G4 Owner’s Manual – 4 – Operating Limits

September 22, 20170

PARACHUTES, LIKE AIRPLANES, HAVE OPERATING LIMITS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH TESTING.

Mirage parachute harnesses are approved for manufacture by the FAA under Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-23b and the “Low Speed Category” of National Aerospace Standard (NAS)-804.

As required by NAS-804, a series of static Line drop tests were made at the following airspeeds and payload weights to subject the harness to the required minimum of 3000 pounds of shock load.  Mirage harnesses passed testing to these standards.

  • 100 MPH……..750 LBS.
  • 125 MPH……..525 LBS.
  • (130 kts) 150 MPH……..375 LBS. (170 kg)
  • 175 MPH……..300 LBS.
  • 200 MPH……..235 LBS.
  • 225 MPH……..200 LBS.

NAS-804 sets the maximum operating speed of a “Low Speed Parachute” at 150 MPH, even though the assembly could withstand higher speeds at a lower weight, or higher weights at lower speeds, and still remain within the tested range.

To lower the risk of equipment failure, injury, or death, never exceed 150 MPH (130 kts) when opening the main or reserve parachutes of your Mirage.

Mirage harness and container systems are required to be labeled “LOW SPEED PARACHUTE LIMITED TO USE IN AIRPLANE UNDER 150 MPH”.  This label is located inside the reserve container pin cover flap of your Mirage.

 

RESERVE PARACHUTE COMPATIBILITY

Mirage Systems, Inc. authorizes the installation of any ram-air reserve parachute canopy approved for manufacture by the FAA under TSO C-23b, TSO C-23c, TSO C-23d, and TSO C-23f,  if it has been inspected and determined to be airworthy by the installing rigger, and is used within the limits of the “Low Speed Category” of NAS-804.

For a single-harness parachute system, the strength of the harness must always be equal to or greater than the maximum force generated by the canopy during certification tests.  Therefore, a reserve parachute installed in a Mirage is restricted to use within the “Low Speed Parachute” operating limits of the Mirage harness and container system.

 

DETERMINING MAXIMUM OPERATION LIMITS

The maximum operating weight and maximum operating speed of a reserve parachute must be determined before installation in a Mirage.  This information is marked on the TSO label of reserve parachutes manufactured under TSO-C-23c, TSO-C-23d, and TSO-C23f.

Since a Mirage is approved as a “Low Speed Parachute” assembly, the maximum operating weight with a reserve parachute installed is 375 pounds (170 kg), unless the maximum operating weight of the reserve parachute is lower.  Use the LOWER maximum operating weight.  Maximum operating weight includes the weight of the jumper plus all equipment.

The maximum operating speed of a Mirage is 150 MPH (130 kts), unless the maximum operating speed of the reserve parachute is lower.  Use the LOWER maximum operating speed.

The rigger who assembles the system should record the lower of both numbers as the “Operating Limits” in a place accessible to the user when he or she dons the rig.  This will ensure that the parachute system is operated within the tested limits of NAS-804.  Writing the operating limits on the reserve packing data card is acceptable.

 

Example

A reserve parachute canopy approved for manufacture under TSO C-23c Category C has a maximum operating weight of 254 lbs. (115 kg) and a maximum operating speed of 175 Kts (201.39) MPH.

Installed in a Mirage, the maximum operating weight of the complete assembly would then be 254 lbs.  (115 kg) and the maximum operating speed would be 150 MPH (130.34 kts).