lolkie
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 11
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| | 12/18/08 at 05:05 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Good day.
I'd like to understand something about S-link's service life, please.
Is some rule about it? How many jumps? Years old? Or something else?
Thank.
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riggerrob
Moderator
Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 50
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| | 12/19/08 at 07:37 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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Hello lolkie,
I have never seen a written limit on S-Link life, so I just make an educated guess. Since S-Links are made of the same material (Spectra aka Microline) - and subjected to the same sort of abuse as suspension lines - I expect them to last as long.
In practical terms, I replace S-Links every time I re-line canopies.
I also refuse to swap old S-Links from one canopy to another.
If customers complain, I ask them to compare the cost of a ($25) set of S-Links with the cost of a reserve repack, replacement reserve pilot chute, reserve deployment bag, etc.
Rob Warner
FAA Master Rigger
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lolkie
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 11
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| | 01/03/09 at 10:19 AM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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Thank you.
Could you be so kind to tell me, how often do you change reserve S-links?
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riggerrob
Moderator
Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 50
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| | 01/04/09 at 09:25 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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I expect reserve S-Links to last as long as a reserve canopy, roughly 20 years or 20 deployments. |
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lolkie
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 11
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SHLOMOPEARL
Registered: 06/18/06
Posts: 41
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| | 01/30/09 at 12:49 AM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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 Hi
As Rob said replacing the Soft Links is a part of the reline process & that is my rule of relining a main ram air.
Also Soft Links might have a shorter life span by being damaged by the slider grommets or fast deployments - soft links should be inspected in between the main repacks & at each reserve repack or deployment.
Very important - hand tack the main canopy soft links to the risers loops or if PD SM-1 slinks are used you may use the Black Ty.17 risers covers if owner do not pull down his slider.
Be Safe !!!
__________________
Shlomo Pearl
Master Rigger |
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lolkie
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 11
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| | 02/02/09 at 05:09 PM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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Thank you for all posts...
I do handtack all time but what about reserve SR-1 etc.? Is safe do the same thing, pls or better is leave them without tacking?
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michaelted57
Registered: 02/13/07
Posts: 9
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| | 02/03/09 at 09:21 PM | Reply with quote | #8 |
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I hand-tack the Reserve slinks in the same manner as the Main slinks. This keeps the soft link in position during the repack and also in the case of a deployment. I must note that one should always make sure the suspension lines can be under tension without any tension being applied to the tacking. The tacking is there ONLY to prevent the soft link from slipping sideways and to prevent the tab from coming out of the loop in the riser webbing. If the tacking is strained when there is tension on the suspension lines it can fail, or damage the webbing, or both. |
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lolkie
Registered: 02/04/08
Posts: 11
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