How to pack a Fruity Chute

I've been asked many times what is the best way to pack a parachute. All I can do is show you what has worked well for me as a guide.

IMPORTANT: UNDERSTAND THAT WE MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY OR THAT IT WILL WORK IN YOUR CASE. AS ALWAYS YOU TAKE FULL RESONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOUR PARACHUTE IS PROPERLY PACKED AND THAT A SUTABLE DEPLOYMENT METHOD IS PROVIDED!

Now that this is out of the way we can begin! The example here is how I pack my 42" Holoday parachute to fit my EVE L1 / L2 rocket. This method works well on chutes in this size range. For chutes at 84" and larger we recommend a deployment bag. I constantly refine the method used as well, so in a few months this may not be my method!

42" parachute I'm packing.	Step 1 - Open and either lay out your parachute or "fluff" your chute.	Step 2 - Grab all the shroud lines and orgcanize the gores (panels) of the parachute.
Step 3 - Fold over the gores on both sides towards the center. You want to organize the chute untill it is about 15% of the diameter of the chute size. For a 42" chute it should be about 5" wide.	Step 4 - "Z" fold the chute into thirds.	Step 5 - Pull the fabric on the underside of the chute around the edged and onto the top. You want the fabric on the underside smooth with no folds.
Step 6 - Form a crease down the center of the folded chute.	Step 7 - Bring the shroud line bundle up the crease to about 1/3 or the distance from the end. IMPORTANT - Do not bring the shroud lines to the very end. It is important that you do not allow a shrod line to wrap over the end of the chute and possibly result in a tangle!	Step 8 - Now start to wrap the shroud lines around the chute. Note that the back of the chute is smooth with the material all pulled around into the crease.
Step 8 (cont) - As I wrap note how the lines are not twisted. IMPORTANT: Don't just grab the lines and wrap these like you might wind kite string on a spool. Each wrap will result in a twist!	Step 8 (cont) - Stop when you reach the end of the chute. IMPORTANT: Note that the shroude lines stop wrapping and exit on the same end as the lines connect to the canopy. Again this assurs that they can't wrap over the end of the chute.	Step 9 - Now you can pack your chute into the airframe. First put in your chute protector. I use a Fruty Chute Nomex protector for this.
Step 10 - Z-Fold your shock cord. IMPORTANT: Do not coil up the lines. They can form a knot.	Step 11 - Once you have Z-folded the shock cord wrap a little rubber band around it - loosly so it comes off easily. It's there to keep the cord organized.	Step 12 - I like to put the cord in first since most of it will be below the open chute.
Step 13 - Now push in the chute with the shoud lines going in last. Make sure the protector folds around the chute evenly so protection is maximized around the entire chute.	Step 13 (cont) - Be sure the last wrap of shroud lines goes in cleanly. If you have to force the chute in you probably have a problem.	Step 14 - Now quick-link the chute to your rigging and nose cone. Pop on your nose cone and your DONE!

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