carbonezone 0 #1 August 21, 2003 Ok riggers I have a question for ya. I have an Eclipse (Stunts Container). 2 Years ago my rigger in texas noticed during the reserve repack inspection, my pilot chute had tiny holes in it (about 4). NOTE: NO RESERVE RIDES. The holes were not tears (no fraying). He could not figure out what the hell they came from. So, he REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. Now, 2 years later and lets say maybe 6 repacks later my rigger finds reserve pilot chute has holes once again DAMN IT!!!! NOTE: NO RESERVE RIDES. He cant figure it out either. My pilot chute is all black material no mesh. He says it looks like burns (no fraying). The only burns that I can think of would have to be chemical. WHATZ UP WITH THIS. If anyone has heard anything like this with Stunts or any other Manufacturer, please shed some light. In the mean time ----- I CANT WAIT TO GET MY JAVLIN Please share any info <> Tami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #2 August 21, 2003 Quote I CANT WAIT TO GET MY JAVLIN well, that seams like the best way to fix it but anyway, i can't think of any reason why it would do this. has you rigger checked the spring for any nicks or anthing like that (it's possible that both of the pilot chutes had them). but like you said there was no fraying, so i dought this is it. other than that, i can't think of a damn thing. have you tried calling the people who make the replacement parts (because isn't stunts out of buissness or something?). you could see if they have heard of anything like this, and may have a way to fix it. has any of the riggers at ASC ever seen this before?? has any riggers on here ever seen anything like this before?? i know i haven't. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #3 August 21, 2003 With out seeing the pilot chute one can only guess. But If it's a chemical burn it didn't come from the factory. Is the pilot chute material beeing pulled out of the coils after it's compressed? It's a rather strong heavy spring. I've seen holes from that on several occasions. [edit].. you say it has no fraying and holes from pulling the fabric out, most likely leaves a snag or 2[/edit] It's tough to say though. Any possibility of pictures? -My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #4 August 21, 2003 My guess is that it's getting caught in the springs of the p/c and getting holes put in it from metal-material-metal contact. Could also be metal-material-paddle wear that could come during packing... "...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..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carbonezone 0 #5 August 21, 2003 Nope....Mike G here at ASC has never seen this, neither has Hooknswoop my first rigger that found it. As far as snags from the spring I dont think so because the holes are perfectly round in both cases. Its just really wierd. As far as the rig itself goes. It was my first rig (4 years old), and has been good to me (close to 1000 Jumps). Except for the 2x pilot chute holes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treejumps 0 #6 August 21, 2003 Pilot chute canopies can be replaced without throwing the entire assemebly away. WOrk would need to be performed by a Master Rigger. Pretty easy to do and much cheaper than new one. Tree Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 7 #7 August 21, 2003 QuoteMy guess is that it's getting caught in the springs of the p/c and getting holes put in it from metal-material-metal contact. Could also be metal-material-paddle wear that could come during packing... As a follow on to this check the spring for rough spots or burrs. Also look for discoloration on the metal it could be a sign of acid/ corrosion contamination. And lastly check the swedges for the same. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #8 August 21, 2003 QuoteOk riggers I have a question for ya. I have an Eclipse (Stunts Container). 2 Years ago my rigger in texas noticed during the reserve repack inspection, my pilot chute had tiny holes in it (about 4). NOTE: NO RESERVE RIDES. The holes were not tears (no fraying). He could not figure out what the hell they came from. So, he REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. Now, 2 years later and lets say maybe 6 repacks later my rigger finds reserve pilot chute has holes once again DAMN IT!!!! NOTE: NO RESERVE RIDES. He cant figure it out either. My pilot chute is all black material no mesh. He says it looks like burns (no fraying). The only burns that I can think of would have to be chemical. WHATZ UP WITH THIS. If anyone has heard anything like this with Stunts or any other Manufacturer, please shed some light. In the mean time ----- I CANT WAIT TO GET MY JAVLIN Please share any info <> Tami Tami, Here's a theory and whether it fits depends on the size of the holes. I've seen this happen on round reserves that had improperly stored and an ant or ants had gotten into the reserve, died, and the acids in their bodies had eaten through 6 layers of F-111. Just a theory. Rusty Vest from PD is very smart on stuff like that, you may want to give him a call. Tim Maggot FAA Master Rigger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #9 August 22, 2003 I have seen several reserve pilotchutes damaged by the fabric getting squeezed between spring coils. The short-term fix is to install a Vector II reserve pilotchute. The long-term fix is to pack it in accordance with the Vector II manual: pulling the fabric clear of the spring and then gently folding it along the edges of the spring. As for the whole concept of poking reserve pilotchutes with a packing paddle, I gave up on that practice a decade ago after seeing too many torn pilotchutes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
