Pack a 26 Foot High Velocity Parachute
If you need to pack a 26-foot high-velocity parachute, you need to get the technique right.
Contents
Steps
Preparing the Parachute
- Place the parachute on the table.
- Connect the top end of the parachute to the table in a secure position.
- Connect the bottom (clevis) to the tensioning device.
Running the Lines
- Find lines #1 and #26 run them all the way to the end of the line.
- Grab each group of lines and run them up to canopy skirt.
- Separate both groups of lines across the table.
- Grab the top and bottom of the canopy skirt (lines 1,13 and 26, 14). These should be inside and outside lines; run the lines down to end. There should not be any tangles
Airing the Parachute
- Grab the right group of lines #14-26 with your left hand.
- Grab the left group of lines underneath your left hand with your right hand (#1-13). Flip your right hand over your left.
- Pull line 14 towards you, past the table, in your right hand. Grab number 15 with your left hand; hold both and spread them. Then flip 15/14, and keep repeating with all 26 panels.
- Using a line separator, separate the lines. Put a packing weight on the separator so it does not move.
Folding the Gores
- Grab each panel flip them to the other side making a Christmas tree.
- Check for any damage and make sure there are 13 panels on each side.
- Fold the right side to the left side 2 inches past the center.
- Fold the left side over the right side.
- Put weights on the first four panels.
- Loosen the parachute so it’s not connected to the table.
- Thread 36 inch 80-pound strength ¼-in cut cotton webbing through the bridal loop.
- Thread the right side of webbing through the right side of the deployment bag loop. Repeat on the left side.
- Tie off with surgeons knot lock. Knot cut access to 2 inches.
Packing the Parachute
- Grab apex of the parachute and shove into the bag to your right.
- Grab the next panel and shove it into the left.
- Repeat this step until there are no more panels left and the lines come out to your left.
- Cross lines over to your right.
- Feed the webbing through holes to make two fat loops in the center of a bag. Make it a backwards C.
- Pull the lines back over the ¼ inch cotton webbing.
- Tie the webbing as tight as you can with a surgeons knot lock and knot.
- Cut access down to 2 inches.
Stowing the Lines
- Grab all the lines bring them down to the bottom riggers right stowing through a rubber band.
- Cross lines over to the left side and continue the process of stowing lines until all stowstyles are complete.
- Leave 6 inches of suspension line coming out on your left.
- Grab two pieces of 18-inch cotton thread. Thread through the outside of small bag loop to insides.
- Thread through the right side of riser and back around the second loop. Tie with surgeon's knot lock and knot; repeat on the other side.
- Do not cut access.
- Take the protector flap and pull it over the stows.
- Feed the access sting and pass-through the protector flap loop. Tie with surgeon's knot lock and knot.
- Cut access to 1 to 2 inches. Repeat on the other side.
Stowing the Static Lines
- Take the static line. Grab the first knot and put it on the top of the bag.
- Put the clevis on the top of the knot.
- Store the static line on the bottom right. With the retaining band, create a 2-inch loop. Loop rubber band around static line twice.
- Repeat altering right left until all three retaining bands are full.
- Create a tag that says if the parachute is breakaway or non-bake breakaway, packed by, date, and rigger checked by.
- Attach the tag to the bottom of the bag.
- Place ¾-inch cotton webbing through the bottom two loops. Grab the clevis, pull straight, and fold it towards the parachute. Then tie and cut the string leaving two inches.
Tips
- A rigger is the person packing the parachute.
- The rigger is trained on a Surgeons knot and the bridal loop.
