APPENDIX I GLOSSARY

ABRASION-A fuzzy spot or area on cloth, usually caused by rubbing against an object.

ACC-Abbreviation for aircrew systems change.

ACCORDLAN-FOLDS-Folding a canopy into S-shaped layers of predetermined size. Accordian folding produces a packaged parachute assembly in the desired finished shape.

ACID-A fundamental chemical class distinguished by having reactive hydrogen radicals (pH below 7.0). Acids can be extremely corrosive to metal and damaging to fabric.

ADAPTER, HARNESS-A rectangular metal fitting with a fixed crossbar used primarily as an anchoring point.

ADAPTER, HARNESS FRICTION-A rectangular metal fitting with a movable center bar (friction grip). Facilitates quick adjustment of a harness by the wearer.

AIRCREW MEMBER-An aircraft crew member. Passengers are not considered aircrew members.

ALKALINE-A substance that is opposite to an acid, a base. Also, any substance that has the properties of an alkali (metallic hydroxide).

ANEROID-A corrugated metal capsule used in the automatic parachute ripcord release for sensing atmospheric pressure. The aneroid will initiate operation of an actuator at a preset altitude.

ANTI-SEIZE TAPE-A tape of any of several thin plastic-film materials (such as tetrafluoroethylene) characterized by a waxy, oily texture, and used to prevent binding between mating surfaces of threaded parts when applied to the male threaded portion.

APPROX-Abbreviation for approximately.

ASSEMBLY-A grouping of parts fitted together to form a complete unit.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE-Pressure at sea level, expressed as 14.696 pounds per square inch, absolute, or 29.92 inches mercury column (barometer). See also PSIA and IN. HG.

AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE RIPCORD RELEASE-A barometrically controlled device that mechanically or by explosive force actuates the parachute ripcord assembly, causing the parachute container to open at a preset altitude.

AWL-A pointed tool for piercing small holes in cloth, leather, wood, and other soft materials.

BACKSTITCH-A stitch made by inserting the needle a stitch length to the right and bringing it up an equal distance to the left. Also, sewing back over a row of stitches.

BAG, SHOT-A bag filled with lead shot used to hold the canopy in place during packing.

BAG, DEPLOYMENT-A canvas enclosure for the canopy and suspension lines. In use, the deployment bag controls release of suspension lines and canopy, ensuring orderly opening.

BALL, CABLE RETAINING-A steel ball that is swaged to the ripcord cable and secures the ripcord handle to the cable.

BAND, LATERAL-Webbing inserted in canopy skirt and vent hems to reinforce edges and distribute load.

BAND, POCKET-A piece of tape or line attached at the skirt hem and across the radial seam, which causes the gores to be pulled outward at inflation, thus improving the opening characteristics of the canopy.

BAND, RETAINING-A rubber band used to hold folded suspension lines in a container or faked lines together.

BARREL, AUTOMATIC PUCHUTE RIPCORD RELEASE-That part of an automatic parachute ripcord release that houses the cartridge and piston or spring and piston.

BARTACK-A concentrated series of zig-zag stitches used to reinforce points of stress. A bartack should have 28 stitches per half-inch (per MIL-O-81900AS).

BEESWAX-A wax, generally with paraffin, that is applied cold or melted to thread to prevent raveling or cloth unknotting and to make thread easier to sew.

BIAS CONSTRUCTION-A type of canopy construction in which the canopy cloth is cut and sewn so that the centerline of each gore runs at a 45-degree angle to the warp and filling thread of the canopy cloth.

BINDING-A piece of tape or fabric folded over and stitched to a raw edge of cloth to prevent raveling or fraying.

BODKIN-A large-eyed, blunt needle instrument for inserting thread, tape, ribbon, or line through a loop, hem, or channel. Used to feed suspension lines through canopy radial seams or to stow suspension line bights in certain parachute container assemblies.

BOLT-A package or roll of cloth of varying widths. Also, a measuring term for 40 yards of material.

BOTTOM, FALSE-Apiece of cloth sewn to the inside of a pack to retain the frame. It also serves as a base for attaching suspension line hesitater loops.

BRAID-A narrow band of interlaced strands.

BREATHING-The pulsating action of the parachute canopy when fully inflated.

BUNCHED STITCHING-Stitches too close or more stitches per inch than required.

BURL-A knot or lump in thread or cloth.

BURNS, FRICTION-A hard spot on the suspension line caused by two lines rubbing together at high speeds, generally off-color and brittle.

C-Abbreviation for Celsius.

CABLE, ARMING, AUTOMATIC PARA-CHUTE RIPCORD RELEASE-A cable that, when attached to the ejection seat, lap belt, or other designated point, arms the automatic parachute ripcord release at seat/man separation.

CABLE, POWER, AUTOMATIC PARA-CHUTE RIPCORD RELEASE-A cable covered by a housing, which transmits the force from the automatic ripcord release assembly to the ripcord cable.

CABLE, RIPCORD-A flexible cable joining the locking pins and ripcord handle.

CANOPY-The main supporting surface of a parachute that, when opened, reduces the rate of descent. It is usually made of nylon and includes a framework of cords, called suspension lines, from which the load is suspended.

CANOPY, CONICAL-A canopy constructed in the shape of a cone. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, EXTENDED SKIRT-A canopy that has a flat circular center or disk when spread out. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, FLAT CIRCULAR-A canopy that has the shape of a flat circle or disk when spread out. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, GUIDE SURFACE-A mushroom-shaped canopy in which alternate roof panels are extended to provide guide surfaces. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, HEM-RIGGED-A canopy that the suspension lines are attached to the skirt hem and do not pass over the drag-producing surface; for example, the 26-foot conical canopy. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, RIBBON-A canopy composed of concentric cloth ribbons, supported by radial ribbons and tapes. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, RINGSAIL-A canopy composed of concentric rings installed on a spherical surface. The slots that are contained in the gores are in the form of a crescent. See also CANOPY.

CANOPY, RING SLOT-A canopy composed of concentric cloth strips with intervening air slots. The number of slots will vary with the diameter of the canopy. See also CANOPY.

CANVAS-A heavy, closely-woven cloth of linen, cotton, or synthetic fiber.

CASING (SLEEVE)-The outer woven cover of the suspension line.

CAUTION-Indicates danger to equipment. The caution precedes the step or item to which it refers.

CcM-Abbreviation for cubic centimeters per minute.

CDI-Abbreviation for collateral duty inspector.

CHANNEL, CANOPY-The space or opening formed by the overlapping of cloth in making of radial seams. The suspension lines pass through the channels and are retained in position. The channels aid in transmitting load from the lines to the cloth.

CHUTE-Abbreviated slang form of parachute.

CLAMP, DUAL HOUSING-A metal clamp located on the outside of the end flap of backand seat-type parachutes. The clamp secures the ripcord and power cable to the container end flap.

CLEVIS-A U-shaped metal fitting with a hole in each end to receive a pin or bolt.

CLIP-A device that fastens, holds together or retains; for example, the clip that is tacked to a riser and holds the ripcord housing in place.

CLOTH, CANOPY-The cloth used in parachute canopies. It is woven to withstand the impact of air pressure when the parachute opens. The canopy cloth is woven from nylon yarns, usually in a ripstop weave. See also CANOPY. (Ref. MIL-C-7020, Cloth, Nylon, Parachute.)

CLOTH, NYLON RIP-STOP-A type of nylon cloth used in canopy manufacture. The weave pattern of the nylon cloth consists of reinforced ribs, in both the warp and the filling, forming a uniform pattern of squares. The cloth is designed to keep hole damage to a minimum when rips or tears develop in the canopy.

CLOVERLEAF HANDLE-A ripcord handle that is used on chest- and integrated backtype parachutes. It is shaped in the form of a cloverleaf.

CO2-Abbreviation for carbon dioxide.

COLLAR, VENT-A strip of nylon cloth. One edge is sewn to the vent hem of the canopy so that a collar or cylinder is formed above the top of the parachute. The other edge is hemmed to form a channel for the insertion of a molded rubber ring.

COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL/SUB-STANCE-Any material or substance capable of burning in the presence of oxygen. See also EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE, FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

COML-Abbreviation for commercial. Refers to parts that are commercially available.

COMPONENT-Item of equipment making up part of an assembly; for example, a ripcord housing is a component part of a ripcord assembly.

CONE, LOCKING-A small, smooth, coneshaped metal post sewn to the flaps of the container or inside the vane-type pilot parachute. The cone has a horizontally drilled hole a short distance from the top to admit a temporary locking pin or the ripcord pin. The pilot parachute locking cone contains two holes. The flange contains holes for securing purposes.

CONFIGURATION-The makeup, size, shape, and relative location of parts of an item of equipment and its accessories. This includes the composition of the materials as well as marking details. The configuration of each equipment is specified by Government drawings, military specifications and modification instructions.

CONFLUENCE POINT-A coming or running together of two or more lines.

CONTAINER-An assembly that encloses and protects the canopy, suspension lines, and risers until the parachute is opened. Sometimes called the pack assembly.

CONTAINER, HARDSHELL-A container that has a rigid plastic or fiber body with cloth end and side flaps, designed to withstand high wind-blast conditions; for example, the NES-8B parachute container and certain MBEU parachute containers.

CONTRASTING COLOR-A color that stands out from its background.

CONTROLLER DROGUE-A small parachute that is used to extract the stabilizer drogue parachute.

CONVOLUTION-Used in this manual as the protruding side or portion of a diaphragm.

CORE OVERLAP-During suspension line manufacture, the insertion of an incoming core yarn that runs parallel to a running out yarn, which results in two core yarn ends protruding through the casing a distance of about 2 to 6 inches. These ends are normally cut off during final phase of parachute suspension line manufacture.

CORDS, CLOSING-Made of type I nylon cord approximately 18 inches in length. They are used as an aid in the closing of the parachute container.

CROSS BOX-A sewing pattern.

CROWN-A cloth panel used to cover the peak of a vane-type pilot parachute. Also, the portion of the main canopy surface near the peak.

CUSHION, SEAT-A square, cloth-covered pad designed to provide comfort and equipped with a slot to provide passage for the harness leg straps.

CUTTER, PYROTECHNIC-A device that is operated by an explosive charge and is used to cut line or webbing, etc.; for example, a static line cutter.