Stroud "deployment Bags"

[Stan Back]

I took Froyd to lunch.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Who you calling a jerk, boy?

[racergeo]

  Ours only last one run unless we repair it with a bunch of duct tape. Seem to keep them together for a whole meet.

[Gwillard]

We go through a bunch. Trashed four in one day at the Shootout but it got us our record. (Pending FIA certification. Tax, title, registration not included. Side effects may include but are not limited to: Low bank accounts, sunburn, alcohol consumption, and unexplained abrasions about the cheek bones. Your mileage may vary.)

[robfrey]

Thanks for all the help guys! BTW what is retail on those bags and are they difficult to change? They look difficult.

[jimmy six]

OK I get it, but I'm not going to "buy" it. I'll agree with hitting harder when you get higher up in speeds but as we did I just tied up the shroud lines closer to the chute and it hit "softer". Ours is also not crammed in. The chute is folded in a back and forth lap and the lines are coiled starting with a 9" diameter and slowly making it smaller. laying the chute on top of the lines then the pilot last...Just works for us..........................thanks for the info.JD

[SPARKY]

one of the attachment loops is big enough to pull the pilot through..

[Bob Drury]

  I can't find anything anymore, including my receipts from Stroud, but I think the bags are less than forty bucks apiece, and as I stated earlier, I think they were two for one last winter.........Bob

[John Burk]

Do the bags rip or get wear holes ?

[doug odom]

Mine have just worn spots in them from dragging on the salt. They are made of a canvas type material and don't rip easily. While we are on the subject of chutes. I think it is a good idea to get one of those little video cameras and mount it facing backwards. That way you can see for yourself what the chute is doing and they don't cost much.

[SPARKY]

John,  my experience is they wear into a rip--first two or three deployments just abrasions---then tape and more tape--Ihavent used duct tape but may start. IF I do I will for sure spray the inside of my tube with silicone spray to keep the sticking in tube to a minimum.

[F104A]

We began using a deployment bag in 2004 on the lakester at Bonneville. We also use deployment bags on the Eagle. Before using the bags the chute opening shock would really bang hard and the chute would wag the tail of the lakester. Now, the opening load is so much smoother and reliable. On the Eagle we pack the 8' high speed chute in one compartment of the bag and 150 of riser line in the secondary compartment. We deploy with an air charge that gets the bag out about 30 feet. Also use a drogue chute to keep pulling the bag farther into the air stream. We also have assister pockets on the bag to catch air and pull the bag so the riser line deploys out to full extension. At full extension the bag slips off the chute, the parachute then continues to stretch out. We bundle the lines of the chute with cotton string so it doesn't snap open. When it finally opens, it is smooth as silk. We make our own bags so we have spares when we wear them out. We also sew a cotton sleeve over the riser line to protect it from ebrasion while dragging along behind the car. In the lakester, I use a 10' diameter fire bottle with the end cut off and a trap door to keep the chute inside. I have a drogue chute spring in the base of the container that the bag is squashed against with another drogue chute tagged to the chute to pull the chute out of the container. Since doing all that, I haven't experienced even one failure. It works for me!

[robfrey]

F104A, can we see some pics of that set-up?

[F104A]

I'll run up to the shop and take some photo's and post them.....Ed

[SPARKY]

ED  thanks---looking forward to seeing them