tandem vector owner's manual
tandem vector owner's manual
tandem vector owner's manual
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SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL<br />
A. Drogue entanglement with main<br />
B. Drogue detaches from main<br />
C. Horseshoe malfunction, drogue cannot be pulled<br />
D. Horseshoe malfunction, drogue can be pulled<br />
MALFUNCTIONS<br />
A. Drogue entanglement with the main:<br />
PROBLEM: The drogue becomes entangled with the inflated main canopy. This may or may not create a problem.<br />
REACTION: Ask yourself two questions: 1) Can I control the canopy? and 2) can we land safely without injury? If you<br />
answer “No” to either question, then perform a breakaway by 2500 feet (750 meters).<br />
ANALYSIS: If your main canopy opens in very deep brakes, or opens in a near-stall configuration, there is always the<br />
chance the deflated drogue canopy will be thrown forward of the canopy’s nose and fall into the suspension lines.<br />
This problem rarely calls for a breakaway because the deflated drogue creates very little drag.<br />
B. Drogue detaches when release handle is pulled:<br />
PROBLEM: Drogue canopy detaches when drogue release handle is pulled. The main may or may not deploy.<br />
REACTION: If the main does not deploy, pull the reserve. The main will almost surely then be released and may deploy<br />
fully. As soon as the reserve is fully open, cutaway the main.<br />
ANALYSIS: This can happen when the drogue connection to the bag breaks or the connection from the canopy<br />
breaks. These two spots have proven to be points of noticeable wear. If the PCA breaks you should still have a normal<br />
deployment.<br />
C. Horseshoe malfunction, drogue cannot be pulled.<br />
PROBLEM: The main bag, for whatever reason, has deployed before the drogue has been thrown. Bag and lines are<br />
out.<br />
REACTION: Immediately throw the drogue. The main may or may not deploy normally. If not, proceed with emergency<br />
procedures. Be aware of your altitude.<br />
ANALYSIS: Study <strong>tandem</strong> fatality #10. Always operate the handles in the proper order.<br />
D. Horseshoe malfunction, drogue cannot be pulled<br />
PROBLEM: The main bag has somehow been deployed from the container prior to the drogue being thrown. The<br />
drogue however, cannot be thrown for whatever reason.<br />
REACTION: Release the RSL shackle and pull the breakaway handle. You may have to give the main risers a tug to<br />
assist their release. Then pull the reserve ripcord.<br />
ANALYSIS: Either the main container closing pin was accidentally dislodged, or the main closing loop broke. Care<br />
should be taken when moving around inside any aircraft to protect the handles and the closing pins.<br />
Page 2:X Section 4: Malfunctions & Emergencies • Chapter 4 - Canopy Control 11301 - 00.00.0000