Accessory components are comprised of the reserve pilot
chute, reserve deployment bag or device, main deployment
bag, main pilot chute and bridle, main and reserve
toggles, reserve static line (RSL) lanyard, 3-ring release
handle, and reserve ripcord.
The reserve components generally do not suffer much
wear due to their infrequent use. In addition, with their
frequent inspection during the repack cycle, any necessary
repairs become obvious and are taken care of before
they become major problems.
1. Metal ripcords usually are not repairable and must be
replaced when they are damaged.
2. Reserve pilot chutes experience torn mesh, minor
canopy damage, broken hand tackings, and damaged
grommets in the cap.
The reserve free bag may have the grommets in the closing
flap pull out of the material. The high-drag bridle is a
critical area and is usually not repairable.
The RSL lanyard is another critical item that is usually
not repairable, except for the replacement of a defective
snap shackle.
Main components, on the other hand, are subject to extensive
wear and tear. Most jumpers do not take time to
inspect their main components on a regular basis and generally
operate on a “repair as broken” basis. By the time
the rigger sees the components, it is easier and more cost
effective to replace than to repair them. However, there
are regular wear trends that the rigger can make their customers
aware of so they can look for them and have them
taken care of.
7.4 The following are repairs to accessory components,
found in Section 4 of this chapter.
