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## Sport Parachute Main Packing Techniques 

When we talk about “square” parachutes, what we really mean is rectangular plan form, semi-elliptical, or elliptical plan form. [Figures 4-1 through  4-3] Plan form refers to the shape of the canopy from a “birds eye view.” 

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There are essentially two ways to pack a square parachute: flat packing or proper ram-air orientation (PRO) packing. When flat packing, the canopy is laid on its side so that you are viewing it in profile. The canopy is S-folded stacking the line groups on top of one another. Variations to this method include rolling the nose from the leading edge to the A line, toward the tail, or splitting the nose cells in half, rolling them inward, and tucking them into the center cell. The tail is then split and cocooned around the rest of the canopy. 

The most common method of packing “square” mains and reserves, however, is PRO packing. Developed by John Sherman in the early 1970s when “squares” were first being introduced, the premise was to pack them the same way one would pack a round parachute—that is, to separate the four line groups and flake the perimeter of the parachute with the nose facing forward and the tail of the canopy facing rearward. If one were tall enough to raise the round parachute off the floor, it could be PRO packed. The advantage of PRO packing is that it results in a more even distribution of forces during opening shock and on-heading openings. Figures 4-4 through  4-35 illustrate PRO packing. There are several variations to this technique designed for special purposes. Free fall cameramen may require a slower opening to reduce the opening shock. Canopy Relative Work (CRW) parachutists may want faster sub-terminal openings. The rigger should be able to provide guidance to the parachutist for the type of opening required. 

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