Chapter 3
RIPCORDS, CABLES, AND SWAGES
The standard ripcord used today on most parachute systems
consists of a metal handle, stainless steel cable, a
terminal ball, and one or more pins swaged onto the cable.
The handles come in various shapes and sizes. The terminal
ball may be of several configurations such as a ball
and shank design. The pins usually are one of two basic
designs, either the elbow pin or the terminal pin. This
basic configuration is used primarily on reserve and emergency
parachute systems. 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
3-90 through 3-96]
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