Gear at freefly speeds

The freefly gear failure that comes up most often in the Australian record is the premature deployment. The same causes have repeated for more than a decade:

• A worn or loose bottom-of-container (BOC) pouch or spandex pouch let the pilot chute out.
• A hackey or pud was knocked loose in a dynamic body position.
• A closing loop was left too long.
• A cutaway handle’s Velcro let go in a vertical position.
• A bridle snagged during a linked climb-out.

None of these items had failed on the owner’s belly jumps. A sit or a head-down loads the container differently from belly flying, so a retainer that is worn but holding on belly jumps can let go on a freefly jump. Hired, borrowed and tired gear keeps turning up as the cause, especially a stretched spandex pouch.

The check

A freefly gear check is longer than a standard flight-line check. Each item is on it because of recorded failures at 250 km/h.

• Use a hand-deploy BOC or a pull-out, with a tight pouch. Test a “freefly friendly” pouch yourself: the pilot chute should stay put through a layout. A premature head-up pilot chute deployment happens fast, and most manufacturers do not rate their containers for deployment at freefly speeds.
• Check the bridle is fully covered, the riser covers and pin flaps are closed, and the closing loop is in good condition.
• Leave a leg-strap-mounted pilot chute off any freefly jump. In a vertical position it is an extreme hazard.
• Check the cutaway and reserve handles are secure. Velcro that has lost its grip can let go in vertical positions, and gripped exits can knock handles loose, so brief handle protection before every linked freefly exit.
• Fit a leg-strap bungee. Leg straps can slip behind your knees in a vertical position, and a jumper hanging by loose leg straps may not be able to reach anything. The bungee is on the list because of recorded cases.
• Wear a snug harness and chest strap, and a jumpsuit that is secured and covers no handles. Add a hard helmet, goggles, a visual altimeter and an audible that is set and working. An AAD is recommended.

Make it a habit

Check your own gear before every freefly jump, and cross-check your partner’s. In the aircraft, check pins, handles and the BOC again before exit, because a climb-out or a brush against the door can undo a gear check. On hired or borrowed gear, check the pouch and retainers first. That is where the incident record puts most of the failures.

---

Advisory, educational content. Gear standards vary by container and manufacturer. Have a rigger look at anything marginal, and follow your federation and drop zone.