Summary
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
The tow test will be performed by tying the parachute bag to the back of an SUV, accelerating up to terminal velocity, and filming parachute extraction. A line will connect the parachute to a stake in the ground.
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
- 3 GoPros with mounts - ask Sam Austin, Charlie Garcia, Maddie Garcia
- 1000 ft. of line with breaking strength above 200 lbs
- Parachute
- Parachute bag
- 1/2 in. stake
- Big hammer
- 16 ft. of webbing (breaking strength > 300 lbs) to mount parachute bag
- Cardboard box or camp stand
- Printed copy of procedure
- Line separator
- Sand bags
- Line to tie parachute for repacking
- 4 quick links
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Clipboard
- Folding table to pack parachute on
- Parachute packing procedure - parachute should not be connected to the bag
- Tripods for cameras
- Traffic cone/markers/stakes at 500 ft. and 1000 ft.
- Thread
Setup
- Contact whoever is in charge of launch/main test about rental cars (make sure the vehicle meets requirements)
- Rent car
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What to print before the test: procedure
Procedures
Preparing for the test
- Print all necessary procedures
- Check cameras (battery level and memory space)
- Verify I know how to work slow-mo
- Pack all necessary materials
...
- Start near stake
- Drive up to 80 mph (passenger serves as back-up navigator)
- Cameras film parachute extraction
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
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