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11236 Satellite Blvd. Orlando, FL 32837 Tel.: (407) 859-9317 Fax: (407) 850-6978 www.strongparachutes.com
Strong Enterprises Owner’s Manual. Dual Hawk Tandem System -
Revision L: 1/16
1.0 Introduction To Tandem Skydiving
The chronicle of tandem skydiving, like so many elements of our sport, began with the vision
and enthusiasm of an experienced skydiver trying something new. More significantly, to share
the thrill of freefall skydiving with someone else. It was 1977 and most parachutes in use were
“rounds”. Parachute technology was evolving but still far behind today’s sophisticated equipment
and procedures.
The skydiver took his wife as his first “Tandem Student,” strapping her into the same harness with
him for the experiment. Encouraged by the relative success, other skydivers made more jumps.
In November 1982 intrigued by the possibilities of an
actual training program centered on tandem skydiving,
Ted Strong and Bill Morrissey began engineering the
tandem concept into real equipment made specifically for
tandem jumping.
The first tandem jump made on this newly engineered
equipment was made in January 1983 with Ted Strong
as the tandem pilot and Ricky Meadows, an employee at
Strong Enterprises, the student.
During the next two and a half years hundreds of experimental tandem jumps were made. During
this time the student ripcord, Master Reserve, and drogue systems were all incorporated into the
design and resulted in tandem skydiving equipment and procedures reaching an acceptable level
of feasibility and more importantly, safety. In 1987, US Patent #4,746,084 was issued to Strong
Enterprises for this original and pioneering work on the major tandem concepts.
Commitment to development and innovation continues today. We at Strong Enterprises are
constantly creating new and innovative products living up to the name “The parachute company
with imagination”!
Today, almost one million tandem skydives are made each year, bringing the thrill of freefall
skydiving to a vast and more diverse audience than ever before while giving the student a measure
of safety not available during other teaching methods.
1.1 Scope
This DHT manual P/N 510045 is a component of the DHT system, it covers the manufacturer’s
instructions for the assembly, operation, packing, maintenance and approved components of this
Dual Hawk Tandem Parachute System.
1.2 Operational Limitations
The Strong Enterprises Dual Hawk Tandem System is specifically designed for two people with
total loads of up to 500 lbs and opening speeds up to 175 knots IAS. The use of unapproved parts
and components is prohibited.
