United Parachute Technologies Vector 3 - Inspecting Your Vector 3

VECTOR3MANUAL
MAN‐004REV7.2787/20/2017
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MAINTENANCE & CARE
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INTRODUCTION
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Thesecrettoextendingthelifeofyournewharnessandcontainersystemisperformingperiodicinspectionsand
maintenance.Theinspectionsandmaintenancethatwillbediscussedgobeyondanormalgear‐checkbeforeboarding
aplane.Undermostcircumstances,theVector3requiresverylittlemaintenanceunlessitis
subjectedtoabnormalor
harshconditions.Remember,youentrustyourlifetotheskydivingequipmentyouhavechosen.Itisyour
responsibilitytoensurethatequipmentremainsinoptimumworkingorder.
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INSPECTING YOUR VECTOR 3
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Thebestapproachtorigmaintenanceistospendafewminutesperformingaperiodic,detailedinspectionoftherig.
Theinspectionshouldbeperformedatleastoncepermonth.Obviously,themoreyouuseyourequipment,themore
frequentlyyoushouldinspectit.Ifanywearordamageis
found,haveitfixedimmediately.Inaddition toinspecting
therigyourself,askyourriggertoinspecttheentireassemblyeverytimethereserveisrepacked.IfyouhaveANY
questionsregardingtheconditionofyourharnessandcontainersystem,donothesitatetoaskariggerorthe
manufacturerto
inspectit.
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GEARINSPECTIONSSHOULDCOVERALLPARTSOFYOURHARNESSANDCONTAINERSYSTEM,WHILEPAYING
PARTICULARLYCLOSEATTENTIONTOTHESEAREAS
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CutawaySystem‐Refertothe3‐Ringsectioninthischapterfordetailedinformationoninspectingthe3ringreleases.
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ReserveSystem‐Thisincludesthereserveripcord,
closingloop,pins,handle,housing,containerandassociated
sewing.YoushouldNOTattemptanyrepairsormodificationstoANYoftheseitemsunlessyouareanappropriate
certifiedrigger.Youcan,however,identifysmallerproblemsbeforetheybecomemoresevere.Someitemstolookfor
wouldincludekinksinthe
reserveripcordcable,frayedorwornclosingloop,frayedstitchingonthecontainer,etc.
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Harness‐Theharnessshouldbeinspectedperiodicallyforbrokenstitchingorfrayedwebbing.
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MainContainer‐Inspecttheplasticstiffenersinthecontainerflapsandhavereplacedanythatarebroken.Replace
anygrommetsthataredeformed,
nicked,damaged,orthatarepullingoutoftheirsetting.
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MainPilotChute‐Checkthecenterline(thelengthofnylonlineinsidethepilotchutethatextendsfromthehandleto
thebase)ofthemainpilotchute.Itmustbefirmlysewnateachend;theremustbeno
brokenstitchesortornfabric.
Inspecttheseamthatjoinsthepilotchutemeshtothepilotchutefabric.Ifthemeshistornorbadlyfrayed,replace
thepilotchute.
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ClosingLoop‐Themaincontainerisheldclosedwithaclosingloopmadeofnylonsuspensionli ne sheathing.This
loop
issubjecttowear.Ifitwearsoutandbreaks,themaincanopymayreleaseprematurelyandamalfunctionmayresult.
Replacetheclosingloopuponthefirstsignofwear.Aclosingloopisalotlessexpensivethansomeofthepossible
consequencesofaprematureopening.
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