RIPCORD RELEASE TEST PROCEDURE

this, you first evacuate air from a test chamber to simulate an increase in altitude. When you have achieved a simulated altitude above the preset altitude of the ripcord release, you extract the arming pin, which arms the parachute ripcord release firing mechanism. Then you bleed outside air back into the test chamber at a controlled rate to simulate a specific rate of descent. When the pressure reaches the value for which the automatic ripcord release has been set, the aneroid will unlock the sear if the pressure sensitivity is within tolerance. The test chamber, its evacuation system, instrumentation, and controls are packaged in one container. The test chamber is de- signed to withstand a vacuum equivalent to an altitude of 30,000 feet. The chamber holds the entire 7000 series automatic para- chute ripcord release, and it includes the necessary brackets to support and position the ripcord release within the chamber dur- ing the test cycle. An access door/observation window is also provided. NOTE: Before testing an automatic parachute ripcord release, the test chamber altimeter should read 29.92 inches of mercury barometric pressure. RIPCORD RELEASE TEST PROCEDURE Plug the test unit’s power cord into a 115-volt, 60 Hz, ac power source. Place the power switch in the ON position, open the test chamber door, and insert the arm- ing pin cable into the side of the ripcord release with the aneroid end toward the operator. To test the ripcord release, follow these procedures: 1. Ensure the test chamber has been cali- brated. Install the test chamber substitute arming pin into the ripcord release. If the barometric pressure reading of the altimeter isn’t 29.92, you will not get a true reading of the firing altitudes. Therefore, you must adjust the altimeter to the proper setting when required. 2. Install a dummy cartridge. Figure 2-10.—Locking barrel assembly. CAUTION DO NOT RELEASE THE RIPCORD RELEASE FIRING MECHANISM WITHOUT A DUMMY CARTRIDGE INSTALLED, AS THIS COULD DIS- TORT THE FIREWALL. THIS DIS- TORTION COULD CAUSE A LATER MALFUNCTION. 3. Press the barrel down into position in the receiver. As the barrel reaches the proper position, exert forward pressure on the snap. lock, causing the snap lock pins to lock the barrel in position (fig. 2-10). 4. Install the barrel and receiver into the test chamber. Check your altimeter (fig. 2-9) for a setting of 29.92. 5. Evacuate the chamber to an altitude of 25,000 feet. This is done by using the climb toggle switch. 6. Decrease the altitude by using the descend toggle. The chamber simulates descent at a rate of 175 to 200 feet per second. 7. At approximately 20,000 feet actuate the arm toggle switch to withdraw the arming pin from the barrel and receiver. 8. At the firing altitude the ripcord release should fire. (You have a tolerance of plus or minus 1,000 feet at this time.) 9. Record the altitude at which the ripcord release assembly’s firing pin strikes the dummy cartridge. The firing altitude is recorded on the parachute configuration, inspection, and history record. The quality assurance inspector will check this point of the procedure. 2-6