SUSPENSION LINES

NOTE: To determine the service life of a parachute component, refer to the Mainte- nance Requirement Cards, NAVAIR 13-600-4-6-3. SUSPENSION LINES The suspension lines form a net or skeleton for the canopy and absorb much of the shock load. Therefore, when being assembled, they must be placed under a 20-pound tension, marked, and cut as a group to assure equal distribution of the shock load. The 28 suspension lines counted at the links are actually 14 lines, 75 feet 4 inches in length. These lines run continuously from link to link; that is, each line is secured to a connector link on one side of the canopy, runs up and over the canopy, and down to a link on the opposite side. Type III nylon suspension line (with a mini- mum tensile strength of 550 pounds) is used on all main canopies and vane-type pilot chutes. This line consists of a loosely woven outer covering called a sleeve, and several strong inner cords called the core. This core provides the greater portion of the strength of the suspension line. The suspension lines are attached to the con- nector links by tying a clove hitch, then a half- hitch, and completing the attachment with 2 (±1/2 or – 1/4) inches of zigzag stitching. These lines are attached to the lift webs with removable connector links. One of the four removable connector links is shown in figure 1-9. See the four links (the ends of the suspension lines without the lift webs) in figure 1-5. To prevent the canopy on the 28-foot para- chute from slipping along the suspension lines, each line is anchored by zigzag stitching at several points to the radial seams through which it passes. One-half inch of slack is allowed in the vicinity of the skirt between the zigzag sewing points to relieve the strain during opening shock. PARACHUTE CONTAINERS The parachute container is designed to house and protect the pilot chute, main canopy, and suspension lines. There are as many different styles of containers as there are parachutes. They all have the same basic opening procedures. There are four flaps: top, bottom, left, and right. These flaps are held closed by two or four ripcord pins inserted through locking cones. To open the parachute container, the ripcord pins must be removed either manually or automatically. This allows the flaps to open and the pilot chute to spring from the pack. The pilot chute then pulls the canopy out. Figure 1-9.—Method of attaching suspension lines at the link. PARACHUTE HARNESS The harness is the part of the parachute that holds the parachute to the wearer. It is designed to absorb the largest part of the opening shock, with chest, leg, and back straps added to prevent the jumper from falling free from the chute on the way down. Personnel parachute harnesses are made of 1 3/4-inch-wide nylon webbing, which has a tensile strength from 6,000 to 8,700 pounds. The Navy uses two types of harnesses. The first is the quick-fit harness. It is made in three configurations: seat-type, back-type, and chest- type. The other type of harness is the integrated torso harness. It combines the harness, lap belt, and shoulder harness into one integrated garment. This harness improves the individual’s comfort and mobility; it is more secure and is easier to put on and take off. It also reduces the number of exposed straps and overall bulk and weight. 1-10