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Strong Enterprises owner’s manual. Para-Cushion
www.strongparachutes.com
1.12 How to Get Out of the Airplane
There are only two steps to remember when you must leave your aircraft. 1) Get clear of the
aircraft, 2) then pull your ripcord, in that order. If the parachute begins to open while you’re still
aboard, the wind may inflate it, dragging you out or into the tail. Also, it may entangle with the
aircraft. There are no other rules - the aircraft may be tumbling, spinning, or inverted. Simply
get yourself out any way you can. Clear the aircraft and pull your ripcord immediately. There is
enough oxygen to breath and you’ll be descending into denser air.
1.13 How to Open the Parachute
The ripcord handle is located near the chest strap on the wearer’s left front of the harness. The
key is to:
LOOK at the ripcord handle, rather than fumble or tug on a harness fitting. Beneath the fabric
cover, the ripcord handle is held in place by a pocket. Look at it first because it may have been
dislodged by your exit.
REACH over and grab it with both hands (typically with your right hand and left thumb), and
PULL! This is no time to be gentle!
If the ripcord doesn’t come free on the first pull, check to make sure it is the handle in your hand,
not some other piece of hardware. Back the handle up to the housing to create slack in the cable,
then punch it out again. The entire cable assembly should come completely out of the housing.
To reduce the pull force, push the handle in the direction that the protective ripcord housing points
- rather than straight out from your chest. The ripcord housing on the Para-Cushion L-39 comes
over your shoulder, so push the handle down toward your feet. By having both hands together on
the handle, you also reduce the chance of the canopy or lines entangling with an extended limb.
Keep your feet together for the same reason. Body position is secondary to pulling.
Remember to LOOK-REACH-PULL.
1.14 How to Steer
The C-9 Military Parachute in your L-39 Parachute System uses a method called a four line release
to give your parachute forward speed making it steerable. Once under canopy you will notice over
your head, on each side, a red loop attached to a series of knots. Securely grasp the loops, one in each
hand, and pull hard until all the knots have been released and the rear four lines of your canopy are
free. Doing this will give you the ability to steer your parachute. Pull down right to turn right, pull
down left to turn left. During a repack operation, ask your rigger to show you this steering assembly,
and explain it further.
