PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES

torso harness suit as part of an ejection seat escape system. The NES-12 parachute assemblies include a modified 28-foot diameter, flat nylon canopy with 28 gores. A ballistic spreading gun is used to rapidly deploy the canopy. The canopy is packed in a semirigid contoured container. These assemblies also include the tristage external pilot chute (EPC) and an internal pilot chute. The riser assembly, which includes the shoulder restraint system, is rigged to the container and is connected to the torso harness suit with quick-release fittings. The integrated torso harness suit combines the aircrewman’s parachute harness and lap and shoulder restraint straps. The harness is channeled through the torso suit to retain it in position and to aid in donning. When aboard the aircraft and seated, the aircrewman connects the quick-release fittings on the parachute riser assembly to the quick-release fittings on the parachute integrated torso suit. The survival kit and the lap restraint system are also connected to the integrated torso suit by means of quick-release fittings. RIGGING To obtain the NES-12 parachute, you order each component separately. You must rig the parts together to forma complete assembly. When you start to work on this or any parachute, the rigging and packing will be done under ideal conditions in a parachute loft. When a parachute assembly must be packed under unfavorable conditions, provisions must be made to protect it from possible damage and excessive humidity. Quality assurance (QA) points are included in rigging and packing procedures. When a step is followed by “(QA),” it is a QA requirement. All work STOPS until a quality assurance inspector performs the requirements listed at the end of the applicable procedure. The packing of a parachute assembly must NOT be interrupted after the packing operation has been started. If unforeseen circumstances cause the packing operation to be interrupted, the parachute assembly must be completely repacked. The rigging covered in this chapter applies to an original issue parachute assembly. NOTE: This rate training manual is not to be used as a substitute for the NAVAIR 13-1-6.2 or the NAVAIR 13-600-4-6-3 manuals. PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES After you have laid out the parachute and connected the connector links to the proper tension hooks, attach the internal pilot parachute. This is done by routing the small loop of the bridle assembly through the loop in the pilot parachute. Pass the free end (large loop) of the bridle assembly through the small loop, forming a lark’s head knot. Draw it tight. Pass one free end (large loop) of the bridle assembly around the canopy vent lines at the peak of the canopy. Pass the pilot parachute through the large loop of the bridle assembly, forming a lark’s head knot, and draw tight. Now, attach a tension strap to the canopy vent lines and tighten it. At this time, you should inspect the complete parachute assembly following the directions in NAVAIR 13-1-6.2 and NAVAIR 13-600-4-6-3. This inspection has been covered in chapter 1 of this manual. INSTALLATION OF SPREADING GUN A ballistic spreading gun (fig. 3-3) is used in the parachute. The procedures for inspect- ing this device was discussed in chapter 2. After the parachute has been inspected and Figure 3-3.—Ballistic spreading gun assembly. 3-4