COMPANION SQR User manual

1
V 2.3 EN
USER MANUAL

2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the SQR reserve system. We are confident that you will be pleased with it in every
respect. You can find a downloadable copy of the current version of this manual under
www.companion.aero/manual.
In this manual you will find the essential details you need to know about re-packing, storing, maintaining
and - if needed - deploying your reserve. Please read the manual carefully before first use, to familiarize
yourself with the features of your reserve system.
You can improve the reliability for your reserve system if you
•pack or re-pack it according to the instructions given in this manual,
•use the correct procedure when deploying the reserve, and
•care for and maintain your reserve and your flying equipment according to the instructions given in
this manual.
We wish you safe flights and happy landings!
The Companion Team
www.companion.aero

3
myCompanion ACCOUNT
Register your product in order to benefit from the unique services of your myCompanion account:
•Thanks to the packing reminder by email, you will never miss your yearly packing due date.
•You will get a warranty extension of one year beyond the required warranty period of your country!
•You can not only download all the information about your product, get important product related
info/updates and make support inquiries, but you can also manage your repack, including a
download of your packing log as a PDF.
•Your packing log will be automatically updated and sent to you by email after a new entry is made.
You or your packer can simply record the packings, successful compatibility tests, inspections or
repairs in the cloud by scanning the QR-Code on the certification label, or on the back of this booklet.
To register and create your myCompanion account, you simply scan the QR-Code on the certification
label or on the back of this booklet. Alternatively, you can also register on our website
www.companion.aero/register

4
DISCLAIMER
Free flying sports calls for appropriate training and a sound knowledge of the subject, as well as, of
course, the necessary insurance cover and licence. A pilot must be able to correctly assess the weather
conditions before taking off. Before every flight all items of equipment should be checked for damage and
airworthiness.
Every pilot bears sole responsibility for their participation in the sport. Neither the manufacturer nor the
seller of the reserve system can guarantee or be held responsible for the pilot’s safety.
INTENDED USE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
This reserve system is a specially designed, manually released, reserve parachute for Paragliding,
Powered Paragliding and Hang Gliding activities. The use of this reserve is not permitted in connection
with any other flying activity such as parachuting, skydiving and base-jumping!
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REPACKING AND INSPECTION DIRECTIONS
Every
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the reserve must be opened and aired, then repacked. This packing should be recorded
in the reserve logbook. A complete inspection of the SQR reserve system must be carried out every
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,
and be recorded in the logbook.

5
The required repacking interval may be reduced by extreme environmental influences like humidity,
sand, water, salt and other factors. If you are unsure about the effects of these, please ask a qualified
professional. The way to track the maintenance/rigging history of the reserve is its online logbook, which
will be automatically created for you when register the product (www.companion.aero/register).
In case of a
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, the wet reserve system should never be packed until it has air-dried
completely. If the reserve parachute is dried unevenly (lines or canopy), asymmetric shrinkage may occur!
The best procedure is to hang-dry the canopy upside-down, in a symmetric position (any distortions
should be avoided). Do not use any heat source or machine to assist drying!
If the reserve gets wet with sea salt water, the parachute should be rinsed out several times immediately
in fresh water and then dried! If a reserve is allowed to dry after salt-water immersion, the salt crystals will
damage the fabric and the lines, and this will compromise its airworthiness!
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If the canopy shows signs of mildew or mould its strength might be affected, so it must be sent to the
distributor or manufacturer for inspection.
The intended life period of the reserve is 10 years. Even if you have never thrown it, we advise that you
replace the reserve after this period.
In addition, if you reach any of the conditions listed below, you should send in the reserve system for a
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6
•20 deployments or
•40 re-packs or
•high speed deployment close to or above the intended maximum operating speed (115 km/h – 32
m/s – 71mph)
A factory inspection should be carried out only by a certified factory. Your local distributor will support
you in such a query. To ensure that the correct materials and techniques are used, any repairs should
only be carried out by the manufacturer.
STORAGE
The reserve should always be kept in a cool and dry place. Oil, grease, paint, solvents, acids and other
harmful substances should not be stored near the reserve parachute. For a long product lifespan avoid
unnecessary exposure to UV rays, heat and humidity. For maximum reliability throughout its entire
lifespan, always handle and maintain the SQR reserve with care. This advice applies whether the system is
mounted in your harness, or if you store it separately.
If you plan not to use your system for an extended period of time, you are advised to unpack the reserve
and store it loosely rolled up in a permeable bag.
After a long storage period (packed or unpacked) the canopy should be aired for 24 hours before re-
packing. The same applies if you have stored the reserve in an unsuitable environment.

7
DESIGNER NOTES
SQR - Square Round: The best of two worlds
The Hybrid SQR founds a new generation of reserve parachutes, which merges the advantages of the
classic round canopy and the cruciform version, to create an innovative and forward-looking technology.
The SQR has been newly developed from the start, and is precisely directed to meet the needs of pilots
and packers. Countless computer simulations and practical tests have been an essential part of an
extensive development process.
Advantages of the SQR at a glance:
•Improved opening behaviour, low descent values and high resistance to swinging as the result of
comprehensive practical tests and an aerodynamically refined canopy with optimized Air-Jets.
•Light weight due to careful choice of ideal materials and structure stiffness.
•Straightforward, reliable packing - similar to a round canopy – with comparatively few lines for easy
sorting, using practical packing aids and coloured packing guides.
•Not trimmed to track in flight.
•Tested for water landings! A mix of traditional and new materials with new low-shrink webbings
means that repeated full function is guaranteed after wet landings.
•Certified to both flight standards EN 12491:2001 and LTF NFL II 91/09 simultaneously, with the same
technical specs. for both standards!

8
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Picture 1 - General arrangement – Bottom view.
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CANOPY
ATTACHEMENT
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1.Bridle:
At one end this connects the reserve to the harness, at the other to the canopy attachment lines.
2.Attachment lines can be regarded as two main groups:
Base lines (all the same length for easy packing) connect the bridle to the edge of the canopy.
Centre lines connect the bridle to the apex (middle) of the canopy.
The two groups are made with different materials and diameters, so they can be easily separated.
The lines are sewn with different thread colours on the
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3.Canopy:
Main canopy: made from several panels, with one red corner panel to make packing and sorting
easier.
Reinforcement webbings: at the edge of the canopy, and in some well-chosen places at the top.
Air-Jets: ideally placed at the four corners, giving the system active aerodynamic stability.
Packing loops: numbered and coloured blue on the top of the canopy (see picture 1).
Differently coloured attachment loops:
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– these distribute the shock loading
at the canopy edge, and function as aids for sorting and packing, using the colours.

10
INSTALLING THE RESERVE
We recommend that you only allow a qualified person to install your reserve in a harness. To make sure
the installation will work a
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is essential!
Every reserve/harness/container combination has its own peculiarities. It is essential that pilots and
packers/riggers familiarise themselves with the system and how it works – especially if any part of it is
new (new reserve in existing harness or vice versa) – so that reliable operation can be assured.
There are several ways to combine the reserve with a harness or external (front) container. Please ask a
qualified person if you are unsure about the best solution for your harness/container system. The harness
manufacturer provides reserve installation instructions in the harness/container manual.
Doing a compatibility test
When any part of a harness/reserve combination is new or different, correct installation and functioning
of your reserve in its harness/container
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be verified with a test release, known as a
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– with the pilot sitting in the normal flying
position – and the harness suspended at its main carabiners. Any other test configuration is not
adequate.

11
For a successfully conducted compatibility test, you must be able to release and throw the reserve! For a
safe reserve release, the release force at the harness reserve handle should be between 4-8daN. If you are
unsure about your test results, please consult a qualified person.
Here are some factors which could prevent a safe reserve deployment, and so cause a failed compatibility
test:
•The volume of the reserve doesn’t match the allowed volume specifications for the
harness/container compartment, i.e. the reserve is too big or too small to fit safely into the system.
On the certification label attached to the reserve bridle you will find the packed volume for each SQR
reserve model. In your harness or container manual you will find information about its permitted
volume ranges.
•The reserve has been installed in a wrong layout/direction in the reserve compartment space. Please
refer to the harness/container manual!
•The reserve is not released/thrown using the correct technique.
•The reserve passed the compatibility test when first fitted into the new reserve/harness system, but
now it’s too big after a repack.
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12
•The pilot’s arm length can be a factor for successful reserve throwing. Small people with short arms
might sometimes not be able to release a reserve. Therefore, it is essential that the pilot flying the
harness makes the compatibility test. Testing different harness types – with different body positions
during flight – can help to find a solution, so that a successful compatibility test can be carried out.
•Throwing is attempted under high g-loading (> 3G, e.g. in a spiral).
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When the SQR reserve is installed in the harness, a suitable connector link should be used (minimal
breaking strength of 2500daN advised) for connecting the reserve bridle to the harness attachment
lines/webbing. These connections should be secured with a rubber ring, a neoprene socket or fixing tape,
against fraying. We advise to use the quick-link connectors Maillon Rapide from Peguet, please ask your
school or distributor where how to get them. Check if the connection link is tightened according to the
specification of the link manufacturer.
Direct connection between the bridle and the harness attachment webbing is not recommended, as a
wrongly installed knot could significantly weaken the system depending on the configuration!

13
Installation of the reserve in its own SQR container
The reserve is delivered from the factory in its SQR container. If your harness does not have its own inner
container for the reserve compartment, this could be the way to fit the reserve into the harness. There are
two different attachment points for attaching the SQR inner container to the harness reserve handle. The
choice depends on the shape and position of the reserve compartment in your harness. Please refer to
the harness manual. On the certification label attached to the reserve bridle you will find the datum
packing volume for each reserve model.
Picture 2 - Reserve handle attachment loops and bridle.
Handle attachment loops
Harness attachment
point
Certification label

14
The connection between the harness reserve handle and the inner container should never be under
tension when the reserve is in its installed position! Enough travel must be allowed for the reserve handle
to first freely release its closure loops before applying a pull on the container.
AACCOOMMPPAATTIIBBIILLIITTYYTTEESSTTIISSEESSSSEENNTTIIAALL,,TTOOMMAAKKEESSUURREETTHHEESSYYSSTTEEMMWWIILLLLWWOORRKK!!
Installation in a built-in harness compartment
If the manufacturer of your harness provides an inner container for the reserve compartment this could
be the best way to install the reserve in the harness. This manual (Closing the container section ) and your
harness manufacturer provide reserve installation instructions for correct fitting.
In this case the packed reserve is removed from its own inner container and fitted into the new harness
inner container. If this is not done carefully the reserve system may not function correctly, or conform to
its airworthiness requirements! Please ask a qualified person if you are unsure about the proper
installation process.
AACCOOMMPPAATTIIBBIILLIITTYYTTEESSTTIISSEESSSSEENNTTIIAALL,,TTOOMMAAKKEESSUURREETTHHEESSYYSSTTEEMMWWIILLLLWWOORRKK!!

15
Installation in an external (front) container
If your harness doesn’t have a reserve compartment, or you want to use an alternative method, you could
use an external (front) container to carry the reserve. In this case the outer-container has to be checked
for airworthiness and compatibility: it has to be certified, and be the right size for the SQR reserve. On the
certification label attached to the reserve bridle, you will find the suggested packed volume for each
reserve model.
Please ask for information from the container’s manufacturer or from a qualified professional.
A
A
C
C
O
O
M
M
P
P
A
A
T
T
I
I
B
B
I
I
L
L
I
I
T
T
Y
Y
T
T
E
E
S
S
T
T
I
I
S
S
E
E
S
S
S
S
E
E
N
N
T
T
I
I
A
A
L
L
,
,
T
T
O
O
M
M
A
A
K
K
E
E
S
S
U
U
R
R
E
E
T
T
H
H
E
E
S
S
Y
Y
S
S
T
T
E
E
M
M
W
W
I
I
L
L
L
L
W
W
O
O
R
R
K
K
!
!
USING THE RESERVE
Pre-Flight check
Before every flight the following should be inspected for maximum safety:
•Check that the reserve handle is correctly attached,
•Check for any visible damage that can jeopardize the airworthiness of your equipment,
•Check that the container or reserve compartment cover/closure is closed/secured correctly,
•It is recommended, early in each flight, that you briefly put a hand on the reserve handle – to remind
yourself of its location, and mentally rehearse the release/throwing action.

16
Deployment
In the event of emergency, please follow these steps to successfully deploy the SQR reserve:
•Grab the reserve handle with one hand vigorously.
•Pull the handle out firmly in an upwards/sideways direction to release the handle closure (or any
other type of handle securing system), and pull the inner container and reserve out of the harness
compartment or external (front) container.
•Throw the reserve
a
a
w
w
a
a
y
y
f
f
r
r
o
o
m
m
y
y
o
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u
u
r
r
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e
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l
f
f
a
a
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a
a
r
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a
a
g
g
l
l
i
i
d
d
e
e
r
r
as quickly and as forcefully as possible –
remembering to let it go! The reserve will then open!
•
I
I
t
t
i
i
s
s
s
s
t
t
r
r
o
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c
c
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m
m
m
m
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n
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d
d
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e
d
d
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h
h
a
a
t
t
a
a
p
p
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i
l
l
o
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a
c
c
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. The best way to do this is to stall the glider by pulling both brake handles down,
taking wraps as necessary. This will help to stabilize the combined system, and minimise
disturbances of reserve behaviour such as swinging, scissoring, downplaning, or drifting sideways.
•To avoid risk of injury, make sure that you do a parachute landing fall on landing, if possible.
•If landing in water you should be aware that the air volume inside the harness back protection
system can cause the harness to float and turn your head down in the water.
•After landing, make sure you control the reserve by pulling the apex of the canopy in with the central
lines if required. Strong wind can keep the reserve canopy inflated after landing and drag you across
the ground, perhaps causing injuries. Don’t forget to find and collect the reserve inner container - you
cannot repack the reserve without one. If you loose the container, please contact the reserve or
harness manufacturer to get a container that fits your system. Using a wrong container will affect the
airworthiness of your flying gear!

17
•After each deployment an inspection and correct re-packing of the reserve is mandatory! If the
possibility of damage to the reserve system cannot be excluded, a detailed inspection should be
carried out before repacking. If in doubt, please ask a qualified person.
RE-PACKING, RIGGING
Sorting the lines, preparing the canopy
Picture 3 – Loose canopy prepared for airing.

18
Extend the lines and shake out the canopy loosely. Remember that airing the canopy for 24 hours before
packing is always desirable (see picture 3).
Now is the time to check for obvious twists, line-overs etc., and it should be obvious if the bridle has
flipped through the lines. Now is the time to sort this out.
Arrange to have the red corner split panel on top. The line of symmetry for folding runs through the centre
of this panel and its white opposite number.
Find the packing loops at the top outside of the canopy, numbered and marked in blue.
Check that you have all the accessories and parts needed to pack the canopy: means of securing the
bridle end, packing line, container, line holder, packing sticks/clamps, new rubber bands (two different
sizes needed), etc.

19
Picture 4 - Packing line and loops. Red panel on top.
Use a packing line and lace up the packing loops in their number order. No.1 can be found just above the
red corner panel. Do not tension this line yet.
Make sure you have laced all the loops from 1 to 8 (SQR 100, SQR 120) or 1 to 12 (SQR 160, SQR 220) in the
correct sequence.

20
Picture 5 - Left and right base lines at the bridle. Four middle lines in the centre.
Secure the end of the bridle. Pick up the base lines for the left and right hand sides.
R
R
e
e
d
d
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. Keeping the lines under tension and parallel, walk along them to the canopy, keeping left and right
sides separated. This will separate the canopy as shown in picture 6 on the next page.
While you run the lines through your fingers, you can inspect them (the lines) for damage, dirt, etc.
The base of the canopy should look like this: