There may be some air or puffiness in the canopy, but that’s fine right now.
For instance, you can lay 1 line over your index finger and another over your middle finger. Keeping the lines separated makes it easier to remove any twists and tangles.
Take your time and pause if you need to spend some extra time untwisting the lines.
The slider helps control the way air flows through the chute when it opens.
It’s common for the cells to tangle or fold into the canopy, so it’s important that you count and separate them. Most parachutes have 9 total cells, but some have 7.
Shaking helps to separate the fabric of the canopy.
The nose lined up with the center of the canopy.
Flaking helps to remove any folds that could affect how the parachute opens.
Some people call it “quartering. ” Spread out each of the 4 sections of the rectangular slider into the spaces between the lines.
Use 1 hand to hold the tail against the lines so it doesn’t come undone.
Your canopy should look like a smooth, uniform bundle.
Don’t just drop or flop the canopy down. Be as gentle as you can so it doesn’t come undone or get tangled up.
Don’t remove your weight from the canopy. Keep pressing on the fabric with your knees and forearms to keep it tight and controlled.
The canopy should be a tight little bundle of fabric.
If you try to pull the rubber bands to reach the grommets, they can break if they’re stretched too far.
When the parachute deploys, the stowed lines will separate from the rubber bands.
