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CHAPTER 4

MAIN CONTAINERCHAPTER 4

MAIN CONTAINER

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SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNERS MANUAL

Page 2:X Section 2: Equipment Chapter 4 - Packing & Closing the Main 11301 - 00.00.0000

SELECTING THE PROPERSTOW BANDS

Band types for:1)All Dacron lined canopies2) Microline

NOTE:If you run out of all specialized Tandemrubber bands (2 x 3/4), it is possible to usetwo regular rubber bands for each line stow.Be sure the combined width of the two rubberbands does not exceed 3/4 inch in width. Anysubstandard bands should be replaced withTandem bands as soon as possible.

LINE DUMP

Definition: During bag lift-off, the rapidacceleration of the main bag can cause theentire line stow group to fall off the bag dueto loose or weak stow bands.

The stow bands used on the Tandem Sigmaare very important. Even more so than sportrigs, as the Tandem main bag is lifted out ofthe container at a more rapid rate. TheTandem Sigma must have the suspensionlines securely stowed. Be cautious of bands

which are too weak or stretch too much asthey can cause deployment problems.Because of the increased weights involved incarrying two people, the forces on the bag atdeployment time can be enough to cause linedump if the bands are not tight enough. Onthe other hand bands that are too tight maycause problems disrupting the evensequencing of the deployment.

Line dump can lead to partial malfunctions asthe loose suspension lines quickly come

under tension, and will at times form pressureknots, causing lines to entangle.

TANDEM TUBE STOWS

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11301 - 00.00.0000 Section 2: Equipment Chapter 4 - Packing & Closing the Main

INSPECT MAIN CLOSING LOOP

The main container-closing loop is alsoconstructed of 1,000 lb. Spectra line, andfinished to a set length. Spectra is usedbecause of its low surface friction.Any otherline (other than Teflon, which is too weak)

would cause a hard or impossible pull in thisapplication.

The sewn to button construction techniqueis used because knots in Spectra slip, andthere is only one correct length(8) for theclosing loop anyway. However, Spectra has alow melting temperature, so the pull-up cordused to close this rig must also be Spectra.

Friction caused by the use of Nylon or Dacronpull-up cords, even when extreme care is taken, will very quickly damage the container closing loop. Replace any loop,

which is badly worn. It is not necessary to replace a loop that is just slightly fuzzy. With proper care a loop can last 100jumps or more. If you insist on using nylon pull up cords, your closing loop must be replaced every few jumps. This canget expensive. Spare loops and pull-up cords are stored in the main top flap pouches.

WARNING:Do not fabricate your own closing loops.

Do not use anything but Spectra as a pull-up cord.

INSPECT THE DROGUE RELEASE RECOIL RIPCORD SYSTEM

Make sure the eyeleted stainless steel pin is straight and free of burrs. Pull all slack Spectra ripcord up out of the

housings, remove any twists, and check for wear. Each ripcord is independent of the other; over 1,000 lbs. strong, andonly sees 10 lbs. in use. So a small amount of wear is nothing to be concerned about. Pull each ripcord handle to checkthe recoil function, and examine the loop-to-loop connection at each handle for wear. Make sure the ripcord housingsare secure.

INSPECT THE CANOPY

1) bridle attachment point on top and inside of canopyThe bridle attachment point at the top of the canopy is a very high wear point and should be checked for any signs ofdamage occurring to the stitching both on top and inside of the canopy.

2) canopy cells, panels and seamsAs you flake the canopy, take a good look at each panel for any tears, burns or broken stitches. After every 25 jumpsinspect the canopy more closely to include looking inside the cells as well as inspecting all of the reinforcing tapesthrough-out the canopy.

3) line condition and attachment pointsDuring the flaking of the canopy, take a look down the length of the lines watching for any damage or deformitiesEvery so often walk down the length of the lines inspecting all cascade points and looking for any burns or brokenstitching.

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4) steering lines, brake lock loops and toggle attachmentWhile inspecting the steering lines watch for damage especially at the brake lock loops, the toggle attachment pointsand at the attachment points at the canopy.

5) slider conditionCheck the slider grommets for any wear (dings, nicks, sharp surfaces). Check the entire slider for holes, burns ofraying.

6) connector linksEnsure that the link protectors are secure. If no link protectors are present then check to ensure that the omission isintentional and that the connector link barrels have not loosened.

Rigger Note: Using Mechanics Loc-Tite on the barrel threads, and marking the barrel and link with a brightlycolored paint line may help to insure the barrels tightness and speed up link inspection.

SEQUENCE CHECKLIST

Main Canopy Assembly Inspection Guide

- drogue chute handle attachment- drogue chute fabric and seams- drogue chute center line- drogue chute bridle attachment point- drogue kevlar bridle- Disk to drogue attachemnt pin- drogue bridle/ canopy attachment point- deployment bag- canopy fabric and seams (top, bottom, skin and ribs)- canopy reinforcement tapes- lines and cascades

- steering lines and brake loops- slider and grommets- connector links- risers- 3-Ring release system

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INSPECT THE DROGUE

Check the envelope for tears and snags. Tinyholes can be ignored for a few jumps, butmedium to large size tears must be repairedbefore the next jump.

Check the outer Kevlar bridle for signs of wearor broken stitches.

Check the inner Vectran/Spectra kill line forsigns of wear. Common wear points are theupper and lower 30 inches of the bridle. Themid-section tends to outlast the endsAlthough a kill line can last 100s of jumps,sandy or salty conditions can lower its lifeMake sure both the kill line and the outerKevlar bridle are attached to the bag loop witha correctly tightened #5 stainless rapid link.

Because both the kill line and the bridle areattached at the same place, you no longerhave to untwist the kill line before setting thedrogue.

Check the disk for nicks, which can be causedby improper ground handling.A deep, sharpnick could damage either the container orcanopy on the next jump, and should besanded or buffed out. (Your main containertop flap has Velcro pouches with spare partsincluding Emory cloth and a 3/32 Allen

wrench.)

Check that the disk attachment pin is threadedthrough its loop on the drogue bridle, andthat the screws are tight. Tighten with a 3/32Allen wrench if necessary. A loose screw coulddamage or snag the closing loop. A missingscrew could cause the pin to slip out of thedisk chimney, which would cause prematurecollapse of the drogue. A little dab of blueLoc-Tite on the screws will help keep themin place.

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TOGGLE ATTACHMENT

Pass steering line through grommet frombottom side.

Thread toggle tip through loop at end ofsteering line.

Pull steering line tight to secure Larks Headconnection.

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Stowing main dual brakes; position and stowthe secondary toggles.

Feed the stow loop through the cats-eye onprimary brake line.

Feed stow loop through cats eye on secondarybrake line. NOTE: Do not pull secondary brakeline through guide ring.

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Pass stow loop through primary guide ring asshown.

Pull head of primary toggle through the stowloop; stowing brakes.

Mate the snap and appropriate Velcro. NeatlyS-fold remainder of lines next to primary toggle.

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Secure S-Folded lines with Velcro cotton wrapEnsure the Velcro is fully mated to reduce Velcrodamage to the suspension lines.

Divide the line set between fingers as shown.

Walk your fingers up the lines to the slidermaking sure there are no twists, flip throughsetc.

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Count the nose making sure you have all cells in your hand.

After shaking the canopy once, or twice secure the nosebetween your legs.

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Flake canopy in an accordian fashion from nose to taimaking sure the line groups run down the middle of thecanopy, and the canopy fabric is pushed to the outside andquarter slider.

Making sure the D-lines are taught, find center of tail andbring it over the slider.

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Leaving the nose exposed will cause the canopy to openquicker, maybe harder.

Folding/tucking the nose in will cause the canopy to snivellonger. You may choose the method that works best foryour particular canopy.

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Roll tail around nose 3-5 times.

Neatly set canopy on floor. Carefull not to drop canopy onfloor.

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Purge or squeeze all air out of the canopy.

Up fold canopy bringing lines back to center.

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Repeat for opposite side.

Extract center cell.

Bring center cell out and around canopy.

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Cocoon the canopy.

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Once cocooned purge out the rest of the air.

Prepare bag to accept canopy.

Make first S-fold according to depth of bag.

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Hold down first S-old with knee.

This fold will lock the slider in place, so be sureslider grommets are all the way up to theslider stops.

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Reach underneath canopy in preparation forsecond S-fold.

Making second S-fold.

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After 2nd S-fold tuck ears underneath andabove 1st S-fold to depth of bag.

Secure S-fold with D-bag. Insert that half of thecanopy into the D-bag

Repeat previous 2 steps for other side.

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Bring bag around S-folded canopy.

Secure D-bag with first 2 stows. Use tandemTude stowes here to reduce the chance of line

dump.

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Stow the remainder of lines. Leave about 2 feetbetween the last stow and the risers.

Stow your main risers along side of the reservecontainer. Make sure the risers are not

underneath tuck tab flap over shoulder.

Close and secure riser cover tuck tab.

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Neatly S-fold remainder of lines in the main packtray, and not over top main flap #2.

Place D-bag in container with line stows tobottom of container.

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Arrow on disk should be pointing up towardsreserve container.

Thread main closing loop through chimney ofdisk, and secure with main pin, as shown in

picture. Doing so will allow you to immobilizethe disc for cocking.

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Cock the drogue in the normal fashion.

Notice that the Kevlar bridle on the left side of the containeris scrunched up after you cock your drogue.

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Position and keep the scrunched Kevlar bridleon the left side and on top between the D-bagand reserve container.

Using a length of 725lb or 1000lb spectra pull-up cord. Thread through D-rings and around

the disk to close container.

Diagram of closing sequence is provided onmain pin cover flap.

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Pass pull-up cord through grommet on bottomflap. As the four (4) flaps are drawn together,keep the disk centered with arrow pointing tothe reserve container.

Secure with pin. be sure the flap D-Ring andclosing loop are below the flange.

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Once secure, remove the pull-up cord.

Insert safety pin (attached to drogue bridle) intomain pin eyelet and ensure that it enters the

grommet.

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Secure drogue bridle underneath right mainside flap. Secure the 2 small tuck tabs on pinflap underneath main plate flap.

Close main pin cover flap into center flap.

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Layout drogue in a nice flat, circular fashion.

Fold drogue in half down towards the bridle.

Fold drogue and bridle up towards ball.

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S-fold remainder of bridle on top of each otheleaving approximately 15" of loose bridle.

Fold canopy over/across bridle in 3rds.

Fold across once more making the foldeddrogue approximately 15" x 6".

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Insert drogue in its pouch and tuck bridle awayso it is not visible.

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