all the way out. (takes a little to stay stable with all the drag out there) and once I dump I keep it on the left side of my canopy thru the snivel and as my canopy opens more I push it behind me. hook it on my foot and tahdah! its all done. there is a guy I jump with that did his 1st tube jump with my tube (and a 79 vx) and had line twists with the tube wrapped in them. I told him to ditch it before dumping, but fortunately he wasnt spinning or anything and was able to pull it all out and get to the ground normal after that. anyways hope this helps someway.
-yoshi

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this space for rent.

[Kris 0]

Wow! A lot of great knowledge here! Thanks for all of your help!

Kris

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™