Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial spec
500 lb
As marked
Sport harness chest straps
Mates well with Ty-17 webbing
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
MS22002
3,000 lb
As marked
C-9 canopies
N/A
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
13 kn
As marked
Chest adapter release
Forged aluminum
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
MS22021
3,000 lb
As marked
Navy and Air Force canopies
N/A
Figure 3-65. Adapter, quick fit, 1". Figure 3-67. Link, removable connector.
Figure 3-66. Adapter, quick fit release. Figure 3-68. Link, removable connector, speed.
Specification:
Proof Load/SWL:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
As marked on the link
“Mallion Rapide®” markings
Ram-air canopies, modern round
reserves
A. No. 6; B. No. 5; C. No. 4;
D. No. 3.5
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
2,500 lb
RW-1, 445
3-ring release systems
No. 445 shown
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
60B4312 (assembly)
5,000 lb
As marked
Military harnesses
A. 60B4313/female
B. 60J4328/male
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
500 lb
RW-2
3-ring release systems
Bottom riser ring
Figure 3-69. Link, Rapide®.
Figure 3-71. Ring, harness, 3-ring.
Figure 3-70. Release, parachute canopy quick disconnect, Capewell.
Figure 3-72. Ring, riser, middle, 3-ring.
Plastics and Synthetics
The term “plastic” used here is a generic term for synthetic
materials. The use of these materials is primarily for
stiffeners in containers. They replace the metal stiffeners
used in military systems. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
was the first material used followed by Lexan ®. Time has
proven that moly disulfide (MDS) filled nylon is superior
to the other materials and has become the most commonly
used stiffener material. Today, the use of Lexan ® is
primarily in clear windows in pin protector flaps. Stiffeners
should have rounded edges to prevent wear points and to
minimize the ability of lines to half hitch around them.
[Figures 3-80 through 3-84]
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
250 lb
RW-3
3-ring release systems
Upper riser ring
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
5,000 lb
N/A
Tandem harness assemblies
Manufactured by Parachutes de
France and Strong Enterprises
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
250 lb
RW-4
3-ring release systems
Small ring of mini 3-ring systems,
riser guide rings
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
2,500 lb
RW-6
Replaceable 3-ring harness ring
Replaces soft RW-1/82 and 83
harness rings.
Figure 3-73. Ring, riser, small, 3-ring.
Figure 3-75. Ring, harness, tandem.
Figure 3-74. Ring, riser, mini, 3-ring.
Figure 3-76. Ring, harness, replaceable, 3-ring.
Fasteners
Fasteners are various types of devices designed to hold parts
or components together or allow them to be held open or
closed. The most common designs are hook and loop fasteners
(Velcro®), snaps, grommets, and slide fasteners (zippers).
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
2,500 lb
Tandem drogue release
N/A
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
2,500 lb
444, RW-8
3-ring harness ring
Sport harnesses
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
Work Load: 3850;
Breaking Strength: 7700
5010-SS
Articulated harness (Hip) ring
N/A
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
2,500 lb
555, RI-1
Sport student harness, pilot
emergency harness
N/A
Figure 3-77. Ring, harness, “O” 2058 Cadmium Ring. Figure 3-79. Ring, harness, mini.
Figure 3-78. Ring, harness, 5010-SS Ring. Figure 3-80. Ring, quick fit.
Of all these, Velcro ® and grommets play a major part in
parachute manufacture. The use of Velcro® is primarily for
protector flap closure designs, while grommets are for use in
pack closing systems. Both fasteners are subject to extreme
wear and tear in their normal use. Consequently, routine
maintenance involves the repair and replacement of these
items. [Figures 3-85 through 3-89]
Housings
Housings are spiral-wound flexible tubing. Almost all are
stainless steel. Their design is to route, house, and protect
the ripcord cable. They are anchored to the container at one
end and the ripcord pocket or mount at the other end. Most
ripcord housings are compressible only, but some military
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
A. Bronze, 800 lb; B. Stainless
steel, 1,765 lb
As marked
RSL lanyard release
Made in bronze and stainless steel
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
11-1-6991-1
1,750 lb
As marked
Military static lines
N/A
Specification:
Proof Load:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
MS-70120
1,750 lb
As marked
Military and sport static lines
N/A
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
N/A
N/A
As marked
Replacement for Rapide® links on
main and reserve canopies
N/A
Figure 3-81. Snap shackle. Figure 3-83. Snap, static line, new style.
Figure 3-82. Snap, static line, old style.
Figure 3-84. Soft link.
housings used with seat parachutes are expandable as well.
The reason that ripcord housings are compressible and non-
expandable is to prevent premature loading of the cable and
pin as the rig is donned and the user moves around. One-pin
sport container systems generally use a .26" inside diameter
housing. Two-pin and most military containers use a .375"
inside diameter housing. Ripcord housings are measured
under slight tension.
The 3-ring release system employs the smaller .20" or .18"
housing for use with Lolon (yellow), or Teflon (orange or
red), coated release cables. These “cutaway” housings must
be expandable and non-compressible. The reason for this
is, in the case where the loop load is excessive, the non-
compressible housing will resist the loop or “push” against
it allowing an effective “pull” of the cable from the loop.
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
N/A
025", .040", .060"
Stiffeners in container systems
The preferred material in modern
container systems.
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
N/A
Orange color
Hand deploy handles, pinless
student ripcords
N/A
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
N/A
.040", .060"
Stiffeners in container systems
Used in older systems. Deforms
easily.
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
N/A
.030", .060"
Windows in container systems,
stiffeners in older systems
Breaks easily
Figure 3-85. Molydisulfide Nylon—MDS (Nylatron®). Figure 3-87. HDPE tubing, 1 ½".
Figure 3-86. Poylethylene, high density (HDPE). Figure 3-88. Polycarbonate—Lexan®.
Thus the term “push-pull system.” A compressible housing
compresses until it reaches its limit of compression, which
could be as much as 20 percent of the total length. In a
two-cable scenario, such as the 3-ring, the differential could
be as much as to allow the short side to release without
releasing the long side. Cutaway housings should be
measured in a relaxed state and then compressed to ensure
that it remains within the manufacturer’s allowable tolerance.
[Figures 3-90A through 3-92C]
Ripcords, Cables, and Swages
The standard ripcord used today on most parachute systems
consists of a stainless steel handle, 3⁄32" 7 × 7 corrosion
resistant steel cable, a stainless steel terminal ball, and one or
more stainless steel pins swaged onto the cable. The handles
come in various shapes and sizes in order to be compatible
with main lift web lengths and pocket sizes and particulars,
such as whether the ripcord grip is inboard or outboard. The
terminal ball may be of several configurations, such as a
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
Commercial
N/A
N/A
Transparent windows for
CYPRES® and VIGIL control units
N/A
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
PIA-F-10884
N/A
N/A
General purpose snap
Open when pulled from any
direction.
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
PIA-F-21840
Varies according to use and type
Different widths from 5/8" to 3", 1"
most common
Closure flaps, bridles, toggles
An extremely versatile fastener
material that comes in two types:
high tenacity/low frequency (of use)
and low tenacity/high frequency.
Specification:
Strength:
Identification:
Common Use:
Comment:
PIA-F-10884
N/A
Button marked with “pull-the-dot”
markings
Military container closure flaps
Open only when pulled from one
particular side.
Figure 3-89. Vinyl. Figure 3-91. DOT Fasteners, Durable.
Figure 3-90. Fastener tape, hook and pile, nylon (Velcro®).
Figure 3-92. DOT Fasteners, Pull-the-dot.
ball and shank design. The pins usually are one of two basic
designs: intermediate pin or terminal pin. The advantage of the
intermediate pin is that it can be visually inspected easily by the
rigger in the field. The end of the 7 × 7 cable can actually be
seen where it is ground off at the bend in the shank of the pin.
Metal ripcord assemblies are used on reserve and emergency
parachute systems and military mains. Main ripcords may also
consist of plastic handles and nylon coated cable without pins.
On modern sport parachutes, the hand deploy pilot chute
replaced the conventional ripcord, by either throw-
out or pull-out. These configurations use the curved or
straight locking pins attached to the pilot chute bridle.
[Figures 3-93 through 3-101]