Summary

summarize

The purpose of this test is to test extraction of the main parachute.  Tow testing is a relatively cheap and easy way to test this.

Introduction

Overview of how the test is run.

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Who is needed?

Driver, passenger, observer

Testing locations

Location requirements and weather dependencies: dry conditions, not too windy (<5 mph), at least a mile of runway to perform test

Locations: Berwick, Crow Island

Materials

list

1. 3 GoPro with mount - ask Sam Austin, Charlie Garcia, Maddie Garcia
2. 1000 ft. of line of breaking strength above 200 lbs
3.  Parachute
4. Parachute bag
5. 1/2 in. stake
6. Big hammer
7. 16 ft. of webbing (breaking strength > 300 lbs) to mount parachute bag
8. Cardboard box or camp stand
9. Printed copy of procedure
10. Line separator
11. Sand bags
12. Line to tie parachute for repacking
13. 4 quick links
14. Scissors
15. Lighter
16. Clipboard
17. Folding table to pack parachute on
18. Parachute packing procedure - parachute should not be connected to the bag
19. Tripods for cameras
20. Traffic cone/markers/stakes at 500 ft. and 1000 ft.
21. Thread

Setup

1. Contact whoever is in charge of launch/main test about rental cars (make sure the vehicle meets requirements)
2. Rent car

Packing:

• Bring parachute packing procedure - parachute should not be connected to the bag
• At least the night before, pack all of necessary materials
• Pack parachute on folding table

Selection location

Renting car and vehicle requirements: at least a mid-size SUV, 

People to contact about logistics

What to print before the test: procedure

Procedures

Preparing for the test

1. Print all necessary procedures
2. Check cameras (battery level and memory space)
3. Verify I know how to work slow-mo
4. Pack all necessary materials

Setting up the test

1. Use line to measure 1500 ft. of "runway"
2. Drive stake into the ground
3. Pack parachute
4. Mount parachute and camera to back of SUV
5. Place 2 cameras on tripods at the end of the line
6. Wind line in figure 8 by stake
7. Make a loop in the line to tie a piece of thread that is shorter than the line to the parachute 
   
   

Performing the test

Conclusion

Analyzing the results

• Inspect parachute for tears and burns
• Inspect bag for tears and burns
• When watching video, see if the lines come out before the parachute, how the unlocking of the locking loop worked, smoothness of extraction

Logging the test and results

• Make a wiki page

Variations on the test

• Short blurb about what else we could do with the tow test