Understand why it is critical to untwist your brake lines, and how often you should do it.
Why twisted brakes are bad?
Twisted brake lines are creating two major issues:
- It shortens its length, therefore gets your canopy out of trim: openings and overall piloting are going to be different from its original design. You are not having the full potential out of your canopy, which in extreme cases may lead to bad openings and/or difficult handling.
- Curling up your lines creates kind of a bumpy track for the slider when it comes down: this causes damages to the line fabric, which shortens your lines lifespan. Nobody likes when a steering line breaks while flaring.
How often shall you untwist your brakes?
Now you know why untwisting is so important, here are the best moments to do so:
- The last pack job of the day is ideal: you are not in the rush for the next load, so take a minute to untwist everything before packing. You’ll have a fresh safe set for tomorrow’s jumps!
- Every time you notice a lot of twists: don’t wait any further if twisting is obvious. You probably waited too long already! Checking our advices to prevent twisted brakes might come in handy.
- After a weird landing: either you crashed, your canopy felt over and you got entangled, you landed off zone and your canopy got stuck on top of a cornfield or other unpleasant situation, are keen on giving opportunities for your lines to life their own life! After body check and general gear check, check your lines before packing.
- On a weather day: you’re too busy looking at clouds, rain and wind? Take a brake & check your brakes! #MaintenanceOnWeatherDays
How to prevent your brakes from twisting?
The best care for twisted brakes is not to have them in the first place! Here are two simple good habits to adopt:
- Do NOT let go off your toggles after you grabbed them to release half-brakes: toggles flying in mid-air are going to spin around, which will generate twists in the break line.
- Store your toggles after landing: if you managed to keep them in hand for the full flight, don’t ruin everything now! Stow your half-brakes, or at least velcro your toggles or tuck them back in place before walking, dancing, hugging or celebrating your way back to the packing area. Otherwise your toggles are gonna take the ride and twist your brake lines before you know it!
What NZaerosports says about it:
Take care, and have great jumps!!
Aozora
The following warning is probably obvious for most people, but since you are dumb enough to jump off perfectly fine airplanes…
Those articles try to give simple explanations on gear and how it works.
For no reason, they can substitute for proper training delivered by skydiving schools or associations, nor manufacturer instructions.
Before modifying or replacing anything on your rig, make sure you have the required abilities and know-how, or ask someone duly qualified (instructor, rigger, senior rigger).
If you are still a beginner skydiver, your curiosity is warmly welcome. But please check with your certified instructors that you have fully understood the purpose and context, before considering any change of the procedures you were taught.
We are truly convinced that knowledge is a strength for mankind and its sacred emanation: the skydiver! But for the sake of their fate, critical thinking is necessary: please exert both with sagacity!
