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Yeah. I have read on multiple threads about tail gate potentially catching the big mesh slider. Have there ever been a case where a tail gate caught on a big mesh slider and caused slider hang up?

I have read on multiple threads about tail gate potentially catching the big mesh slider.

I've seen a tailgate woven (and stuck) through the mesh of a slider at landing.

Question, was he using it or was it just left in the C-Line?

> 1) Small or big mesh slider

Whichever the manufacturer delivered with your canopy. The slider is a component of the canopy, and you should stick with a manufacturer approved configuration.

If the manufacturer has a spec for different kinds of mesh slider, whichever of them you have will be fine for Bridge Day.


> Tail gate used or not? Masking tape?

The control lines are the primary driver of the slider's deployment. As the tail expands, the control lines push down on the slider, driving it down.

The tailgate (or tape) constrains the control lines so they don't push on the slider.

If you're prepared for it, I don't think it's much of an issue. If you're not, it can be fairly scary.

Personally, I won't use a tailgate on any subterminal jumps (like Bridge Day)

<snip>

Whether you or I use one or not, the truth is that there are many, many jumpers using tailgates on all their jumps (slider up as well as down) at this point.



> The purpose of a tailgate (whether tape of line/rubber band version) is to control the steering lines to prevent lineovers

Line over prevention is only one of the functions of the tailgate.

The tailgate encourages nose first inflation, which is desirable for many reasons. Reduced incidence of line over malfunction is only one of those reasons. Others include fast pressurization, better opening heading and possibly a reduced incidence of tension knots.

Dwain wrote a whole article on nose first inflation, but I can't seem to find it at this point. Which is a shame, and one of the things that happens in BASE--with such a high attrition rate, important information is often lost.


> In fact, IIRC when tailgates first came out, Apex (nee Basic Research at the time) said to not use a tailgate on slider up jumps...

Are you familiar with their current recommendations? I don't know what the official word is, but I know of at least 2 of the principals at Apex who I've seen use tailgates for their own slider up pack jobs.


> Do you mean you won't use a tailgate on a sub-terminal jump with a slider?

Yes. That's exactly what I mean.


> How many lineovers are there on skydives made with canopies that don't have a tailgate?
>
> Answer: Essentially zero.

Even one seems like a lot if it happens to be over your head. And there have definitely been slider up line overs.


> why exactly would anyone use a tailgate on a slider-up jump?

I'd suggest directing that question to some of the good folks at Apex (previously Basic Research) who have chosen to use their tailgates on their own slider up jumps.

My thought is that people would do it because they wanted to promote a nose first inflation, either with or without the slider.

I honestly don't see much benefit from it, but the fact is that plenty of people are using the slider and tailgate together.

....The control lines are the primary driver of the slider's deployment. As the tail expands, the control lines push down on the slider, driving it down.

The tailgate (or tape) constrains the control lines so they don't push on the slider...

I have used both masking tape and tailgate, a lot. Neither slow the opening if done correctly. There have been enough line overs that have occurred at one time or another to make me want it. I have used it from 1.5 slider up to full terminal, hundreds of time for each.

I do think painter's tape is best, but tailgates are not the end of the world- I have used them on the last 200 slider up jumps I have made. I also take the extra second to cleanly set my slider. Almost every person I have talked to that said they were black death has never actually had an issue or known anyone who has had an issue. If you are wrapping the rubber band around the tailgate (or excessively wrapping the control lines with tape), then I can see it slowing the opening but I am still skeptical of the mystery hangup/ malfunction.

The configuration I have been using is:
1. Bi-lateral direct control of the slider with 1/2 an elastic on each inner C-line attachment point. (The same split elastic I would use for a tailgate).
2. I trap the inner D-lines and upper control lines between the bights of slider that I hitch with the elastics.

I don't have a photo of my configuration, but take a look at the attachment and simply picture all of the upper control lines and the inner D-lines running between the trapped bights of the slider, underneath the slider.

With this configuration, the slider, inner C-line attachment points, and the C-line seam of the center cell are "holding" the inner D-lines and upper control lines. This isn't as tight a pocket as a tailgate, but it keeps the upper control lines constrained until the inner Cs and Ds move spanwise sufficiently, releasing the bights of slider.

I've made 25 jumps with this configuration with delays of 4 seconds to 7 seconds, and it's treated me well so far. I haven't found any indications of wear or damage on the slider, line attachment points, or canopy fabric.

~ Chris

I opened up one of my pack jobs and took some pics.

DC1 shows that I've taken two bights of slider, each one captured by an elastic attached to the inner C-line attachment points.

DC2 shows a close up, where you can see that I've used those two bights to trap the inner D-lines and all the upper control lines.

The resulting configuration keeps the slider up until spanwise expansion separates the inner Ds and CS (typical direct control), but also creates a loose version of a tailgate.

So far, this has treated me well. And I haven't found any damage or wear on the attachment points, lines, or slider.

~ Chris