Help: Adding Static Line to Strong Parachute

[George Haeh]

Strong has been taken over by Paradigm. While Paradigm has been able to supply the static line parts, they have so far been unable to locate the instructions on how to add it to the parachute. Only the rigging instructions are available. 

If any of you know of a master rigger who has done this, it would really help if we could contact him. 

--

  George Haeh

  403-370-9033

  gh...@fastmail.fm

[Dave Nadler]

Contact Deborah Kelley at Strong/Paradigm in Orlando Florida.
Miss Kelley added the static line to my chute (and packed the one that saved me in 2018).

[Michael Opitz]

YO,

Is the static line packed inside the chute case itself, and do you recall (order of magnitude) how much they charge 

for this add-on?

Mike Opitz

RO

[Dave Nadler]

The static line is held in a flat package sewn to the back of the container.
I don't recall the price but it wasn't much.

[Charles Norman]

Strong added a static line to my 305 in summer of 2023. Installation of the static line and stow pouch by the factory was $196. I opted to add the 1" frog snap directional connector which was a further $30. Prices my have changed. If you're looking for a rigger, try Chris Howard at Prime Rigging. He has a good relationship with the factory and I am sure he can help you get this done. https://www.prime-rigging.com/

Make sure you specify which side of your chute you want the static line on. For my Discus 2 the static line connection is on the left side of the cockpit. Getting the line on the correct side of the chute will make it easier for you and your crew to connect and disconnect the line to the ship.

[Chip Bearden]

I recall warnings in the past not to simply clip a homemade static line to the ripcord handle on a parachute, in part because the force applied to the handle could be in the wrong direction and actually fail to extract the ripcord. 

Now as I read some of these accounts, it seems a lot of pilots are doing exactly that. So which is it: (a) have your rigger or the factory do the mod, or (b) just do a very careful job of preparing half a wingspan's worth of line (+ a little extra) with a quick-release connector at each end, install it in a container or package so the line will feed out smoothly, and go soaring? 

Or is this a case of "I can't recommend you do it but a good DIY static line is better than no static line at all"?

Chip Bearden

JB

[David S]

Over the winter I contacted Para–Phernalia for advice on a DIY static line.  They said they were working on a solution and directed to Chris Howard at Prime Rigging https://www.prime-rigging.com/.  Charles Norman mentioned Chris in a earlier post in this thread.

The Para–Phernalia static line attaches to the D-ring.  I have zero qualifications as a parachute rigger, but to my eye it is an elegant design assembled with excellent workmanship.  See photos. I also got the optional 5-foot tether that connects to the orange ring in the glider and stows in a side pocket, so I don't have to reach behind the seat to hook up for each flight.

While I do worry about various failure modes (like getting balled-up in the line or hit in the face with the D-ring), I guess I'm in the camp that says a static line is necessary even if it's not perfect.

Cheers,

   ...david

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[John DeRosa]

I too bought, and just this week installed, the same static line that David has from Prime Rigging https://www.prime-rigging.com/. $200.  Mine is slightly different than David's as my static line "container" is that it has the (zero cost) option that attaches it to the glider rather than to the parachute as David's does.  

In my case the "short" end of the static line is always attached to the static line ring in my '27.  The other "long" end is connected to the D-ring after I am in the cockpit. Reminder to self - update my check list!!  BTW: The clips shown at either end of the static line are quite secure as they do not simply snap to lock.  Rather there is a button to be pushed to lock and unlock. See my pictures.

Finally - I have created a "Bailing Out Successfully" presentation based on my 10+ interviews of glider pilots who had to done just that. Its an eye opener!  See http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#bailoutkit.

Here's to hoping I never have to use my new static line!!

- John (OHM)

[Nicholas Kennedy]

Ya Know

The static line sounds like a good idea until it doesn't.

You can be way out of control and what happened to a Hang Gliding buddy of ours was the bridle wrapped around his neck then snapped tight.

You can imagine what happened then.

Nick

A2