Chapter 2
HAND DEPLOY PILOT CHUTES
The hand deploy pilot chute was invented by Bill Booth
in 1976. There are two types of hand deploy designs. One
is the throw-out pilot chute (TOP) configuration. This is
the type where the pilot chute pulls the locking pin
located on the bridle. [Figure 2-40] The original design
had the pilot chute pouch mounted on the belly band.
Today the primary location is an elastic/Spandex® pocket
mounted on the bottom of the main container (BOC).
[Figure 2-41]
The second type is the pull-out pilot chute (POP) configuration.
This design has the pilot chute packed in the container,
which is locked with a straight locking pin
attached to a short lanyard and handle. [Figure 2-42] This
handle is usually mounted on the bottom corner of the main container. The parachutist grasps the handle and
pulls the locking pin from the locking loop and brings the
pilot chute into the airstream. The handle is usually
attached to the bottom of the pilot chute and as soon as
the chute enters the airstream, the handle is pulled from
the parachutist’s hand. This makes for a positive deployment.
The main drawback to this system is losing the handle
due to it being dislodged while moving around in the
aircraft or in the air.
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