Service and storage

Regular inspection

The secret of long-term and reliable usage of your equipment is in regular inspections and service. Usually Fire parachute system does not demand any special service if it is used and kept in proper conditions. Remember that you trust your life to the parachute equipment you have chosen so you are responsible for keeping it in optimal working condition. 

The optimal approach to control your parachute system is regular and detailed inspection. The recommended period for such inspection is once per month. The more often you employ your equipment the more often you have to inspect it. If you have detected any abnormal breakages or damages please contact your rigger to fix it immediately. If you have any questions or doubts – please contact your rigger or manufacturer for consultation.

Regular inspection should include all the parts of the parachute system, special attention should be paid to the following details:

 

Cutaway System of Main

Three rings, hoses, handle and handle’s pocket.

 

Reserve chute

Reserve chute Handle, loop, Reserve pin, ripcord, hoses, Reserve Chute container.

You are not allowed to make any repairs or improvements for these parts if you are not a certified rigger. But you may detect minor issues before they become real risk. Usual locations of damage: bends and raptures of the ripcord, tore or damaged loop, seams damages on the container.

 

Harness system

The harness system should be inspected regularly to detect any possible damage of straps or seams.

 

Main Chute container

Inspect plastic stiff part of the flaps and contact you rigger to replace the broken ones. Please replace all the damaged, deformed of shifted grommets.

 

Main Pilot Chute

Please check the central line – the tape that goes from the loops of the Pilot Chute fixation to the Pilot Chute handle. This should be strongly sewed in from the both sides. Inspect the Pilot chute and its’ netting. There should not be any holes or torn seams. Check the seam that connects the netting and the top part of the Pilot chute. If the netting is broken or wore, please replace the Pilot chute.

 

Main Chute Closing Loop

The container of the Main chute is closed with the loop made of Microline. It is exposed to constant wear and the loop breakage may cause unintended Main Chute opening and failures connected with that. Please replace the loop at the first signs of wearing out. The loop’s replacement will cost you less than any consequence of its’ breakage within a jump.

 

Risers

Regularly inspect your risers to detect any damages of closing loop of the Three rings, toggles, toggles state and the state of their pockets.        

 

Textile stickers

Regularly inspect your textile stickers usage in the structure of the container to detect any signs of wear or decay. Clean the ‘hooking’ part if it is dirty. If the sticker is not in working condition anymore, please contact your rigger to replace it.

 

Regular service

The cutaway system of the three rings needs to be serviced at least once in three months to ensure its’ correct work. This is especially essential if the system was not used within a long period, for instance, in winter. Immediate service is needed in case of landing in water, sand or after dragging over concrete/asphalt.

In case of system employment in high humidity, dust conditions or in regular subzero temperatures the frequency of service works should be increased.

1. Every three month maintain cutaway on land with full disconnection of risers and yellow cables drawing out of hoses. 

2. When the system is disassembled carefully inspect it in order to detect any possible defects. Inspect the white loop to ensure its integrity.

3. Inspect the stickers of the cutaway handle and on the pocket to ensure its’ working condition.

4. Inspect the ripcords ends. The ends must be neatly and smoothly sealed. In case of any damages please consult your rigger or the manufacturer.

5. Inspect the seams that connect the three rings, including the three rings seam on the harness system.

6. Make sure that the hoses of cutaway are connected on the pockets of the harness.

7. Take each of the risers. Work up the bottom part of the 3-ring area and the white loop to remove all possible deformations.

8. Inspect the hose to detect any possible deformations and damages of shell.

9. Clean and lubricate the yellow cables of cutaway with food grade silicone. Put a few drops on a clean paper napkin and rub the cables. There must be thin and invisible film, as the thick film will be decayed and sticky in conditions of subzero temperatures which may result in a hard the Main cutaway. 

10. Inspect the ends of the hoses. If they slip off the hoses it may cause unintended Main cutaway. 

11. If you have detected any damages please consult with SWS Company or with your rigger before further employment of the system.

12. Connect the risers after the three rings are assembled. Make sure that the canopy is connected correctly and the risers are not twisted.

 

Recommended periods of usage

Though SWS company does not set any limitations for Fire system usage, but we recommend to observe the following timelines for usage of its’ spare parts which is based on our experience of many years of usage:

Main PC of F-111	300 jumps
Main PC of ZP	400 jumps
Main Chute Bridle	400 jumps
Main Chute Container	500 jumps
Main Chute Risers	500 jumps

 

Container cleaning

Container cleaning may be local and general. 

Local cleaning

The local cleaning is needed after a shitty landing when only a local dirtying is to be removed.

The dirty spot should be dried (by rubbing the wet dirt you will only rub it deeper into material) and then cleaned off with a brash.

 

General cleaning (washing)

General cleaning means the cleaning of the whole container.

To do this all the equipment should be removed off the container (chutes, AAD, cutaway and reserve handles, and risers) and the container should be laundered in cool water with natural (not chemical) soap.

Then it is important to rinse the container 2-3 times in fresh water to wash off the residues of the washing substance.

Then the container should be dried in shaded, windy place.

Warning: it is strictly prohibited to dry the container in the sun (under direct sun rays)!

As there is a chance to damage the container within incorrect washing (for instance, the container may lose colors) we may recommend you to do it with the help of professional riggers. 

 

Storage

The parachute system in most cases is made of nylon. Though its’ high strength and resistance to external stresses it may be damaged by the following means:

 

Sunlight

Ultraviolet radiation may destroy nylon quickly and irreversibly. Expose you parachute system to the direct sun light as rare as possible.

 

Acids

Acids destroy nylon. Do not let acids contact your parachute system. Do not put in on the floor in aviation hangars, close to batteries and in other places where acids may be present. If some of acid has dropped on the container rinse it carefully with large volumes of warm soaped water. You may use baking soda to neutralize the acid. If the parachute system was damaged (or could be damaged) with acid, please deliver it to your rigger for careful and complete inspection.

 

Oil and grease

Most of oils do not cause damage to nylon, they just leave stains. With proper cleansing substances a rigger can clean it off.

 

Water

Water does dot cause damage to nylon directly. But long-term exposure to fresh water may weaken the load-bearing straps, some straps and fabrics may lose colors. Salt water causes damage to nylon as salt crystals emerge in its’ structure. If the container was soaked in salt water rinse it with large volume of fresh water as soon as possible. 

You should dry your parachute system in places with good air circulation and sunlight protection.

 

Decay 

Decay may damage nylon. If the container was dirtied wait till the decay is dried up and then remove it with a brash. Make sure that the three rings, the hose and the yellow cables of cutaway, reserve handles, and closing loops are clean. Consult your rigger if your system was dirtied badly.

 

Sand

Sand may cause damage to nylon very quickly. Long-term exposure to sand shortens the lifetime of the parachute equipment. If you are jumping in these conditions please use rigging tables to rig your chute.

 

Abrasives

Nylon may be damaged quickly if it was under exposure to abrasive materials. Avoid the systems’ dragging both within landing and rigging.

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