Next: How to Pack a Deployment Bag
How to Quickly Pack an Elliptical Parachute
This method is typical for rocketry where you are packing in the field. Wrapping the lines around the Z-folded canopy will compress the parachute so that it fits without binding. If done carefully, it will give you a tight pack and a reliable deployment. However, it is critical to wrap the lines carefully!
Also see: How To Fold a Parachute - Use this pictorial to see the best practices for folding and preparing the Iris Parachute for packing into any type of vehicle.
NOTE: If you are packing the Skycat or Harrier launchers, then please refer to the help files for these products. You can see how to pack the Peregrine UAV Canister here.
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!
Pictorial:
In this Pictorial, I show how I like to pack a 42" elliptical parachute to fit my EVE rocket. The EVE is a 2.6" diameter rocket, so the parachute needs to be packed tight. This method works well on parachutes up to about 84". For parachutes at 96" and larger, we recommend a deployment bag. It is the same as how I fold the Iris Ultra parachute in the video once the shroud lines are shaken so the lines are fully extended.
42" parachute I'm packing.
Step 1 - Open and either lay out or "fluff" your parachute.
Step 2 - Grab all the shroud lines and organize the gores (panels) of the parachute.
Step 3 - Fold over the gores on both sides towards the center. You want to organize the parachute until it is about 15% of the diameter of the parachute size. For a 42" parachute, it should be about 5" wide.
Step 4 - "Z" fold the parachute into thirds.
Step 5 - Pull the fabric on the underside of the parachute around the edge and onto the top. You want the fabric on the underside to be smooth with no folds.
Step 6 - Form a crease down the center of the folded parachute.
Step 7 - Bring the shroud line bundle up the crease to about 1/3 of 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 shroud line to wrap over the end of the parachute and possibly result in a tangle!
Step 8 - Now start to wrap the shroud lines around the parachute. Note that the back of the parachute 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 parachute. IMPORTANT: Note that the shroud lines stop wrapping and exit on the same end as the lines connected to the canopy. Again, this assures that they can't wrap over the end of the parachute.
Step 9 - Now you can pack your parachute into the airframe. First, put in your parachute protector. I use a Fruity Chutes Nomex protector for this.
Step 10 - Z-Fold your shock cord. IMPORTANT: Do not coil up the lines as they can form a knot.
Step 11 - Once you have Z-folded the shock cord, loosely wrap a small rubber band around it so that it comes off easily. It functions to keep the cord organized.
Step 12 - I like to put the cord in first since most of it will be below the open parachute.
Step 13 - Now push in the parachute with the shroud lines going in last. Make sure the protector folds around the parachute evenly so that protection is maximized around the entire parachute.
Step 13 (cont.) - Be sure that the last wrap of shroud lines goes in cleanly. If you have to force the parachute in, you probably have a problem.
Step 14 - Now quick-link the parachute to your rigging and nose cone. Pop on your nose cone and you're DONE!