Winch parachute - becoming a rare species

[stefanoc2]

I just lost my faithful parachute of 17 years (it is flying somewhere north of Houston). So I decided to do a little looking on the internet but I can not seem to find one.
I contacted Don at Highlaunch, he is out and will not be getting new ones in. Tom at F3X is also out and no ETA.

What other sources can you think of?

[nlpken]

Check the Hose Monster website - I believe it is aerofoam.com. Our club bought several a couple of years ago - they are excellent.

Hope this helps.

Ken

[BenH]

Mr. Kite makes a great 'chute for winch use:
http://4mrkite.com/Chutes.html

-Ben

[slozuke]

I'll second the chutes from aerofoam. Bright flourescent orange with great reinforcements. Mine works great!

[LVsoaring]

Ditto to Ben's post. I have one of Mr. Kites chutes, it's top quality!

[jetmaven]

Got Mine From N.e.sailplane , No Problem . I Get Them 2 At A Time

[Soar_dude]

Sorry gotta ask how did it come off the winch line?

Soar Dude

[stefanoc2]

Well Mr. Soar dude, since you asked ...
Saturday around noon it was blowing 20 mph plus at our field in Houston, Texas. At the top of the launch, I stepped on the pedal and I witnessed what I believed to be a line break. I saw the chute flying back but could not keep an eye on it (there was nobody else at the field to help). I was surprised to find that the line had not broken in fact the swivel was still attached. What was missing was the chute and the welded ring.

I spent the next half our walking around and back as far as 1/2 mi but no sign of the chute.

[Soar_dude]

Wow a ring break now that's some force. :D

[Mr. Kite]

Thanks Ben The best way to get a hold of me right now is an Email or a PM Thanks Mr. Kite

[rogerflies]

Another vote for Mr. Kite. Light, strong, colorful, and very well made.

Roger

[mlachow]

Johnny Berlin usually has a bunch in stock.

[mlachow]

Broken rings are usually the result of enough years / times slamming the chute around/through the turnaround.

[mlachow]

If you don't need chutes in a rush, then buy some raffle tickets from the F3b site. Chutes are one of the prizes or you could be unfortunate and win a JR 12X or High End and any one of the other cool prizes.

http://www.teamusaf3b.com/raffle.html

[ClayH]

My buddy has a source for parachutes that don't use multiple strings from the chute to the ring. Imagine a parachute as two bowls, one facing up, one facing down. The bowl facing down is the traditional parachute and the bottom half of the chute is made of nylon mesh. This prevents the nose of the plane from possibly tucking into the chute lines and wrapping around the nose of the plane. I probably haven't explained this well, but I'll try to find a picture for you.

Clay

[RBMartin]

For parachutes that have lines we tape the lines togethor part way up to a point so they will not go over the nose. It can be a real problem if you launch with a nose grip throw.

Bruce

[SUNSQUINT]

I third the opinion on the HoseMonster chutes from Aerofoam.com...very bright, visible, and STRONG!!!

[John Walter]

Johnny Berlin usually has a bunch in stock.

Johnny has the best chutes I have seen. His were the only ones we used at the F3J WC in Turkey last summer.

[target]

I like the one that Clay uses.

Target

[schrederman]

Does Johnny Berlin have a website?

[ClayH]

Here's the chute from Johnny Berlin(aka RCButch). They come in TD and F3J sizes.No hooking the nose with these!

[mlachow]

Here's the chute from Johnny Berlin(aka RCButch). They come in TD and F3J sizes.No hooking the nose with these!

Those chutes are made by someone who also has made full size chutes. So same materials. Starter chutes are made this way. The F3j/b size chute actually has a one-piece forged ring on it, not a welded one.

Same chute that gets abused for a week every year at the LSF Nats. Except for when they break rings smashing them into turnarounds. Nats doesn't use retrievers for those who haven't enjoyed a week there. And anyone who has been to the Nats anytime in recent history knows Johnny.

He can also supply all your other "needs" like servos, etc.

[stefanoc2]

I received a new winch chute from Craig (MrKite) on Friday.

It is a very nice chute!!!

Craig had it in the mail the same day that I ordered it (I think it shipped even before receiving the PayPal payment). I am thinking of ordering a second one of smaller diameter to keep as backup.

Thank you Craig.

[FrogChief]

Another vote for Mr. Kite. Light, strong, colorful, and very well made.

Roger


I 3rd, 4th or even 5th Mr. Kite! Great guy and top-notch 'chutes! :D