D-RING-A metal fitting shaped in the form of the letter D; for example, a D-ring on a harness connects to a chest-type parachute assembly by means of snap fittings. Also, a slang term for the ripcord handle.

DART-A short, tapered seam.

DELAYED RELEASE JUMP-A parachute jump in which the wearer purposely does not open the parachute immediately upon safely clearing the aircraft.

DIAMETER-The greatest straight distance across a circle. Specifically, the greatest distance across a flat canopy, from skirt to skirt, measured when the canopy is lying flat. Used to designate the size of a flat canopy.

DIAMETER, NOMINAL-The diameter of a circle that has the same surface area as a given parachute canopy. This measurement is used to allow comparison of all shapes (conical, spherical, etc.) of parachute canopies.

DIAMETER, PROJECTED-The greatest distance between opposite points on the skirt hem when the canopy is inflated. The projected diameter is approximately two-thirds the diameter of a flat canopy.

DIP-A line or group of lines passing through a group of lines. Also, a group of suspension lines not in proper continuity. See also TWIST.

DISPOSITION-Instructions on what is to be done with or to an item.

DOUBLE-W-A sewing pattern.

DROP TEST-The release of a parachute assembly with a dummy load from an airplane, tower, or ejection seat for testing purposes.

DRY LOCKER-A tower or compartment of suitable height that will satisfactorily air fully suspended parachutes.

EJECTION SEAT-An emergency escape seat for propelling an occupant out and away from the aircraft by means of an explosive charge or rocket motor.

EJECTOR BOARD-A small, rectangular board with rounded edges and a grommet in one end used on MBEU parachutes. It serves as a firm place for the pilot parachute to spring from during opening.

ELASTOMER-Any of various elastic substances resembling rubber.

EMERGENCY KIT, PAWCHUTE-A standard soft pack, high-speed soft pack, special kit or rigid seat survival kit containing a raft and survival equipment needed by an aircrewman in case of emergency.

END OUT (MISSING END)-A warp yarn missing for a portion of, or the entire length of, cloth .

ENSURE-Make certain that necessary measures are taken.

EXAMINE-To inspect closely, and to test the condition of an item.

EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE-Any mixture of a combustible material or substance and oxygen capable of violent burning (detonation) either spontaneously or with the external application of heat.

EYE-A small, steel-wire loop; for example, the loops attached to the parachute container, into which a hook on a container spring opening band is fastened.

EYELET-A small metal reinforcement for a hole in cloth, similar to a grommet, except thinner and smaller, and having no washer. The eyelet is used to reinforce lacing holes in small covers, etc.

F-Abbreviation for Fahrenheit.

FAKE-To fold a line, rope, cord, or hawser in a back-and-forth fashion.

FASTENER, DIRECTIONAL-A snap fastener that can be engaged or released only in one direction.

FASTENER, NONDIRECTIONAL-A snap fastener that can be engaged or released by applying pressure or pull from any angle.

FASTENER, SLIDE-A type of fastener made of two lengths of tape with a series of metal or plastic scoops fastened to one side of each. A metal slide is provided that causes the scoops to mesh or lock in place as the fastener is closed, or to separate as the fastener is opened. Colloquial usage ZIPPER.

FELT-A cloth made from wool, fur, hair, synthetic fiber, or a mixture of these with cotton. It is made by matting the fibers together under pressure and heat.

FERRULE-A cap or ring used to finish the end of a housing; for example, the finished ends of a ripcord housing.

FIBER-A natural or synthetic filament (as of wool, cotton, rayon, etc.) capable of being spun into yarn.

FID-A small, flat hand tool of metal or wood used during the packing process to straighten end flaps and to insert corner flaps into a finished pack.

FILLING-Threads that are perpendicular to selvage edges, and extend across the width of cloth .

FITTING ASSEMBLY, DISCONNECT-A releasing device used on the LW-3B parachute assembly, which detaches both the static line and the ripcord assembly from the container side panel after either has effected opening of the container.

FITTING, CANOPY QUICK-RELEASE-A device that connects the canopy and risers to the harness, permitting the aircrewman to disengage himself, on instant response, from the

canopy.

FITTING, OVERRIDE DISCONNECT-A directional fitting used on the NB-11, NES-12, and NES-16 parachute assemblies that connects the external pilot parachute and the pilot parachute.

FITTING, QUICK-RELEASE-A device used to connect and release on instant response. See also FITTING, CANOPY QUICK-RELEASE.

FITTING, SWAGE-A connection, adapter, or pin that is fastened to a cable by pressure. It is applied by means of a machine that compresses the fitting, causing it to tightly grip the cable or wire to which it is being attached.

FLAMMABLE MATERIAL-Any material capable of being easily ignited and of burning with extreme rapidity.

FLAP, CORNER-One of the small, rectangular cloth tabs that are part of the container side flaps and act as protection and reinforcement of the container corners when the parachute is packed.

FLAP, END-A cloth extension on the short sides of the container base that folds over to enclose the canopy. One of the end flaps is usually designed as the ripcord end flap.

FLAP, SIDE-A cloth extension on each of the long sides of the container base, which folds over and encloses the canopy. Each side flap is designated according to the fittings it carries; for example, locking cone side flaps or grommet side flap.

FLARING-The process of opening or widening; for example, the method of splitting, taping, and stitching the ends of webbing in order to widen and prevent it from slipping through an adapter.

FLOAT, MULTIPLE-A place in cloth where a series of floats extend 3/16 inch or more.

FLOAT, SINGLE-A place in cloth where a filling or warp yarn extends unbound over the pick(s) with which it should be interlaced.

FOLDER-A device used as an attachment to a sewing machine to guide and fold cloth.

FRAME, CONTAINER-The framework used to stiffen and hold the container in shape.

FRAYED (SUSPENSION LINE)-A fuzzy condition in which short lengths or pieces of thread or yarn protrude from surface of suspension line.

FREEZING POINT-Temperature at which a given liquid substance will solidify or freeze upon removal of heat. Freezing point of water is 32F (0C).

FULL-In reference to oxygen cylinders, a full oxygen cylinder is a cylinder that is pressurized to its rated pressure. With respect to a high-pressure oxygen cylinder, 1800 psig is considered full.

FUNCTIONAL TEST-A test that puts an item to use to determine if it operates properly.

GAPL-Abbreviation for Group Assembly Parts List. The GAPL, a section of the Illustrated Parts Breakdown, shows how major assemblies are dissembled into assemblies and detail parts.

GORE-That portion of the canopy located between two adjacent radial seams and the vent and skirt hem. It consists of cloth sections sewn together.

GROMMET-A metal eye and washer used to reinforce a hole in material; for example, grommets on container side flaps.

H2

0-Abbreviation for water.

HANDLE, RIPCORD-The handle secured to the ripcord cable and retained in a pocket located on the harness or container. Pulling of the handle begins the process of parachute opening. Often referred to as hand-pull or grip.

HARNESS-An arrangement of webbing straps used to attach a parachute to the aircrewman. The harness serves as a sling to support the aircrewman during descent.

HARNESS, CHEST-TYPE-A harness assembly used with attachable, chest-type parachute.

HARNESS, MAIN SLING-The main loadcarrying member of the harness. Formed by two lengths of webbing, it is routed from the shoulder adapters or D-rings down across the seat, up the side ending at the opposite adapters or D-rings.

HEAT EXCHANGER-Apparatus in which heat is exchanged from one fluid to another.

HEAVY BAR OR PLACE-An area on cloth where pick count varies from normal count. See

also PICK.

HEM-A border or reinforced edge formed by folding cloth back and securing it, usually by sewing; for example, vent and skirt hem of a parachute canopy.

Hg-Abbreviation for mercury.

HOLE, CLOTH DAMAGE-Three or more warp and/or filling threads broken at the same location.

HOOK, PACKING-A special hook used to draw suspension lines into place in hesitater loops.

HOOK, TENSION-Hooks used to retain the connector links during parts of the packing procedure.

HOUSING, EXTENSIBLE RIPCORD-A ripcord and housing that can be extended approximately 4 inches to accommodate the addition of a raft kit to the seat-type parachute assembly.

HOUSING, RIPCORD-A flexible steel tube encasing the ripcord cable used to protect against accidental release of damage and to serve as a cable guide. Integrated ripcord assembly housings are constructed of vinyl-coated flexible tubing.