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"Hi Rob,\n \n\n\n\tRe:  The old FAA TSO standard was that all reserves had to structurally survive high-speed openings at 254 pounds.\n \n\n\n\tThere are now 4 versions of TSO C23x under which modern gear is being built.  The oldest being C23b.  For the Standard Category, the harness had to survive a 'load' of 5,000 lbs.  There is a weight vs speed chart in NAS 804 to achieve this.  I am of the opinion that the chart will not produce a load of 5,000 lbs.\n \n\n\n\tRe:  The second problem was descent rate with 254 pounds suspended.\n \n\n\n\tIt is the 'total velocity' req'ment that is the problem.\n \n\n\n\tRe:  The smallest reserves have a steady (brakes still set at opening configuration) rate of descent too fast to meet the FAA standard\n \n\n\n\tAt the 2005 Symposium, I had coffee with one of the 'important' people at PD.  He informed me that the PD reserves had an exemption for the 'total velocity' req'ment.  It was the first time that I even knew that it was possible to get an exemption.  Learn something every day.\n \n\n\n\tIMO if you ever drop test a ram air canopy using a dummy, you will quickly learn that you do NOT want to land it without control of it.\n \n\n\n\tJerry Baumchen\n \n\n\n\tPS)  When I did the strength testing, I used a 400 lb weight &amp; 200 MPH.\n \n\n\n\t\n \n"
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