Chapter 2
CANOPY DESIGN
Accomplished design skills are not necessary for the rigger
to properly service parachutes. The skills involved to
become a designer can take several years of training and
practice. It is necessary, however, that the rigger understands
some of the basic concepts to relate the performance
characteristics to the design theory of the
components involved. For the average rigger, these concepts
are accepted as those proven and tested in the finished
product. The following are specific areas that the
rigger should understand to determine the identity, function,
and assembly of parachute components and their
interaction.
NOMENCLATURE
All riggers should become familiar with Parachute
Industry Association (PIA) Technical Standard 100 (TS- 100), Standardized Nomenclature for Ram-Air Inflated
Gliding Parachutes (See Appendix I). This document is
the official language and terminology used for ram-air
parachutes. It specifies the parts of the parachute, the
various construction methods, and the seam configurations
used. This is necessary for the rigger to understand
the manuals and repair procedures provided by the manufacturers
for their products.
Figure 2-4 identifies the components of a typical round
emergency parachute. The nomenclature of this design has remained constant for several decades with a few
exceptions. While some riggers who skydive think that
the square parachute has replaced it, the round parachute
still has many uses and in certain instances fulfills some
mission requirements better than the square. Poynter’s
Parachute Manual, Volume 1, Chapter 8, provides an
excellent discussion of the design parameters and characteristics
of round parachutes for those needing more technical
background.
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