UPT SkyHook RSL User manual

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 1 of 12 10/10/2011
SkyHook RSL Packing Instructions for
Vector 3/Vector 3 M-Series/Micron/Sigma

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 2 of 12 10/10/2011
INTRODUCTION
A traditional RSL does one thing. It pulls the reserve ripcord pin automatically after a breakaway. The Skyhook RSL
does this, and then goes two steps further.
A. It automatically releases the Left (non-RSL) riser, if the right (RSL) riser releases prematurely for any reason
(Collins Lanyard). (You wouldn‘t want your reserve container opened with one riser still attached, would
you?)
B. It then uses your departing main canopy as a super pilot chute to get your reserve to line stretch faster than
ever before. Breakaway, to canopy-out-of-bag and line stretch is ½of a second, depending on the size of
your reserve canopy. This is up to three times faster than a pilot chute can do it alone.
If you have a main total malfunction, or your AAD fires, the Skyhook Lanyard automatically releases, and
therefore does nothing to hinder normal reserve deployment.
The Skyhook RSL System has four parts:
1. The RSL Lanyard (5/8 or 1“, black webbing) with a snap shackle that connects to your right main riser at
one end, and the Collins Lanyard loop at the other.
2. The White Ripcord Lanyard, with one end sewn to the RSL loop, and the reserve ripcord pin at the
other.
3. The Red Skyhook Lanyard, also sewn to the RSL loop, with the Skyhook attachment loop at its free end.
4. The Skyhook itself, which is sewn to the reserve pilot chute bridle. (Because the RSL Lanyard, Collin’s
Lanyard, and Skyhook Lanyard are all part of one integrated system, pulling the yellow tab on the RSL
snap shackle inactivates all three).
3.
1.
2.
4.
Collin’s Lan
y
ard Loo
p
1.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 3 of 12 10/10/2011
SKYHOOK II
Your rig is equipped with the new Skyhook II. It differs from the original Skyhook in the following ways:
1. It is anodized blue.
2. The “To Pilot Chute”instruction is laser etched on the top surface.
3. There is a holographic serial number label under the surface.
4. There are two Lexan cover pieces –one per side.
5. The Lexan pieces have small holes drilled in them for safety tie thread.
6. The upper attachment tape is red.
7. The label on the rig has been updated to reflect some of these changes.
The Skyhook II’S dimensions are exactly the same, and it functions in exactly the same way as the original Skyhook.
Therefore, it is fully compatible with any United Parachute Technologies rig set up for the original Skyhook.
Reasons for the Changes:
1. The blue anodizing makes it easier to see damage to the hook section, while the second Lexan cover
piece better protects the hook from any damage.
2. The laser etching is much easier to read, and the holographic serial number seal makes it much easier
for us to keep track of different Skyhook batches. Please notice that while the arrow on the Skyhook II
points the same way as the original Skyhook, the “to pilot chute”text is flipped to make it “right side up”
when viewed from the top of the rig.
3. Sealing the Skyhook lanyard with a single piece of red rigger seal thread passed through the holes in
the two Lexan cover pieces (instead of tacking the red lanyard to the free-bag bridle, as was done in the
original Skyhook) results in far greater percentage of free-bags still attached to the broken away main all
the way to the ground. There is no chance of needle damage to the bridle from successive tacking with
a dull needle.
4. Making the upper (toward the pilot chute) Skyhook attachment tape red makes it even less likely that
someone will someday sew a Skyhook to the bridle backwards.
Single pass of red rigger seal thread

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 4 of 12 10/10/2011
WARNING - Before Packing:
t~êåáåÖ
Note: There is no RSL guide Ring on flap #6 on
Skyhook equipped rigs. Make sure the RSL
guide ring has been removed on converted
rigs. It was never really necessary, and
someone might pass the Skyhook lanyard
through it someday, causing a reserve total.
t~êåáåÖ
Make sure the left hand (exposed) yellow
breakaway cable passes through the yellow
Collins Lanyard loop at the end of the RSL. The
Skyhook should not be used without a Collins’
lanyard.
t~êåáåÖ
Make sure that the Skyhook is sewn to the
reserve free-bag bridle correctly, with the
pointed end of the hook facing toward the
bag. If the Skyhook were sewn on the bridle
facing the wrong way, a reserve pilot chute
in tow would result if the reserve were
pulled in response to a main total. (This
pilot chute in tow could be cleared by
pulling the yellow tab to release the RSL.)
Remember, this malfunction can only occur
if the Skyhook is SEWN to the bridle upside-
down.
It cannot be caused by a packing error.=
Pointed end of
Skyhook to
bag.
To pilot chute.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 5 of 12 10/10/2011
PLACING THE BAG IN THE CONTAINER (WITH STAGING LOOP AND SKYHOOK)
1. Place the bagged canopy on the main
container and position the reserve risers in the
reserve pack tray. Fan the links rather than
stacking them on each other, placing the rear
links to the outside. Be sure to place the reserve
risers far enough in the pack tray so they will lie
flat over the shoulders.
2. Pass a pull-up cord through the reserve
closing loop and a second pull-up cord through
the shock cord staging loop as shown.
Color coded pull-up cords are helpful.
NOTE:
Regardless of the loop length, the staging loop
will always be 1”shorter than the Cypres loop.
This ensures proper tension on the reserve
bridle for all V3 models.
3. Pass both pull-up cords through the bodkin
and pull though to the top side.
kçíÉ=
If a T-bar was passed through the bag,
thread the ends of the pull-up cord through
the hole in the end of the T-bar.
Remove the T-bar from the bagged canopy,
pulling the closing loop and pull-up cord
through it.=
1”

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 6 of 12 10/10/2011
4. Place the bagged canopy in the pack tray,
taking extra care to fill the lower corners.
Pull firmly on both pull-up cords to ensure good
separation of the 2 loops.
Using your knee, begin to produce room for the
reserve pilot chute by pushing canopy fabric
away from where it will seat.
The reserve flaps are numbered 1-6 for
reference. Close them in proper sequence.
Skyhook equipped rigs will have the additional
2A flap.
kçíÉ=
When preparing the container for the
bag, turn the upper reserve corners
inside out.
• This allows the reserve bag and
canopy to drop straight down into the
container.
•It also makes it easier to fill the bottom
corners of the container.
•Leave the upper corners turned inside
out until it is time to close flaps #4 and
#5.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 7 of 12 10/10/2011
CLOSING THE RESERVE CONTAINER (WITH STAGING LOOP AND SKYHOOK)
5. Close the inside bottom kicker flap (Flap #1)
and secure it with the temporary pin.
6. While keeping knee on center of the bag,
carefully pop the corners of the bagged canopy
into the corners of the container. Pushing too
hard can result in moving bulk away from the
corners.
Firmly Push the AAD into the space made when
closing the bag.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 8 of 12 10/10/2011
Setting the staging loop
7. Begin by pulling the bridle line all the way to the top of the container as shown, and then fold it in half.
8. Stow 1”(25mm) of folded bridle as shown and
tuck the excess slack under flap 1 as shown.
1”
kçíÉ=
CHECK RESERVE RISER PLACEMENT
BEFORE CLOSING FLAP #2
• Ensure that the risers are at the edge of
the pack tray with the rear riser fanned to
the outside.
•Adjust the risers so that they lay flat against
the yoke or shoulder padding.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 9 of 12 10/10/2011
11. Pass a single length of riggers seal thread through the holes in the lexan covers and firmly tie off with a surgeons
knot to hold the RED Skyhook lanyard in place.
9. Then fold remaining 6’(1.83m) of bridle in
the V shape ending with the Skyhook as shown.
10. Close and pin flap #2.
Attach the RED Skyhook lanyard to flap #2 by
folding the stiffened section of the lanyard in
half, and inserting it in the RED pocket on the
flap. You may have to open the pocket a little
with a pencil before inserting the flex-tab.
Lift the Lexan cover slightly, rotate the Skyhook
enough to slip the loop on the end of the red
Skyhook lanyard over the Skyhook, and rotate it
back into position. The Skyhook should be held
firmly in place between the two pockets with
less than ¼” (7mm) of play.
NOTE:
It should take a force of 5-7 lbs. to pull the red or
green flex-tab out of its pouch pulling at a 180
degree angle to the mouth of the pouch.)
Green Flex-
tab
kçíÉ=
The Skyhook has a Lexan cover piece
designed to:
1. Hinder anything but the Skyhook Lanyard
from entering the Hook-slot.
2. Lower the chance that the hook area might
be damaged by use or misuse Make sure
this cover is in good condition. Make sure
the hook area is smooth and free of burrs.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 10 of 12 10/10/2011
12. Insert the GREEN flex-tab on the free-bag
bridle into the GREEN pocket on the #2 flap.
13. Complete the Skyhook assembly to the
diagram on flap 2A.
Close and pin flap 2A then S-fold remaining 5’
(1.52m) of bridle line as shown.
14. Thread the pull-up cord up through the pilot
chute from bottom to top.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 11 of 12 10/10/2011
15. Make sure the pilot chute is centered over
the loop, then compress it straight down and
lock it with the temporary pin.
16. Pull all the pilot chute fabric out, away from
the spring. After pulling the fabric away from
the spring, check to make sure the pilot chute
base is centered under the crown then
accordion fold the material across the top.
17. Thread the pull-up cord through the reserve
bottom flap (Flap #3). Close and secure it with
the temporary pin.
18. Thread the pull-up cord through the right
side flap (Flap #4), then the left side flap (Flap
#5) in that order. Close and secure with the
temporary pin each time. Ensure the pilot chute
folds stay flat and neat.
kçíÉ=
Fully compress the spring to see how
much loop can be pulled through the top
of the pilot chute. If you can pull more
than ½ to ¾ inches (1.3 cm – 1.9 cm)
through, then it is too long. This would
be the best time to open the container
and shorten the loop.
kçíÉ=
DRAW BOTH SIDE FLAPS, #4 AND #5,
TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME.
• This prevents the bulk of the pack job
from pushing to the side that isn’t closed,
which then makes it more difficult to
close that side.
• By closing both side flaps at the same
time, the pack job is evenly compressed
from both sides.

INSTRUCT-001 Rev 3 Page 12 of 12 10/10/2011
1.
19. Thread the pull-up cord through the top
center flap (Flap #6).
20. Replace the temporary pin with the reserve
pin, seating it to the depth as shown the left.
21. Seal reserve in accordance with the
regulations in your area and close the pin cover.
ALWAYS COUNT YOUR TOOLS
WHEN FINISHED!
kçíÉ=
If the force necessary to close the last
two flaps seems excessive, the loop may
be too short. Use a scale to determine
how much force is needed to extract the
pin; 8lb (3.6 kg) to 12lb (5.4kg) is correct.
A short loop can also bend the reserve
loop anchor.
t~êåáåÖ
Make sure that the Skyhook lanyard goes
directly from the RSL lanyard to the
Skyhook hardware, without going under
or through anything. (Except flap #2A)