Performance Variable Rush 90 User manual

Date: 10.12.2004 Manual
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Performance Variable e.K. Am Tower 16, 54634 Bitburg
Performance Variable e.K.
Am Tower 16
D-54634 Bitburg
Ph/: [phone]
[email protected]
www.myskyshop.de

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Performance Variable e.K. Am Tower 16, 54634 Bitburg
CONTENT PAGE
RUSH Reserve Description, Specifications 4
RUSH Reserve Trim Chart 4-5
Manufacturer Authorization 6
Statement of Compliance, Disclaimer – No Warranty, Warning 7
About this Manual 8
Read Before Assembly or Use 8
Picking the right Canopy 9
Flight Characteristics 10
Inspection Instructions, Permeability Check 11
Visual Inspection 12
Assembly Instructions, Attaching to Risers, Attaching Toggles 15-17
Maintenance & Repairs 18
Canopy Care & Use 19
Packing the Reserve (Illustrations 1–20) 20-26
Installation of Performance Designs Soft Links 14
Table of Contents

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Performance Variable e.K. Am Tower 16, 54634 Bitburg
Type Reserve Canopy – Rectangular
Number of Cells 7
Production Technique I-Beam Chord Wise
Manufacturer (LBA.G.0139 / JAR-21 G) Performance Variable, Germany
Suspension Line Links Stainless-steel Mini Link or Soft Links
Canopy Material Nylon 0-3cfm Fabric (F-111)
Suspension Lines Spectra/Micro & Dacron Lines
LBA as NAA JTSO – C23d LBA.O.040.014/08 JTSO
RUSH Reserve Description
Technical Specifications
Deployment System
This parachute has been tested using a free bag deployment system. No other deployment method has
been tested, nor is any other method authorized by the manufacturer.
7-cell rectangular parachute of F111 fabric in I-beam/chord-wise construction.

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Canopy Size (Rush):
90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 300
XXS
X X
XS X X
SS X X
S X X
M X X X
L X X
XL X X
XXL X X X
Container Size (Omega):
Model Size weight: Student Beginner Intermediate Expert Exit weight
sqft. kg weight max:
kg / lbs.
weight max:
kg / lbs.
weight max:
kg / lbs.
weight max:
kg / lbs.
max.
(kg / lbs)
Rush 90 90 2,5 kg
Not recommended Not recommended 50 / 110 65 / 143 95 / 290
Rush 110 110 2,5 kg
Not recommended Not recommended 60 / 132 70 / 154 95 / 209
Rush 130 130 3,0 kg
Not recommended Not recommended 70 / 154 78 / 172 105 / 231
Rush 150 150 3,0 kg
Not recommended 65 / 143 75 / 165 90 / 198 110 / 243
Rush 170 170 4,0 kg 70 / 154 80 / 176 90 / 198 105 / 231 110 / 243
Rush 190 190 4,0 kg 85 / 187 90 / 198 98 /216 115 / 254 115 / 254
Rush 210 210 4,5 kg 95 / 209 100 / 220 105 / 231 115 / 254 115 / 254
Rush 230 230 5,0 kg 105 / 231 105 / 231 115 / 254 115 / 254 115 / 254
Rush 250 250 5,0 kg 125 / 276 125 / 276 125 / 276 125 / 276 125 / 276
Rush 270 270 6,5 kg 135 / 298 135 / 298 135 / 298 135 / 298 135 / 298
Rush 300 300 6,5 kg 150 / 331 150 / 331 150 / 331 150 / 331 150 / 331
Compatibility Chart

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Disclaimer - No Warranty
Because of the unavoidable danger associated with the use of this parachute, the
manufacturer makes no warranty, either express or implied. It is sold with all faults and
without any warranty of fitness for any purpose.
The manufacturer also disclaims any liability in tort for damages, direct or consequential,
including personal injuries resulting from a defect in design, material, workmanship or
manufacturing whether caused by negligence on the part of the manufacturer or
otherwise.
By using this parachute assembly, or allowing it to be used by others, the user waives
any liability of the manufacturer for personal injuries or other damages arising from such
use.
If the buyer declines to waive liability on the part of the manufacturer, buyer may obtain a
full refund of the purchase price by returning the parachute before it is used to the
manufacturer within 15 days from the date of the original purchase with a letter stating
why it was returned.
WARNING!
Each time you use this parachute you risk serious bodily injury or death. You can
substantially reduce this risk by: (1) assuring every component of the parachute system
has been assembled and packed in strict compliance with the manufacturer's
instructions, (2) by obtaining proper instruction in the use of the rest of your equipment,
and (3) by operating each component of the system in strict compliance with the owner's
manual and safe parachuting practices.
However, parachute systems sometimes fail to operate properly—even when properly
assembled, packed and operated—so you risk serious injury and death each time you
use the system.
Statement of Compliance
The policies contained herein comply with the JAR Aviation Part 21.

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It is beyond the scope of this manual to teach you how to deploy, fly, land or maintain this
parachute. The U.S. Parachute Association publishes recommended procedures on
learning to jump and using skydiving equipment. We urge you to learn and follow these
procedures. We also recommend you obtain instruction from a competent USPA-rated
instructor before using this parachute for the first time
Other countries have similar organizations. If you are not in the USA, get instructions
from a competent instructor who is rated by your country's organization.
Jumping this parachute without first receiving thorough and personal instruction
increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Sport parachuting technology and procedures continue to develop rapidly. Although
reasonable care has been made in the preparation of this manual, PV cautions that it
may contain information that may be incorrect or behind current, state-of-the-art
parachute use.
For these reasons, we urge you to work closely with qualified experts (riggers and
instructors) to help you inspect, assemble, pack, use and maintain this parachute. We
also welcome your comments, positive and negative, about our products.
Since parachutes are manufactured and inspected by people, there is always a
possibility this parachute contains defects as a result of human error.Therefore, the
entire parachute system—main and reserve canopies, harness, container, and other
components—must be thoroughly inspected before its first use and before each
subsequent use.
Parachutes get weaker through time for a number of reasons. They receive wear during
packing, deployment and landing. Exposure to many agents, including sunlight, heat and
household chemicals, significantly weakens parachutes. The damage may or may not be
obvious.
To help minimize the risk of parachute failure and possible serious injury or death, the
entire parachute system should be thoroughly inspected at least every 120 days or 50
jumps, whichever comes first. It should be immediately inspected if at any time it is
exposed to a degrading element or unusually hard opening or any time damage may be
suspected.
Remember that some chemicals will continue to degrade the parachute long after initial
exposure. Regular and thorough inspections are necessary to insure the structural
integrity, reliability and flight characteristics of the system are maintained.
Always know the entire life history of every part of your parachute system. That way you
will know no part has been exposed to an element that may seriously weaken or damage
it.
About this Manual
Read Before Assembly or Use

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It is important for your safety and enjoyment that you match your canopy with your ability
and weight. PV canopies are built in several models that span a wide range of canopy
surface area. Any canopy's descent rate and forward speed increases as the weight it is
carrying—the so-called exit weight— increases. The canopy also becomes more
responsive as forward speed increases. It also reacts more radically when it is stalled or
turned.
Because of these aerodynamic facts, it is unsafe to put too much weight under any
particular canopy. Safe and comfortable landings will be difficult to obtain, even for
experienced jumpers under ideal conditions. Less experienced jumpers will have even a
harder time and be at greater risk.
Determining the wing loading of the parachute you intend to jump or buy is a good guide
to match your weight to a particular canopy.
Wing loading is easily calculated by dividing the total exit weight in pounds by the surface
area of the canopy in square feet. Total exit weight is the weight of the jumper plus all
his clothing and gear, including the main parachute itself.
The surface area of PV canopies is printed on the data panel, on the center cell rib or on
the center cell top surface near the tail. (Be sure to actually check the data panel—
canopies of different sizes may look the same.)
A typical ready-to-jump sport piggyback (rig and both canopies) weighs 20 to 30 lbs. Add
this, plus the weight of your jumpsuit, clothing and accessories to your body weight to get
the total suspended weight.
For example, a jumper who weighs 165 lbs. wearing his jumpsuit and who jumps a
packed rig that weighs 25 lbs. would have an exit weight of 190 lbs.
Picking the Right Canopy

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Even if you are familiar with ram-air parachutes, including PV canopies, your new reserve
parachute may handle differently.
In the event of a deployment of your ram-air reserve, check your altitude. If there is
sufficient altitude, prepare your canopy for flight as follows:
♦ First release the brakes by putting your hands through the toggles and pulling down
on both toggles simultaneously and vigorously.
♦ If necessary at this point, the slider may be pumped down by pulling both toggles
down to your waist and holding them there for a few seconds and then raising them
back up. If any cells are closed, this action should open them. You may have to
repeat this two or three times.
♦ Again, perform the above procedures only if there is sufficient altitude. It is better to
make a smooth flared landing with collapsed end cells than to land while pumping the
toggles to clear them.
♦ Next look for the best landing area you sure you can reach. Keep in mind that your
reserve may not glide as far as your main parachute. Your opening altitude is
probably lower than normal under your reserve. The sooner you select the landing
area the more places you will have to chose from. Immediately turn toward your
intended landing area.
♦ If there is enough extra altitude after reaching the landing area, try some practice
flares in the air. Note the control range and how the canopy stalls. It is much better
to flare too little than too much. If you flare too much, you may stall the canopy and
hit the ground unusually hard.
♦ Set up your final approach to landing higher than normal. Avoid turns close to the
ground. Remember—this canopy probably flies very differently than the one you are
used to. It may lose a lot more altitude in a turn than you expect.
♦ Always fly a conservative approach for a first-time landing on any canopy. Try to land
into the wind. However, it is more important not to be turning on landing.
♦ If you do not have enough time under the canopy to get familiar with how it flares, do
not try to flare it. Instead land at half brakes and do a good PLF (parachute landing
fall).
Flight Characteristics

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Your PV reserve must be inspected thoroughly before it is assembled and at every
repack. This inspection should be performed with even more care and attention when
first assembled and after a deployment.
An FAA-certified rigger must inspect your new PV reserve and determine its compatibility
with your rig.
Here is the PV recommended procedure for inspecting your reserve canopy. Consult the
owner’s manual and the Maintenance and Inspection Manual for your rig and other
components for instructions on inspecting them.
The permeability of the fabric is very important. As the permeability increases, the
canopy will open more slowly and flight performance will deteriorate. The rate of descent
will increase and the forward speed will decrease. The ability of the canopy to flare to a
soft landing will decrease.
To insure the canopy remains in compliance with TSO requirements and to insure the
canopy is safe to use, PV has established an average permeability limit of 6cfm for the
top and bottom fabric.
Fabric permeability does not change while the canopy is packed. It changes as a result
of use and handling. That’s why it’s important to maintain a complete history of the
parachute.
Fabric permeability must be tested if any of the following events occur:
♦ The canopy is completely submerged in water.
♦ 25 jumps have been made on the canopy since it was new or last certified.
♦ The canopy has been repacked 40 times since it was new.
♦ Flight performance appears to be substandard.
♦ There are other reasons to believe the fabric porosity may exceed specifications.
The Performance Variable factory is equipped to perform permeability testing. It is
recommended that any canopy needing such testing be returned to the factory.
Permeability Check
Inspection Instructions

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It’s best to inspect your reserve in a careful, systematic way. We recommend starting at
the top of the canopy and working down to the risers. We recommend this procedure:
1) Top Surface: Spread the canopy out on its bottom surface and inspect the top
surface starting at the front of the left end cell. Check half of the cell from nose to tail.
Then check the other half going from tail to nose. Repeat this pattern until all the cells
top surfaces are inspected. Look for rips, stains or failed seams.
Check the fabric strength by using two each fabric clamps (Aerostar P/N 51406M or
equal) and a spring scale with a 50-pound capacity, such as the Hanson-Viking No. 895.
You may obtain these clamps and scale from Performance Variable, directly from the
manufacturer or by other means.
A total of three fabric strength tests should be performed on each canopy: one on each
end cell top surface and one on the center top surface near the trailing edge. This test
should never be done where any part of the fabric involved in the test is within three
inches of any seam or the data panel. The test should be done chord-wise. Additional
test should be performed on any stained or discolored areas. Attach the locking fabric
clamps to the rip-stop fabric. The distance between the clamps should be three inches,
and the clamps should be aligned so that the rip-stop pattern is parallel to the edge of the
jaw. Lock the clamps securely to avoid slippage. Pass a short length of suspension line
through the eye of one clamp and secure to the packing table or other object which will
allow a 30-pound load without movement. Pass the hook from the spring scale through
the other eye and apply a 30-pound load for 3 seconds.
The Hanson-Viking No. 895 spring scale has a sharp hook on one end. The point should
be removed with a file or grinder to avoid injury or canopy damage. The spring scale
should be checked before first use with a 30-pound inert load and calibrated if necessary.
Check the accuracy of the spring scale at least once a year. Leave the locking clamps in
the open position as the rubber pads will stick together if they are stored closed.
2) Bottom Surface: Turn the canopy over and spread it out to inspect the bottom
surface. Again use the procedure of inspecting half of the cells at a time, as on the top
surface. Check for rips, stains and failed seams. Look very closely at the line
attachments. Even slight damage is cause for rejection in these areas. Line attachments
must completely free of any damage or defects.
Visual Inspection

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3) Inspect each rib from leading edge to the trailing edge by looking inside each cell.
Pay extra attention to the line attachment points.
4) Lay the canopy on one side, stacking each loaded rib on top of the others.
Check that all lines in each line group are the same length and that the trim differential
between each line group is correct for this reserve. Check the condition of the stabilizers
and slider stops on the stabilizer.
5) Suspension lines: Check the full length of each line for damage and wear. Look
for fraying at all cascades and where each line attaches to the connector link. Check that
all lines are sewn and that the stitching is good. Check the continuity and routing of each
line.
6) Slider: Be sure the fabric isn’t torn and that the grommets are undamaged, have no
sharp edges and are securely attached to the slider. Be sure every suspension line and
both steering lines pass through the proper grommet on the slider.
7) Risers: Be sure the barrels of the connector links have not moved and the slider
stops are properly positioned. No substitutes are authorized for PV slider stops.
8) The toggles must be installed correctly and match the guide ring and Velcro on the
risers. PV canopies come with brake settings and toggle tie-on marks set for PIA
standard riser/brake dimensions. This standard calls for 4 inches (10.2 cm) from the top
of the riser to the top of the brake-setting ring. If the risers are more than 1 inch or (2.5
cm) different from this standard the canopy must be modified. This modification may only
be done by a master rigger and must be reported to Performance Variable. In addition,
any changes must be marked on the canopy's data panel.
9) The rest of the assembly: Follow the instructions in the rig manufacturer’s
owner’s manual to inspect the rest of your parachute system.

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1 2 3
654
7 8 9
Installation of Performance Designs Soft Links ©

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Your new Performance Variable reserve canopy must be assembled and packed into
your parachute system by an FAA-certified rigger. Before you begin, be sure the risers,
toggles, free bag, pilot chute, harness, container and other items are compatible with
your Performance Variable reserve canopy and each other.
When assembling a Performance Variable canopy onto risers with Soft links or reserve
mini-links, it is important that the following directions be followed precisely .
The connector links / Soft links supplied by Performance Variable for use with their
reserve canopies are of the highest quality and carefully inspected and tested. It is
important that no substitute links be used. Other links may look similar, or even identical,
to those supplied by Performance Variable, but any substitute could be considerably
weaker than the real thing.
There are two different size links available from Performance Variable for use on
reserves. They are number 4 and number 5 stainless links. Number 4 links are used for
minimum pack volume and weight. In cases where the riser volume is too large to fit
properly on a number 4 link, number 5 links should be used. Be sure to use the correct
link bumpers. The number 4-link bumpers will not work on number 5 links. All links on a
canopy should be the same size. Do not mix sizes on a canopy, and only use links
obtained from Performance Variable.
When properly installed, reserve mini-links start to bend at 2500 lbs. and fail at about
3400 lbs., making them much stronger than most sport risers. If improperly installed,
however, mini-links will fail at as little as 250 lbs.
If these directions are followed correctly, and only parts supplied by Performance
Variable are used, these mini-links will provide excellent service.
1) Remove all grease and dirt from links, using a solvent that will leave no residue.
Trichloreothlane or any electrical contact cleaner is recommended.
2) Inspect the link carefully. Check for nicks, burrs or any sign of bending or stress.
Check to be sure the barrel will screw down at least 2¾ turns from first engagement with
no resistance.
3) Neatly fold risers to the width of the inside of the link.
Slide link onto riser. Leave barrel open.
Assembly Instructions
Attaching to Risers

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4) Slide slider stops over line groups and install lines on links as shown. Tighten barrel
only lightly finger tight—don’t snug down the barrels yet. (Or use Soft links see page 15)
5) Perform a thorough line check at this point, making absolutely sure that the canopy is
straight. After the links are tightened with locking compound (LOCtite, Permanex or
Truelock), it will be very difficult to correct any errors.
6) When you are sure the canopy is straight, unscrew the barrel and put one drop of
locking compound on the threads. Immediately tighten finger tight, and torque to 30 inch/
lbs. To accurately gauge this, place a 5-lb. (2.27-kg) weight on a wrench, 6 inches (15.2
cm) from the link. When the wrench is horizontal and the barrel no longer turns, the link
is fully tightened. Never tighten more than 30 inch/lbs. Clean off any excess thread lock
with a clean, dry rag. Do not use water or solvents.
7) Make a small match mark along the barrel and the link as shown. This mark will serve
as an easy method to check for tightness. If the match mark remains intact, then the
barrel is still in place. If the upper and lower parts of the mark become mis-aligned, then
the barrel has shifted. Should this happen, the link must be immediately disassembled,
cleaned and inspected. If no damage has occurred, the riser/link/line assembly may be
reattached according to steps 1 through 5.
8) When the match mark is dry, slide slider stops over links until the lower edge of the
rubber tubing touches the top of the riser as shown. These stops are important in that
they help keep the lines in the correct position on the link.
Without these stops, the links could fail due to improper/uneven loading. The stops must
be tacked to the link with two turns of doubled seal thread. If webbing stops are supplied,
install them the same way.
9) Periodic Maintenance: The links should not be checked for tightness with a wrench.
Instead, use the match mark. If the mark stays in alignment, then the links are properly
tightened. If not, follow the steps in #7.
Plastic slider stops Small match mark Tack slider stops Webbing Stops

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Attach the steering toggles according to the rig manufacturer’s instructions. If such
instructions haven’t been provided, follow these procedures:
Route the steering line through the guide ring on the riser. Then route it through the
grommet in the toggle, starting from the side with Velcro. Wrap the toggle loop around
the outside of the toggle and pull the steeringline tight to the toogle.
Factory finished toggle loop
#1 #2 #3
Attaching Toggles

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Repairs may be broken into three categories:
1) Minor repairs. These may be done by a senior rigger.
2) Major repairs. These require a Master Rigger.
3) Factory repairs. These repairs that may be performed only by the Per-
formance Variable factory.
Small snags and holes smaller than 1/8” square (one rip-stop box) located further than 10
inches from the closest line attachment may be left unrepaired as long as there is no
more than one in any 10” circle. A maximum of three such snags per cell is allowed.
Rip-stop tape is not authorized for use on Performance Variable reserves. If the damage
is enough to warrant a repair, a sewn repair must be done.
Any hole or tear up to 10 inches in length may be repaired by a senior rigger as long as
the closest area of the completed repair is at least 1 inch from the nearest seam and at
least 5 inches from the nearest tape or line attachment.
Any line damage is a major repair. Lines may be replaced by a master rigger. However,
it is recommended that these repairs be sent back to the factory. All replacement lines
must come from the Performance Variable factory.
Master riggers may perform any repairs that do not involve taking apart any bar-tacks on
the canopy. Special bar-tack patterns are used that are not normally found in the field.
In addition, removal and replacement of these stitch patterns usually weakens the fabric
to the point that it is necessary to replace portions of panels. The original templates are
needed to complete this correctly.
Reserves may only be repaired using certified materials. Under-strength thread and
fabric is frequently found in the field. One way to be sure your materials are up to
Performance Variable standards is to purchase them directly from Performance Variable.
Maintenance & Repairs

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1) Avoid dragging any part of the canopy across the ground.
2) Do not leave the canopy exposed to the sun any longer than is absolutely necessary.
3) Do not wash the canopy. Doing so will reduce the performance of the parachute and
void the TSO. If it is necessary to remove grease spots, mineral spirits may be used on
small areas.
4) Have your Performance Variable reserve inspected and maintained by a licens-ed
rigger in compliance with FAR Part 105.43.
5) Store your parachute in a cool, dry place in a container through which light will not
pass. This will prevent the permanent ultraviolet light from sunlight and other sources.
Certain other agents–notably acids–will quickly cause great damage to your parachute.
Do not store your parachute where it might come into contact with such substances. For
example, automobile trunks contaminated long ago with battery acid have destroyed
many parachutes.
Operating Limitations
For landing safety, the NAA/LBA has given Performance Variable the authority to lower
the legal weight limitations for each canopy model. The chart on page 1 (Technical
Specifications) shows the maximum weight limitations for each canopy model.
Exceeding these limitations is both unsafe and a violation of the FAA & NAA/LBA
regulations.
Use
Although it is not always possible in emergency situations, it is desirable to have good
body position for deployment of any parachute canopy. It is considered ideal to be sitting
up head high with shoulders level during deployment. There should be no stalls below
500 feet. Turns below two hundred feet should be gentle.
Canopy Care & Use

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Setting the Brakes
A) Open the Velcro cover on the riser. Use the toggle to pull the right-hand steering line
down until the brake loop just passes through the guide ring.
B) Insert the tapered end of the toggle all the way into the loop. Pull on the steering line
above the guide ring to seat the toggle against the ring.
C) Fold the bight of the line between the toggle and the loop in 3-inch folds and lay it
neatly next to the toggle.
D) Carefully close the Velcro cover to encase the stowed toggle and folded line. Be sure
none of the steering line is caught between the layers of Velcro. Repeat the process for
the left-hand toggle.
A/B) C) D)
Packing the Reserve