Jan 10, 2025

Rating Corner: Propeller Safety and SMS

Michael Knight
 

 

Keep an Eye Out | 3-Ring Flip-Through

Published on Friday, March 29, 2024

Keep an Eye Out | 3-Ring Flip-Through

Above: Photo by Erin Orwig.

In the loading area, ground crew noticed that two rings of this jumper’s 3-ring assembly had flipped through the large ring. Although this error—which usually occurs during packing—is more common on larger 3-ring assemblies and on tandem rigs, it can also happen with type-17 risers and their smaller rings.

Jumping a 3-ring system configured this way is extremely hazardous. Not only might it prevent the ability to cut away, it also drastically increases the chance that the riser will release on that side during opening or when under load due to the high forces causing failure of the fabric 3-ring-retainer loop or even the large ring itself.  One manufacturer noted that they had seen a 3-ring system “explode” on opening when configured this way.

A gear check prior to donning the rig would have caught this error. The biggest enemy in this sport is complacency. No one is invulnerable. Check yourself. Check each other. And if you see something, say something.

Rate this article:
4.2
Comments (0)Number of views (11569)
Print

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment
 
Photo by Javier Ortiz

Three trails flock across the sky during the Momentum Flock and Flow camp at Skydive Paraclete XP in Raeford, North Carolina.

Fyrosity

 

Fyrosity

Logan Donovan | D-31751
Profiles | Dec 01, 2017

Logan Donovan | D-31751

Seatbelt Usage
Safety Check | Dec 01, 2017

Seatbelt Usage

Friday, December 1, 2017

The Rating Corner | Dec 01, 2017

Gaining Experience

Peregrine

Practical Tips for Cloud Clearance
Features | Dec 01, 2017

Practical Tips for Cloud Clearance

Clint Vincent Retires (again)
Gearing Up | Dec 01, 2017

Clint Vincent Retires (again)

Container Lock
Keep An Eye Out | Nov 03, 2017

Container Lock

Innhopps

Winter Is Coming
Features | Nov 01, 2017

Winter Is Coming

Canopy Collision Decisions
Features | Nov 01, 2017

Canopy Collision Decisions

T.J. Hine | D-13580
Profiles | Nov 01, 2017

T.J. Hine | D-13580

AXIS

First140141142143145147148149Last