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SIGMA TANDEM SYSTEM OWNER’S MANUAL
11301 - 00.00.0000
Section 2: Equipment • Chapter 2 - Operation
MAIN ACTIVATION
Intro to the drogue
Deploying the drogue
Handles familiarization
Introduction to the drogue
Before discussing the procedures for using the drogue, it helps to understand how the drogue functions.
The purpose of the drogue is to reduce Tandem freefall velocity, not to aid in stability. When fully inflated, it provides
enough drag to give a Tandem pair the terminal velocity of an average solo jumper (120 mph). Without a drogue, a
Tandem pair will accelerate in 18 seconds to 170 mph, risking hard opening shocks and canopy damage, as well as
making freefall photography difficult.
When using the drogue always keep this one point in mind:
NO DROGUE - NO MAIN!!!
Deploying the Drogue
1) Reach for the handle with palm forward and thumb out.
2) With the hand in the same position, take a firm grip on the handle or drogue canopy just below the handle.
Note: Not an issue with Sigma Drogues.
3) The force required to extract the drogue can be substantial, especially when the pouch is new, so grip and pull
firmly. You may need to place your elbow against the side of the rig and use the leverage gained for added power.
4) Deploy the drogue with one continuous motion of the arm: Pull the drogue out aggesively in a
sweeping arc, as your arm reaches its fullest extension at shoulder height, throw the drogue at the
finish of the arc.
Do NOT hold onto or wave off with the drogue. The bridle is very long and may cause
problems if allowed to deploy before the drogue.
As you are deploying the drogue, turn your head slightly to the right and watch it inflate. Full inflation takes about
2-3 seconds.
Handles familiarization
Prior to continuing, let’s stop here and practice locating and pulling the handles.
Start by gearing up and practicing extracting the drogue and pulling the drogue release handle. This should be done
both in the standing and prone positions. Alternate the use of both the left and right drogue release handles each
time you throw the drogue.
Now let’s continue with the emergency systems.
NOTE: It may be helpful to substitute the handles with mock handles or have a rigger
place temporary pins in to close the reserve so that both the reserve handle and auxiliary
reserve handle can be pulled during practice.
Perform a thorough emergency drill, locating the cutaway handle and reserve handles, pulling the cutaway and then
pulling the reserve handle. Perform this drill enough times to ensure that the movements become a natural reaction.
Remember to peel and pull the handles correctly (see pg 11 reference to pulling handles up - not against velcro).
VERTICAL SUSPENDED HARNESS DRILLS
Summary of Contents for TANDEM VECTOR
Page 1: ......
Page 4: ......
Page 6: ...CHAPTER 1 THESIGMA TANDEMSYSTEM CHAPTER 1 THESIGMA TANDEMSYSTEM...
Page 11: ......
Page 12: ...CHAPTER 2 APPLICANT COURSE INFORMATION CHAPTER 2 APPLICANT COURSE INFORMATION...
Page 17: ......
Page 19: ...CHAPTER 1 DESCRIPTION CHAPTER 1 DESCRIPTION...
Page 31: ......
Page 32: ...CHAPTER 2 OPERATION CHAPTER 2 OPERATION...
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Page 39: ...CHAPTER 3 RESERVE CONTAINER CHAPTER 3 RESERVE CONTAINER...
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Page 72: ...CHAPTER 4 MAINCONTAINER CHAPTER 4 MAINCONTAINER...
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Page 106: ...CHAPTER 1 PREPARATION CHAPTER 1 PREPARATION...
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Page 115: ...CHAPTER 2 IN AIRCRAFT EXITS...
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Page 119: ...CHAPTER 3 FREEFALL DROGUE FALL CHAPTER 3 FREEFALL DROGUE FALL...
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Page 126: ...CHAPTER 4 CANOPY CONTROL CHAPTER 4 CANOPY CONTROL...
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Page 132: ...CHAPTER 1 RESERVE PROCEDURES CHAPTER 1 RESERVE PROCEDURES...
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Page 136: ...CHAPTER 2 AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES STUDENT REFUSAL CHAPTER 2 AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES STUDENT REFUSAL...
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Page 140: ...CHAPTER 3 FREEFALL CHAPTER 3 FREEFALL...
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Page 146: ...CHAPTER 4 CANOPY CONTROL CHAPTER 4 CANOPY CONTROL...
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Page 151: ...CHAPTER 1 STUDENTSKILLS FORFIRSTJUMP CHAPTER 1 STUDENTSKILLS FORFIRSTJUMP...
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Page 156: ...CHAPTER 2 OTHER ACTIVITIES CHAPTER 2 OTHER ACTIVITIES...
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