Doc.-No.: 01/EHTD400
Equipment Handbook
Date: 01.03.2003
TD400
Revision:
Rev. date:
Page: 32 of 40
FIREBIRD, Am Tower 16, 54634 Bitburg
18. Putting on the Parachute
The user puts the rig on over his shoulders like a backpack. The leg straps are brought
up between the legs and the ends are fed through the buckles. The chest strap is also
fastened with a buckle onto the main-lift web. The leg and chest straps should be pulled
tight, so that the parachute fits the body snugly but without restricting movement. If the fit
is too tight, the rig hinders the wearer; a fit that is too loose can lead to the uneven
distribution of opening shock and possibly to the injury or endangerment of the wearer.
After separation from the main canopy, the parachutist should pull the reserve ripcord
handle from the pocket on the left vertical main-lift web with an even, strong pull. The
steel cable attached to the ripcord handle will be pulled out of the housing and the pin at
the end will slid out of the closing loop. At this point the reserve flaps of the rig open to
free the spring-loaded pilot chute. This reaches the air stream and, with the attached
bridle, pulls the freebag out. The suspension lines come out of the line bag, straighten
out and, with the last two stows of the “running loops,” free the reserve parachute. The
parachute stretches out of the freebag and becomes filled with air, during which the slider
slides downward and comes to rest on the connector links.
On the condition that the parachute is in accordance with the regulations and has been
handled corresponding to the instructions contained in this Equipment Handbook, the
allowable service life is 15 years.
19. Manual Activation of the Reserve Parachute
20. Allowable Service Life
