Tri-dem Pre-planned Breakaways
In preparation for the Strong Tandem Instructor Course, plus just as a novelty, the Strong Tri-dem cutaway rig was available for jumping for those who qualified. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented many people from taking part, but finally a lighter wind (relatively speaking), good weather day finally arrived. First jumping the canopies, without even knowing the color or how they were packed was Rick Gardner. He exited at 8,000 AGL and deployed by 7,000 feet. Then, after flying the ZPO 170 for a couple thousand feet, Rick did something every skydiver has an instinct NOT to do... he chopped a perfectly good canopy! After deploying the intentional main, a 220 square foot F-111, Rick sighed some relief from the success of his FIRST CUTAWAY! And fortunately, he remembered to hold onto all the handles! Meanwhile, Bill Hubbell chased the floating cutaway main to landing, off the airport. It was Bill's turn next, and Rick returned the favor of chasing. Bill's only comment was a sarcastic, "Yeah, whatever, not that much fun!" Jen Sharp was the last candidate before daylight ran out. But her jump went off with a hitch... it was almost a double cutaway! The spring loaded pilot chute entangled with the front lines of the canopy, causing a severe turn to the left without toggle input. She could correct with almost full input on the right toggle and decided to keep the canopy and land without flaring, deeming it safe enough since the wingloading was about 0.56.

This tandem training rig is set up piggyback just like a regular sport rig, but instead of two chutes stacked, this had a reserve on top, the intentional main in the middle, and the cutaway main on bottom. The first main was deployed by throwout, like a drogue on a tandem rig. This canopy was cutaway with an outboard handle located on the right shoulder area, again just like a tandem rig. Then the intentional main was deployed by an outboard ripcord handle, located on the left shoulder area, like a tandem rig's reserve handle. In case of an actual malfunction on the intentional main, the emergency procedures were just like a sport rig, cutaway & reserve inboard chest area.