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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. TNT System -
Rev. A 1/16
1.4.1.3 Handles, RSL, and Air Anchor
The TNT has four handles each with a specific purpose.
There are two drogue release handles. The handles have a PVC grip with
a 5/32 inch coated aircraft cable. Both drogue release ripcords (primary
and secondary) are located on the instructor’s right main lift web.
The primary main drogue release ripcord and ripcord cable housing is
designed to be detached from the instructor’s main lift web and attached
to the student’s main lift web as the student is being connected to the
instructor. The primary drogue release is clipped to the student harness
and is used to teach the student how to activate the main canopy. The
primary drogue release is equipped with a bungee system that ensures the handle remains with
the system and will not be lost or “thrown away”. Both the primary and secondary drogue release
handles perform the same job, by using a through loop system. Either the primary, secondary, or
both can be used without affecting the function of the system. When pulled the drogue release lets
the through loop release the drogue 3-ring and allows the drogue bridle to detach from the harness
and pull the main deployment bag from the main pack tray.
The Cutaway handle is a soft Cordura “pillow” that attaches outboard
on the instructor’s right main lift web and has two coated 3/32” stainless
steel cables. The easy grip finger pocket handle allows a quick, no-slip
pull. An additional safety feature of the cutaway handle is the addition
of a drogue release loop. The instructor’s drogue release cable is placed
through this loop ensuring that all three main canopy points (two main
risers and one drogue riser) are released upon cutaway, eliminating
the chance of a main/reserve entanglement. When pulled the cutaway
handle releases both main riser three ring systems as well as the drogue three ring, allowing the
instructor to completely remove him/herself from the malfunctioning canopy.
Attached to the right side main riser is a Reserve Static Line
(RSL) lanyard. Release of main canopy (cutaway) will pull
the RSL lanyard taut. The RSL lanyard terminates with a
ring which is placed around the reserve ripcord cable. Once
the RSL lanyard is tight it will pull the reserve pin opening the reserve container. This allows a
spring loaded pilot chute to be released. The RSL will most likely have the reserve container open
before the parachutist has a chance to pull the reserve ripcord. This does not mean the parachutist
can neglect to pull the reserve ripcord.
The Air Anchor is a Main Assisted Reserve Deployment (MARD) devise which is integrated into
the RSL A second lanyard located about 2/3 down the RSL has a locking loop, grommet, and mini
ring. The mini ring is attached to the bridle of the reserve freebag using a simple two-ring locking
system and is then stowed in the reserve pack tray. By having the Air Anchor attached to the
freebag bridle during low-speed malfunctions the distance necessary to reach line stretch is almost
cut in half greatly increasing survival chances. Depending on the situation the simple two-ring
system will lock when under a load or release cleanly and quickly allowing the pilot chute to work
as designed. During tests the Air Anchor released clean and quick during the direct to reserve
pulls, and stayed engaged assisting reserve deployment during baglock, spinning main, and stable
main conditions.
