Sigma TANDEM VECTOR User manual

SIGMATANDEMSYSTEMOWNER’SMANUAL
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Warning & Table of Contents 11301-00.00.0000
DISCLAIMER-NOWARRANTY
Becauseoftheunavoidabledangerassociatedwith
theuseofthis parachute system, the manufacturer
makesnowarranty,eitherexpressedorimplied.The
rigis sold with allitsfaultsand without anywarranty
of fitness for any purpose. Manufacturer also
disclaims any liability in tort for damages, direct or
consequential,includingpersonalinjuries,resulting
from a malfunction or from a defect in design,
material,workmanship, or manufacturing whether
caused by negligence on the part of the
manufacturerorotherwise.
Byusingthis rig, or allowing it to be used by others,
the buyer waives any liability for personal injuries
or other damages arising from such use.
Ifthebuyerdeclinestowaiver liability on the part of
themanufacturer,buyermayobtainafull refund of
the purchase price by returning the parachute
system,beforeit is used, to manufacturer within 30
daysfromthedateoforiginalpurchase with a letter
stating why it was returned.
WARNING
Read this information carefully and understand
itcompletely.Any jump that utilizes the Tandem
Vector System is considered a “tandem jump’:
Usingthis system outside the student/ Tan-dem
lnstructor training environments considered a
violationoffederallaw (FAAexemp&on No.4943)
Examples of violations: demonstration jumps;
stunt jumps; intentional water jumps; night
jumps; jumping with any student less than 18
years of age; any tandem jump that takes place
offofadesignateddropzone.(Theserestrictions
do not apply to military Tandem applications).
TANDEMVECTOROWNER’SMANUAL
WARNING
Sport parachuting is a hazardous activity that can
result in injury or death.
Parachutessometimesmalfunction,evenwhenthey
are properly designed, built assembled, packed
maintained and used. The results of such
malfunctionsaresometimes serious injury or death
The US Parachute Association estimates that there
are about 35,000 skydivers in the U.S., and these
jumpers made approximately 2.2 million jumps in
2001. The Association reported 35 skydiving
fatalitiesthatyear,meaningthe probabilityof dying
on a skydive is approximately 1 in 64,000. It also
seemsthatthe more experienced a skydiver is, the
less likely he or she is to be killed while jumping.
Experts estimate that hundreds of people are also
injured. Some of these deaths and injuries are the
result of equipment malfunctions.
If you use your Vector Tandem System, or if you
allowsomeone elsetouse it,youare acknowledging
sportparachuting’srisks and accepting the fact that
the Vector or its components may malfunction.
If you are not willing to accept the risks of sport
parachuting, or if you aren’t willing to accept the
possibility that your Vector Tandem System or its
componentsmay malfunction orperhapscause you
to be injured or killed, then you may return your
Vector Tandem System for a full refund
beforeitisused.Detailsonhowtodothisareprinted
below.
Neonand fluorescent colored fabrics and tapes fade
rapidly. Color brilliance may be lost within a year of
manufacture. The Relative Workshop assumes no
respon-sibility for this condition.

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SIGMATANDEMSYSTEMOWNER’SMANUAL
11301-00.00.0000 Warning & Table of Contents
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Section1-TheSigmaTandemSystem
Chapter1 - New Features .......................................................................................................... X
Chapter2 - Applicant & Course Information .................................................................................... X
Section2-Equipment
Chapter1-Description ............................................................................................................. X
Chapter2 - Operation .............................................................................................................. X
Chapter3-Packingthe Reserve with Skyhook ................................................................................. X
Chapter4 - Packing & Closing Main Container .................................................................................. X
Section3-InstructorTechniques
Chapter1-Preparation ............................................................................................................. X
Chapter2 - InAircraft& Exits ...................................................................................................... X
Chapter3-Freefall&Drogue Fall ................................................................................................. X
Chapter 4- Canopy Control ........................................................................................................ X
Section4-Malfunctions&Emergencies
Chapter1 -Reserve Procedures ................................................................................................... X
Chapter2-Aircraft Emergencies & Student Refusal ........................................................................... X
Chapter3 - Freefall .................................................................................................................. X
Chapter 4- Canopy Control ........................................................................................................ X
Section5-StudentTechniques
Chapter 1 -Student Skills for FirstJump ......................................................................................... X
Chapter2 - Other Activities ........................................................................................................ X
Section6-Appendix
SigmaTandem “PinCheck” ........................................................................................................ X
ReplacingtheDrogue Ripcord System........................................................................................... X
InstallingaNewSigmaDrogueKillLine ......................................................................................... X
TandemWater Landing Procedures .............................................................................................. X
TandemFatalityReports ........................................................................................................... X
TestforSigmaEndorsement ...................................................................................................... X
LineTrimCharts ..................................................................................................................... X

CHAPTER1-NEWFEATURES
CHAPTER2-APPLICANTINFORMATION
CHAPTER1-NEWFEATURES
CHAPTER2-APPLICANTINFORMATION
SECTION1:THESIGMATANDEMSYSTEM
SECTION1:THESIGMATANDEMSYSTEM

CHAPTER1
THESIGMA
TANDEMSYSTEM
CHAPTER1
THESIGMA
TANDEMSYSTEM

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INTRODUCTION
TheSigmaTandem System represents agiantleapforward in safety, comfort, andconvenience.Unlikeother tandem
systems,wherethedrogue was simply “added on” to existing container system designs, the Sigma Tandem System
was designed “from the ground up” as a drogue deployed tandem rig. It utilizes a drogue attachment system that is
integral with the main container closing system. That is to say, they are one in the same. When you close the main
container,youalsoattachthe drogue. There is no 3-Ring to hook up and no pouch to close. When the main container
opens, the drogue is released. One cannot happen without the other. Once the main container is closed, the drogue
isthenstowed exactly like a bottom-of-container hand-deploy pilot chute. Except,onthissystem, snaggingthe main
bridle will not cause an accidental container opening.
On all other tandem container systems, the main container closing and the drogue attachment are two separate
systems, at two different locations. While not unreasonably dangerous, such container systems have inherent
problems. They are complex and time consuming to pack, and this complexity sets up the possibility of multiple
packing errors. But by far the most important problem is, that these systems allow the possibility of the main
containeraccidentallyopening,whilethedrogue is still attached. Since 1989, this scenario has killed 9 tandem pairs.
It is the leading single cause of tandem fatalities, accounting for almost one third of the total. By combining the
container closing and drogue attachment systems, the new Tandem Sigma eliminates this deadly malfunction.
And because the drogue is attached at the center of the main container, instead or either above or below it, as on
other tandem systems, the tandem pair’s body position during drogue fall is not too head high or head low, but
much closer to the normal face-to-earth freefall position of a solo jumper. This makes the Sigma Tandem System a
more realistic training aid for future skydivers.
THE DISK RELEASE SYSTEM
(PATENT ISSUED)
At the heart of this system is a specially designed 5-inch diameter disk with a 1-inch flanged “chimney” at its center,
through which the drogue bridle passes. This disk is connected to the bridle, about 3 feet from the deployment bag,
with a locking pin, which passes through the chimney and a loop on the bridle.
Toclose the main container, and anchor the drogue, yousimply place the main bag in the container, andthe disk on
top of the bag. You then pass the closing loop, which starts on the bottom flap, through custom D-rings on the other
three flaps, and then through a grommet back on the bottom flap, in a circular fashion, drawing the flaps snugly
aroundthe disk chimney, thus capturing the disk underthe four container flaps. The flanged chimney keeps the disk
centered in place and allows the drogue bridle to exit the container. The closing loop is secured with an eyeleted
metalpinthroughwhichtwolengthsof1000lb.Spectralineareloopedandthensecuredafewinchesbelowthefinal
grommet to form a pulley. The other end of each Spectra ripcord passes through its own metal housing, one to the
right, and the other to the left. Each drogue release ripcord is atached to a spherical ripcord handle by a loop-
through-loop connection, making ripcord replacement in the field quick and easy, without any tools. The system is
durable and fail-safe, in that total failure of one ripcord would not affect the function of the other.
THE RECOIL RIPCORD SYSTEM
(PATENT ISSUED)
A single 13-inch piece of bungee cord passes through both housings and elastically connects the
handles to each other. This holds them firmly against the end of each housing, and causes each
handle to recoil back into place after being pulled, or accidentally snagged. This means the handles

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will always be where you expect them to be. There is no more stowing of loose handles after
opening, and no more looking for handles at packing time. For further security, each ripcord handle
is countersunk, so that it snugly slides 3/8 of an inch over the end of its housing. Each ripcord has
3 inches of slack built in, so that it takes a 5- inch pull, on either handle, to release the drogue.
THE SAFETY PIN
(PATENT PENDING)
The system also incorporates a special “safety pin” on the drogue bridle, which locks the main container pin in place
until the drogue is deployed. On all other systems, if you snag a drogue release ripcord moving around the aircraft,
oron exit, or if you accidentally pull the wrong handleafterexit, you end up with a main canopy as soonas you throw
your drogue. The unique safety pin prevents this scenario.
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
In tandem, the force exerted by the deployed drogue at terminal velocity is roughly equal to half of the suspended
weight.Thisforce, transferred through the disk, is shared (divided) equally by the four main containerflaps.Because
both ends of the container closing loop are attached to the same (bottom) flap, the closing pin end of the loop only
receives half of the force exerted on the bottom flap, or one-eighth of the total force exerted by the drogue. So, if the
droguedeployedabovea400poundtandempairexertsa force of 200 pounds on the disk, then the container closing
pin receives one-eight, or 25 pounds of force. A stainless steel pin, moving through a Spectra loop, over a stainless
steelgrommet,hasamechanicaladvantageofaboutfivetoone.Soa pull of 5 pounds is all that is necessary to move
the pin. But, the Spectra ripcords are set up as 2-1 pulleys, so theoretically a force of only 2½ pounds at the ripcord
handle should move the pin. However, tension from the bungee recoil system, plus eyelet and housing friction, add
about 7 pounds of resistance back into the equation, yielding a total pull force, at the handle, of about 10 pounds.
A NEW DROGUE
(PATENT PENDING)
Whilethedrogue canopy is essentially unchanged,thebridleand kill line have beenredesigned.The1¾” Kevlar outer
bridleextendspastthediskall the way to the main deployment bag. The kill line is now 1,000 lb. Vectran/Spectra and
also terminates at the bag. Because the lower ends of both the bridle and the kill line end at the same place, it is
impossible to twist one independently of the other. This means no more time consuming untwisting of the kill line.
Becausebothbridles are now made of non-stretch materials, no “stopring”isrequiredon the inner bridle. This means
lesswear,andthat the kill line can be easily replaced in the field.Andbecauseboththebridleand the kill line share the
bag lift-off forces (On all other systems either the kill line or outer bridle takes it all alone) if either the bridle or the kill
line breaks, deployment still happens more or less normally, and you don’t lose your expensive drogue.
A NEW MAIN DEPLOYMENT BAG
The Sigma Tandem main deployment bag has also been redesigned, eliminating the grommet at the top of the bag,
and replacing it with a continuous loop of tubular nylon. This prevents canopy damage caused by trapping canopy
fabric between the bag’s grommet and the canopy attachment point.

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A NEW COLLINS’ LANYARD
(PATENT# 6,056,242)
TheSigmaTandem now integrates our proven “Collin’sLanyard”Systeminto the yoke for a totallyhiddeninstallation.
This system automatically releases the other main riser if the RSL-side main riser breaks, or releases
prematurely for any reason. This prevents a potentially fatal main/reserve entanglement. You can only get this
important safety system on a Vector.
NEW THICKER PADDING
BoththeTandeminstructorandstudentharnessesfeatureourexclusive½”thick“Wonderfoam”paddingforamore
comfortable canopy ride.
A NEW STUDENT HARNESS
TheNewSigmastudentharnessisdesignedtobefarmorecomfortable,whileatthesame time offering more control
on exit, and forcing the student’s legs forward and upward under canopy. This means fewer students will get sick or
pass out under canopy. It also means fewer landing injuries, a greater return and progression rate, and a better
review of their tandem jump to friends, which in turn means more, and happier students.
EXTERIOR VIEWING WINDOWS FOR THE RESERVE PIN AND
CYPRES
Nowyou can view your reserve locking pin, and turn your Cypres on and off through clear windows, without opening
yourreserve pincoverflap. The reservepinwindow ismadeof Lexan,andsimply slidesintoplace foreasyreplacement
ifit becomes badly scratched. The Cypres window is just abovethe reserve pin cover flap, so a pin check,and Cypres
condition check can be accomplished at a glance, even while you are wearing the rig.
SYSTEMS BORROWED FROM THE VECTOR III SOLO RIG
SigmaTandem Systems also share many features with our VectorIII solo systems. Riser covers, and both main and
reserve pin cover flaps, incorporate tuck-tabs instead of Velcro. The main container side flaps wrap around the
bottom of the container to provide positive bridle protection. These systems set the industry standards for superior
pin and main bridle protection, as proven by years of field-testing and use.
SUMMARIZING THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SIGMA TANDEM
1. It takes fewer steps, with fewer potential errors, to close the main container.
2. Accidentally snagging the drogue bridle will not open the container.
3. Out-of-sequencedeploymentsareeliminated.
4. Itscenter-of-main-containerdrogueconnectiongivesamore“natural”andcomfortabledrogue-fallpositionthan
otherTandemsystems.
5. Thedroguereleaseripcordsareautomaticallyretractedafteruse,oraccidentalsnagging,so that they are always
where they should be, cannot be lost, and don’t have to be stowed after pulling.
6. It has two redundant, fail-safe drogue release ripcords, one on the right, and one on the left.

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7. The drogue release/container opening pin is “locked” until you throw the drogue, preventing
accidental high openings.
8. No more time consuming untwisting of drogue kill line during packing. Kill lines can be easily
replaced in the field.
9. You still get a more or less normal deployment if the kill line breaks, and you don’t lose your
drogue.
10. It’s improved deployment bag means less canopy damage.
11. It has an improved student harness, which means safer and more comfortable students,
and their positive word- of-mouth advertising will increase your tandem business.
12. The “Collin’s Lanyard,” and all its advantages, is available only on a Vector.
13. It has tuck-tab main, reserve, and riser covers.
14. Clear plastic windows make reserve pin checks and Cypres operation easier.
15. It has “Wonderfoam” padding throughout.