Figure 9. Frangible Skirt Assist Lines At High Speed.

TM 10-1670-327-23&P

0002 00

Frangible Skirt Hesitator Ties. In order to continue to promote fast opening of the reserve parachute

during low speed malfunction, Frangible Skirt Assist Lines (FSAL) (figure 8) are attached inside the

canopy, with type I, 1/4-inch cotton webbing between the main seam and a point on the rigging line.

When the lines are together, as in before the canopy begins to inflate, the load path is along the main

seam, the skirt assist line, and the suspension lines, since this is the shortest path. Since tension in the

parachute during early part of the deployment is transmitted down the skirt-accelerator line, the skirt is free

to move outwards in the airflow, which promotes faster inflation by forming a funnel.

Canopy

Skirt

Skirt Assist Line

Suspension

Line

Figure 8. Frangible Skirt Assist Lines At Low Speed.

At high speed, the load is such that the FSAL will break, reapplying the tension to the hem and prevent the