Square Chutes...

For a little gas on the fire...I'm curious. Besides the P-124 Aviator
by Rigging Innovations:
http://www.rigginginnovations.com/products/aviator.htm or having
Softie put a ram air in one of their harnesses, what other square
emergency rigs are out there as options and which do you 'squares' out
there prefer? (and why...)

-Paul

Paul,

When you ask this question, keep in mind that there are two components
to what you get: the harness/container, and the chute itself. In the
skydiving world they are rarely manufactured by the same company, and
I'm nervous about those that are. That's like the same company making
the glider and trailer.

The harness/container, obviously, is what you see and feel most of the
time, and largely determines your cockpit comfort. This is important!
If you don't care what kind of parachute you have (round/square), get
the container that provides the most comfort, then get a square chute
if you're smart, a round if you're not. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

If you are stuck on round chutes, choose your container first (for
confort), chute second. If you want to be square, do a little more
shopping around on the container to ensure compatability.

Full disclosu I use a Rigging Innovations Sport Aviator, and the
owners of the company are long-time friends of mine. The Sport Aviator
is not the most comfortable emergency rig I've worn (it's designed
more for airbatic pilots), but the total quality package is very good,
and the comfort is good enough.

~ted/2NO

On Dec 9, 12:56*am, Tuno wrote:
Paul,

When you ask this question, keep in mind that there are two components
to what you get: the harness/container, and the chute itself. In the
skydiving world they are rarely manufactured by the same company, and
I'm nervous about those that are. That's like the same company making
the glider and trailer.

The harness/container, obviously, is what you see and feel most of the
time, and largely determines your cockpit comfort. This is important!
If you don't care what kind of parachute you have (round/square), get
the container that provides the most comfort, then get a square chute
if you're smart, a round if you're not. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

If you are stuck on round chutes, choose your container first (for
confort), chute second. If you want to be square, do a little more
shopping around on the container to ensure compatability.

Full disclosu I use a Rigging Innovations Sport Aviator, and the
owners of the company are long-time friends of mine. The Sport Aviator
is not the most comfortable emergency rig I've worn (it's designed
more for airbatic pilots), but the total quality package is very good,
and the comfort is good enough.

~ted/2NO

Interesting. In my experience, the packing of the chute can have a
huge impact on the comfort, regardless of the container. Fer
instance, my National 425 can be packed such that there is more
material at the top of the container (across the shoulders) or with
more material at the lower back. The latter is WAY more comfortable
for me in my LS8 than the former. My rigger tells me to ask him for
a "reverse taper".

P3

Allen Silver built me a (Performance Designs) PD235 / Mini Softie
rig.
It has been very comfortable in the AS-H26E and LS-6a.
The Softie does not fit as well in a Schempp fuselage, the N3 for
example.
For that I use a National 360 with Larry's modified pack.
Jim

I wear a sport aviator from Rigging Innovations. I have no connection to
the company but they have been building skydiving gear for a long time
with a great reputation. Never owned one of their skydiving rigs as they
never were trendy on the East Coast -funny how that works.
At 05:15 09 December 2008, sisu1a wrote:
For a little gas on the fire...I'm curious. Besides the P-124 Aviator
by Rigging Innovations:
http://www.rigginginnovations.com/products/aviator.htm or having
Softie put a ram air in one of their harnesses, what other square
emergency rigs are out there as options and which do you 'squares' out
there prefer? (and why...)

-Paul