{"id":46402,"date":"2023-08-24T15:16:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T15:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=46402"},"modified":"2023-08-31T11:31:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T11:31:11","slug":"slider-stowage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/slider-stowage\/","title":{"rendered":"Slider Stowage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pete Allum runs through everything you could ever want to know about your slider\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  • What\u2019s it for?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • When should you start collapsing it?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • Why jump a removable slider?<\/span><\/strong><\/li>
  • How to collapse or remove the slider<\/span><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Stowing your slider improves canopy performance but you must be aware of traffic
    Photo by Pete Allum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Let\u2019s start by looking at why we have that rectangle of nylon above our heads\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    Slider function<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Back in the days before colour TV, ram-air parachute manufacturers tried a number of different techniques to slow the openings down. Without some help these wings wanted to crack open pretty dang fast (watch a slider-down BASE opening), causing severe injuries to the operator on all terminal jumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After playing with a number of designs, the slider became the easiest and safest option. The slider’s job is to keep the canopy in a semi-open state, rather than allowing it to slam fully open then, after there is pressure on the lines from above, the slider obeys its name and slithers down the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Slider drawbacks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Once the slider has fulfilled its purpose it can become a nuisance; it flaps irritatingly in your ears, blocks your vision, creates drag (therefore reducing speed and potential for lift) and on smaller wings can distort the shape of the wing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On a larger canopy designed for a student, the slider can happily sit flapping away at the top of the risers for a few jumps while you deal with the higher priorities of surviving. On heavier loaded, high-performance wings, the slider grommets can also damage the lines in this position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • \"\"
      Collapsible PD Slider <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
    • \"\"
      Pulling the drawstrings collapses the slider. Photos by Pete Allum<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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      Slider Management Level 1 \u2013 Collapsing it<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      When should you start to think about collapsing your slider?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once you have graduated from your course and are ready to take more control of your canopy, you may notice that there are two bits of string hanging out of the back of the slider, don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t see them, not all canopies have them. If you do see them, grab the ends of the string and pull until the little barb stops it from going back in, therefore keeping the slider collapsed. This will reduce the distraction and some of the drag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If you have no slider bumpers (or little black hats – for slinks), the slider may annoy you as it keeps wanting to slide down towards your toggles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You should be able to pull the drawstrings and collapse the slider, whilst you are fully aware of your surroundings and altitude (TAP). Please only try this on a solo jump with plenty of time to practise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Congratulations, you just chose to become more in control of your wing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Level 2 \u2013 Slider down the risers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The next stage of slider management may not be necessary for you and your wing, for example if you are jumping a 1.1 or lighter loaded wing and\/or participate in big-way events that require 100% focus after opening to avoid traffic, even pulling on the drawstrings can be challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The next possible step; some of you may decide to jump a more heavily loaded, or higher-performance wing at some point in your career and, as mentioned previously, the slider can reduce the performance of that wing, especially if it is up at the end of the risers, resting on the slinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This step needs to be practised on the ground with your open canopy: Slide the slider grommets over the rear slinks (if you cannot, do not proceed to the next step) and over your set<\/em> brakes, without dislodging the toggles or getting entangled in your spare brake line, then pull the front grommets down so that you now have your slider resting in the V of the risers, now do it 10 more times!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      When you first try this in the air, I highly recommend a solo jump, a hop n pop or higher pull, so that you can struggle on your own rather than being a danger to others, you may even abandon the first attempt and have to practise more on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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