Pilot Chutes

This is not a discussion on the reserve pilot chute.

What is used to extract the pin, and d-bag, from the main pack tray.

Material

F-111

In theory, it provides less oscillation during deployment. Consider if you only do hop&pops or are already flying a very large wingsuit.

ZP

ZP (Zero Porosity) provides quicker extraction during deployment. As the material wears, it will start to function like F-111. Has ~2x the lifespan of an F-111 pilot chute.

Handle

Plastic (PVC) Handle

The default/free handle. Typically bright orange.

Free-fly Pud

The most common handle for new containers. Low profile. In the shape of a triangular prism. Note: You do not grab these as expected - rather you cup your hand long-ways like so.

Hackey/Monkey Fist

A round ball. Hackeys are made with leather, while paracord is used for monkey fists.

Pull-out Pad

A flat, rectangular pad, only seen on pull-out systems.

Handle Tuck Tabs

Highly recommended. Required to free-fly. They significantly lower the chance that your handle will come loose when in the plane/sky. Have yet to see a good reason to get none or 2. The tuck tab will slide into a pocket beside the BOC (or a partitioned bridle channel). If you're afraid that you won't be able to deploy, just practice on the ground first.

Bridle Length

The length of your bridle should be just long enough for it to extend outside of your burble. Wingsuitters will use a longer bridle, as they have more surface area, and therefore a larger burble. The downsides of getting a longer bridle for non-wingsuitters are packing annoyance (as with most WS options), and more bridle flapping around in the wind at risk of entanglement/knotting.

Size

The size of your pilot chute determines the pull force on your packjob. Smaller canopies/containers will use a smaller pilot chute (for example).

The fabric of your pilot chute also can influence the size, since ZP is less porous than F-111. Regardless, either measure your container's current PC if replacing, or ask the manufacturer what size they recommend.

Kill-line

Also known as centerline

Made from Spectra, it will shrink over time. This is also why you will need to re-mark/color the window on your bridle over time.

Non-collapsible

Made just for student setups, these will leave the pilot chute inflated after opening. The benefit being that they do not need to be re-cocked after every jump.

Is it cocked?

Look inside the pilot chute. If the center tape is taught, while the kill-line is loose, then it is cocked.

Pull-out System

Almost all pilot chute systems today are throw-out. Pull-out systems are extremely different:

Image of a pull-out system - straight pin, flat handle, and PC attachment point to the bridle.
A pull-out system.

Tradeoffs

The benefit of fully protecting your PC from accidentally catching air from mid-air contact comes with some additional considerations:

You should also consider the attachment point of the PC. Some have moved the attachment to the top of the PC instead of the bottom to reduce the snatch force.

Historical

Spring Pilot Chutes

Replaced by the more aesthetic throw-out system instead.

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