Static Lines

Static lines are an integral piece of gear in Smokejumping. The FS-14 round parachute that is used is packed into a deployment bag and pack tray. The pack tray then goes onto the jumper's back and the parachute attaches into the jump harness the jumper is wearing. One end of the deployment bag is the static line and the static line clip. During the deployment sequence the static line clip attaches to a jump cable or stanchion in the airplane. As the jumper leaves the aircraft the static line is what pulls the parachute out of the deployment bag inside the pack tray on the jumper's back. The static line and deployment bag remain with the aircraft as the jumper falls away. The static line is sewn together with 346 nylon thread. Any mistakes during the sewing process render the nylon webbing useless. The static line must be inspected by a master rigger before it can be put into service. I completed 27 static lines as a project in the summer of 2018.

Below are some photos of static lines in action.

In the left photo the static line is wrapped on both parachutes on both Jumpers' backs ready to be deployed. The static line is routed over the Jumper's left shoulder and the static line clip is placed on the reserve chest parachute so the Jumper can easily access it and connect it to the jump cable in the plane.

In the right photo the static line clip is connected to the jump cable in the plane. The yellow static line runs from the static line clip to the parachute on the Jumper's back. The purpose of the static line in deployment of the parachute is quite clear in this image. As the jumper falls away from the plane the static line and deployment bag will stay with the plane. The Spotters will then pull the static line and deployment bag back into the plane.

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