United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Technology & Development Program 5700 Aviation June 1998 9857-2817-MTDC Revised June 1998 Packing Instructions FS-14 Parachute Pat Wilson Project Leader Dave Pierce Smokejumper Equipment Specialist USDA Forest Service Technology & Development Program Missoula, Montana 0E02P27 Smokejumper Parachute Evaluation 1
ontents Layout 3 Flaking, Dressing, and Folding the Canopy 6 Stowing the Canopy in the Deployment Bag 10 Stowing the Suspension Lines 12 Tying the Connector Links 14 Closing the Pack Tray 16 This document replaces Packing Instructions: Model FS-14 Parachute (9657-2828-MTDC, May 1996). Previous versions should be destroyed. This document reflects packing changes required by installation of a steering system that uses a new packing sequence. This document and any future revisions can be accessed on the Missoula Technology and Development Center s FSWeb home page (fsweb.mtdc.fs.fed.us). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, and so forth) should phone USDA s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2
ayout The Model FS-14 canopy is used with pack tray, USAF DWG. 52E6269; deployment bag, Natick DWG. 11-1-2595, rev. G; and risers and crossconnector strap, USFS DWG. MTDC 926. The FS-14 parachute is shown on USFS DWG. MTDC 922. These packing instructions apply to all three FS-14 canopy sizes (small, medium, and large). Note: All directions (right, left, top, bottom) are taken from the position of a jumper wearing the parachute, lying face down with the jumper s head toward the canopy. ➊ Place the canopy on the packing table with the stamped gore between lines 1 and 28 on top (Figure 1). ➋ Attach the risers to the tension device. Make this attachment using the capewells not the connector links. This helps prevent control line misroutes. ➌ Use a standard four-line check to ensure that the suspension lines are clear. In the proper layout, suspension lines 14 and 15 run to the inside bottom connector links; suspension lines 1 and 28 run to the inside top connector links (Figure 2). Figure 1 Locating the stamped gore. 3
Layout ➍ Check that the control lines are clear. Starting at the risers, divide the canopy into quarters by lifting the line groups attached to the left and right rear risers. Visually check that the control lines and their cascades run free and clear from the attachment points inside the canopy to the skirt (Figure 3). Then, check that the control lines are Figure 2 Completing the four-line check. Figure 3 Making the control-line check. 4
Layout free and clear of suspension lines down to the guide rings on the risers (Figure 4). ➎ Before flaking the canopy gores, clear the apex vent lines, center the bridle loop, and even the vent band (Figure 5). Figure 4 Continuing the control-line check. Figure 5 Dressing the apex. 5
laking, Dressing, and Folding the Canopy ➊ Starting with gore 15, flake the canopy gores using standard flaking procedures (Figure 6). When the first extended gore is encountered, pull the slack from the right lower control line toward the canopy and place the forward control line between lines 21 and 22. When the second extended gore is encountered, pull the slack from the lower control line toward the canopy, and place the rear control line on that side between lines 23 and 24. On the other side of the canopy, repeat the process of pulling slack from control lines toward the canopy. When the first extended gore is encountered, place the left rear control line between lines 4 and 5. When the second extended gore is encountered, place the forward left control line between lines 6 and 7. Let the upper control lines position themselves naturally inside their respective extended gores. Complete flaking by splitting the last gore so that gore 13 is on the right and gore 14 is on the left. ➋ When flaking is complete, place the canopy on the table with 14 gores on each side (Figure 7). The gore between suspension lines 1 Figure 6 Flaking the canopy. Figure 7 Positioning the canopy. 6
Flaking, Dressing, and Folding the Canopy and 28 is on the top gore of the left group and the gore between suspension lines 14 and 15 is on the bottom of the right group. ➌ Dress the excess material (Figure 8) in the two extended gores on each side of the canopy. Start with the bottom extended gore on one side. Hold the outside edge of the extended gore near the top. Pull the slack toward the apex and position the open edge of the extended gore so it is aligned with the line channel (Figure 9). Repeat these steps for each extended gore. Also, during this step, make sure that Figure 8 Dressing the excess material. Figure 9 Pulling slack material toward the apex. 7
Flaking, Dressing, and Folding the Canopy the upper control lines are positioned within the line channel. When dressing the extended gores, do not pull the steering line attachment tabs through the metal O-ring. Complete dressing the extended gores by folding the extended gore material toward the line channel again; start in the middle and fold the material so that the outside folded edge matches the width of standard gores (Figures 10 and 11). Clear and fold each extended gore limiter and place it on top of the second fold of the adjacent extended gore. Figure 10 Folding excess material. Figure 11 Matching outside edges. 8
Flaking, Dressing, and Folding the Canopy ➍ As necessary, dress and straighten the AIN (Anti-Inversion Net) netting so it lies flat without tangles. ➎ Fold the right group of gores lengthwise over the line channel (Figure 12); position the skirt edge perpendicular to the line channel. Fold the left group of gores lengthwise over the line channel, and over the right group of gores (Figure 13). Now the canopy is folded lengthwise in thirds. Figure 12 Folding the right gores. Figure 13 Folding the left gores. 9
towing the Canopy in the Deployment Bag ➊ Tie the canopy apex bridle loop to the static line attachment loop inside the deployment bag as follows: Double a 40-inch length of 80-pound Type I break tape (Mil-T- 5661). Pass one end through the attachment loop at the end of the static line inside the deployment bag. Continue through the bridle loop, and then back through the static line attachment loop in the opposite direction. Tie the break tape over the static line attachment loop with a surgeon s knot and a locking knot. Leave a 3-inch loop in the break tape (Figure 14). ➋ Place the apex in the upper right corner of the deployment bag (Figure 15), and S-fold (side to side) the canopy into the bag. Then S-fold the AIN netting (front to back) into the bag (Figure 16). ➌ Tuck in the side flaps and fold the locking stow panel over the side flaps. Insert the locking stow loops and the connector-link tie loops through the slots in the locking stow panel. Figure 14 Attaching the apex to the deployment bag. 10
Stowing the Canopy in the Deployment Bag Figure 15 Stowing the apex. Figure 16 Folding the AIN (anti-inversion net) netting. 11
towing the Suspension Lines ➊ Make the first stow in the right locking stow loop (Figure 17). The ends of the two locking stows should extend at least 1 inch beyond the stow loop hoods. ➋ Make the second stow in the left locking stow loop (Figure 18). ➌ Make the third stow in the upper right stow loop (Figure 19). ➍ The ends of the third stow and all remaining stows should align with the outer edges of the stow loop reinforcement panels. Make the fourth stow in the upper left stow loop. Continue stowing until the distance between the last stow and the connector links is between 7 and 12 inches. Figure 17 Making the first line stow. Figure 18 Making the second line stow. 12
Stowing the Suspension Lines Figure 19 Making the third line stow. 13
ying the Connector Links ➊ Using two 24-inch lengths of break tape, route one length through each pair of connector links and through the top and bottom tie loops to the outside. The control lines must be enclosed by the break tape (Figure 20). Secure the break tape with a surgeon s knot and locking knot. Do not trim the break tape ends. ➌ Place the suspension line cover over the stowed lines. Pass one end of each break tape (previously used to tie the connector links) through the tie loops at each corner of the cover, routing the break tape from the inside to the outside of the loop. Tie with a surgeon s knot and a locking knot. Trim excess break tape (Figure 22). Figure 20 Tying the connector links. Figure 21 Stowing excess suspension line. 14
Tying the Connector Links Figure 22 Tying the suspension line cover. 15
losing the Pack Tray ➊ Place the deployment bag on the pack tray with the suspension line cover up and the bag s opening end at the bottom of the pack tray. This places the risers under the deployment bag and parallel to the sides of the pack tray. Position the risers so that they lie flat, one on each side of the tray. They should extend out the top of the pack tray as shown in Figure 23. ➋ Position the static line in a V-shape on top of the deployment bag with the pack opening loop on the top center of the bag (Figure 24). ➌ Thread a single turn of break tape through the four flap-closing loops and the pack-opening loop. Make sure the static line comes up through the center of the loop formed by the break tape with the pack-opening loop positioned between the lower and left packclosing loops (Figure 25). ➍ Pull the flaps closed, leaving a 1- to 2-inch opening between the loops. Tie with a surgeon s knot and a locking knot. Use a packing paddle to dress the pack assembly. Figure 23 Positioning the deployment bag on the pack tray. Figure 24 Positioning the pack opening loop. 16
Closing the Pack Tray ➎ Stow the static line across the pack, starting on the right side of the container. Use a double turn of the stowing rubber band for each stow (replace any rubber band that shows signs of wear, or does not retain adequate elasticity to securely hold the static line). The end of each bight must extend a minimum of 1 inch from the rubber band. Stow excess slack in the elastic slack retainer at the top of the pack. Pull each riser out of the pack tray until both risers are even and extend about 12 inches out of the pack tray (Figure 26). For stowing the static line, the Alliance No. 71 pale crepe (or equivalent) is recommended. ➏ To complete rigging the FS-14, cross the risers and secure the capewells using rubber bands. Smokejumping units can apply local conventions for the last steps in rigging the FS-14. For example, some units use the waist strap to secure a waterproof or seamless bag on top of the pack. The static line snap can be stowed using one of several options: it can be stowed under the waist strap (Figure 27), Figure 25 Threading the break tape. Figure 26 Dressing the risers. 17
Closing the Pack Tray it can be clipped to the elastic static line snap keeper, it can be clipped to the static line opening loop, or it can be clipped to the nylon webbing used to attach the rubber bands that stow the static line. Figure 27 Rigging complete. 18
Additional single copies of this document may be ordered from: USDA Forest Service, Missoula Technology & Development Center Building 1, Fort Missoula Missoula, MT 59804-7294 Phone: (406) 329-3900 Fax: (406) 329-3719 IBM: pubs/wo,mtdc Electronic copies of this document are available on the Forest Service s FSWeb intranet at: Library Card Wilson, Pat; Pierce, Dave. 1998. Packing instructions: FS-14 parachute: revised June 1998. Tech. Rep. 9857-2817-MTDC. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 18 electronic p. Includes step-by-step instructions for packing the FS-14 parachute used by Forest Service smokejumpers. Twenty seven photographs show the important points. Keyword: smokejumping http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us For additional technical information, contact Pat Wilson at the address above. Phone: (406) 329-1015 Fax: (406) 329-3719 IBM: pwilson/wo,mtdc E-mail: pwilson/wo_mtdc@fs.fed.us End of Document 19