Deployment

Deployment ends at what is called 'line stretch'. That occurs when the suspension lines and canopy have been extracted from the container and have come to a common velocity. The force at this point is called the 'snatch force'.

Modern systems stow the suspension lines and the canopy. The lines are rigged to unstow before the canopy unstows. Inflation occurs after full deployment of the lines and canopy. If it does not, then a disorderly parachute deployment and inflation occurs. This leads to malfunctions in many instances.

Line ties are used to keep the suspension lines in place until there is enough force to pull them out or break the line ties. In personel parachute systems, line ties are rubberbands or special locking stows made from bungy or rubber material.

Lines are stowed on the outside of a deployment device. The last, usually two stows, lock the deployment device shut. Once the last two stows have payed out, the canopy extracts from the deployment device. Pioneer made a Para-Opening Device (POD) in the early 1970's. This device is very much like a deployment bag.

A deployment device holds the parachute material that makes up the 'canopy' part of a parachute. A very simplistic explanation is that the canopy is folded or flaked in one direction and then S-folded in the other direction. More details are available in the Packing section.

Examples of Deployment Devices:

• Sleeve
• Diaper
• Security Thunderbow Deployment Bag
• Pioneer Para-Opener Device (POD)
• Ramair Tail Pouch