Edit lesson

As part of our gear check, we will offer you a choice: keep your reserve packed according to manufacturer specifications or repack it for fa...

Part of EN certification for our reserves is a Shock Test. This simple test involves dropping the reserve from a helicopter with its maximum...

Like all strength tests, the certification must consider worst-case scenarios. In paragliding, there are two scenarios where we can theoreti...

There are several issues with this approach. First, as pilots, we prefer lightweight reserves, but lighter means less strong. Manufacturers ...

As pilots, we want to get the reserve out of the harness and as far away from us as possible, with the fastest possible opening. This is cru...

We'll discuss the specific differences during the course. For now, here are some comparison videos showing different packing methods.

Here’s the full video

In the picture, you can see that the reserve is not opening quickly. Looking closely, you can see that the leading edge (the fabric closest ...

Here’s another example, where a slow opening reserve, has been caught by the wing.

Here’s a video of Two Phase Opening - Click Here

The reserve flies away from the harness, the lines open first, this is the first step of opening, only once the lines are fully stretched, t...

This is what I mean by two-phase opening: the lines open first, followed by the fabric.

When the lines open first, they create momentum for the reserve and help it deploy. As the lines are opening, gravity adds to your initial t...

The Beamer 3 Reserves are factory packed for two-phase opening, these are bigger and stronger reserves, this is why they can pack them to op...

Beamer 3 manual en PDF file

To compare, you can have a look at Apco Mayday reserves packing manual.

manual mayday PDF file

When you fold the reserve on itself and fold the leading edge like this, it will slow down the opening a lot. Like you can see in the first ...

green You want the reserve to be as loose as possible, with multiple openings near the air intake, to help it open fast.

Here’s another example of folding on itself, one side of the reserve is aerodynamic, meaning that the air will freely fly around it and do n...

Manual-S-120 -E PDF file

Where an S like this will have air intake on both sides.

manuel sqr light2-FR PDF file

Here’s a simple S type of folding, this is quite a good way to do it, except for that the lines and fabric will be opening at the same time,...

In theory, repacking your reserve for fast opening carries a small risk of breakage during free fall. To minimize these extreme scenarios, r...

Full line breakage is extremely rare, as long as you fly recent wings and maintain them properly, this should not be a concern.