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PRO.IECT ID NUMBER: TC-O17
PRO.IECT NAME: DUAL SQUARE
DEPLOYMENT STUDY #2.
COORDINATOR: Rusty Vest
PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To further the study
of interaction of Ram-air main and reserve canopies
by testing high performance canopies with small
reserves, as well as mismatched canopies.
PROJECT BACKGROUND: The dual square TC-
015 project completed by the USAPT certainly
answered many questions about the dual square
situation in a student environment, but it also led to
many questions about whether this information
could be safely applied to experienced jumpers
equipment as well. The TC-01 5 project concluded
that more investigation needs to be done, so a new
study was undertaken.
CURRENT STATUS: To date, 47 dual square
jumps have been made to compliment the jumps
made as part of the previous project TC-01 5. In
most cases. the data we have obtained bolsters the
results previously presented, though there have
been a few problems with certain scenarios. There
have been six jumps made during which the main
and reserve were deployed simultaneously, or
within two seconds of each other in both possible
orders. We still need to do some more of these
jumps on smaller, higher performance canopies.
unfortunately, this is a very complex project, and
the big job of compiling the results of these jumps
is going much slower than we had hoped. Since this
is a volunteer eflbrt that combines people and
equipment from four different manufacturers,
finding enough time to devote to a concentrated
review of the videos has been difficult. Still, there
seems to be some common practices in the field that
the study indicates are in error, so the immediate
focus is now on creating a basic list of do's and
don'ts for approval and release. The issue of
providing a more complete report that covers all
possible scenarios will come after this has been
accomplished. The finaljumps are planned for
October, and a complete and final report is
anticipated at the Symposium.
T8-260 REVIEW AND UPDATE: During the
meeting Cliff Schmucker mentioned the need to
review and update TB-260, which is the results of a
poll taken some time ago of hamess and container
manufacturers and AAD manufacturers. It lists who
can install which AADs in what systems. Since
there are new harness and containers as well as new
AADs now on the market, T8-260 is obviously in
need of an update. Cliff has volunteered to
undertake this task.
PROJECT ID NUMBER: TC-019
PROJECT NAME: Mini Ring Riser Study.
COORDINATOR: Cliff Schmucker
PROJECT GOAL/PURPOSE: To evaluate the
current status of Type-17 riser design and
coordinate data among manufacturers.
PROJECT BACKGROUND: In the past 3 years
there have been l4 reported Type-17 riser failures.
STATUS: Active.
COMPLETION DATE: Ongoing.
SUMMARY: The subject of Type-17 riser failure
has received widespread publication and discussion.
PIA Techcom has created and distributed a Riser
Failure Reporl Form.
Along with the gathering of information, several
manufacturers have undertaken to test existing
Type-17 riser designs. As a result of these tests,
they have re-configured their Type- l7 designs to
reinforce the 3-ring section of the riser.
Other companies have adopted other designs. The
study was recently renamed "Mini Ring Riser study
because of a failure on a Type 8 mini riser that was
mounted on a large ring harness during a testing
program.
Other business:
L
Report from Sandy Reid on the CAMI
restraint testins
Para NewsBrief - December 1996
PNBNEW96