## APPENDIX 1. MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARD FOR PERSONNEL PARACHUTE ASSEMBLIES AND COMPONENTS 

This appendix prescribes the MPS for a personnel parachute assembly and component. The applicable standard is PIA TS-135 Revision 1.4 issued April 22, 2010 Performance Standards for Personnel Parachute Assemblies and Components, as modified for this TSO: 

1. Page 2, replace Para, 2.1.i. to read as follows: 

“Cognizant Agency” - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or civil aviation authorities recognized in bilateral agreements by the FAA, 

2. Page 5, Para. 4.1.2. delete: “generally” . 

Stitching should not ravel when broken . “Generally” reduces the requirement for stitch choice, and adversely impacts the current standard. 

3. Page 5 , Para. 4.1.3. delete: “Ref: Table 2”. 

Table 2 is not relevant to this requirement. Testing of a packed assy will show if the main parachute will interfere with the proper function of the reserve parachute. 

4. Page 9 , Para. 4.3.7. in first sentence delete: “a weight not more than”. 

The worst case is the maximum operating weight. 

5. Page 11 , disregard paragraph 4.3.9.1., Rate of Descent Tests (Method 2). 

We omitted the Method (2) testing, for not providing an equivalent level of safety to current standard. This method is directed at high performance and experience parachutists in sport and skydiving activities. Novice or less experienced parachutists in emergency conditions due to incapacitation, panic, etc., may not be able to safely deploy and land. 

We have to consider the safety of all jumpers, not just the highly skilled, highly experienced. It is argued that the risks the experienced jumpers are exposing themselves to, are mitigated by their skill and experience. 

To allow the increased velocity may improve the safety of highly skilled, highly experienced jumpers, but it erodes the safety for the beginner, incapacitated, panicked, or a jumper who has gotten himself into a treacherous landing area. 

