USER MANUAL

L.A.R.A. AND P.D.A. PARACHUTES

P.O. Box 1548

Lake Elsinore, CA 92595
(951) 245-1734
www.freeflightent.com
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................. 2
WARRANTY INFORMATION........................................................................................................................... 3
PRODUCT WARNING..................................................................................................................................... 4
PRODUCTS..................................................................................................................................................... 5
L.A.R.A. SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................................................... 6
P.D.A. SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 7
REPAIRS ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
PACKING INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................................................... 9
INTRODUCTION

Free Flight Enterprises was the first to develop emergency reserve parachutes for hang gliding and
paragliding. In the event of a structural failure, mid-air collision, irrecoverable collapse, or a medical
emergency, your emergency reserve is your last and best chance to avoid serious injury. Free Flight has
been making emergency reserve parachutes since 1976, manufacturing the best products in the
industry.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 2 of 12

WARRANTY INFORMATION

NO WARRANTY – DISCLAIMER - WAIVER

Due to the unavoidable risks associated with the use of this parachute equipment, Free Flight
Enterprises, Inc. makes no warranty, either expressed or implied. Parachute equipment sold with all
faults and without any warranty, merchantability, or fitness for any purpose.

Free Flight Enterprises, Inc. disclaims any liability in tort for damages, direct or consequential, including
personal injuries resulting from a malfunction or from a defect in design, manufacturing, materials, or
workmanship, whether caused by negligence on the part of Free Flight Enterprises, Inc. or otherwise.

Use of any parachute equipment manufactured or sold by Free Flight Enterprises, Inc., or allowing its
use by others, buyers and/or users waive any liability on the part of Free Flight Enterprises, Inc. for
personal injuries or other damages arising from use.

The liability of Free Flight Enterprises, Inc. is limited to replacement of defective parts found upon
examination by Free Flight Enterprises, Inc., and limited to defective materials or workmanship not
caused by accident, striking, improper use, alteration, tampering, excessive use, misuse, or abuse.
Product must be returned within 60 days of purchase.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 3 of 12

PRODUCT WARNING

!!WARNING!!
1. Parachuting is a high-risk activity, which may cause or result in serious injury or death.

2. Parachutes sometimes malfunction, even with proper design, manufacturing, assembly, packing,
maintenance, and use. The results of such malfunctions may result in serious injury or death.

3. Do not purchase or use any parachute equipment manufactured or sold by Free Flight Enterprises,
Inc. unless you understand and voluntarily accept these risks.

4. Do not purchase or use any parachute equipment manufactured or sold by Free Flight Enterprises,
Inc. unless you have read, understand, and accept this Warning and the No Warranty-Disclaimer-Waiver.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 4 of 12

PRODUCTS

Our parachutes are available in two different designs – the P.D.A. (pulled down apex) and L.A.R.A. (Low
Aspect Ratio Annular). The P.D.A. design was the first improvement in hang glider reserves over the
older conical parachutes. The P.D.A. has a line connected to the parachute apex that pulls down the
apex, flattens the parachute, and increases inflated diameter. This increases drag and reduces the sink
rate, which gives performance with a lighter, less expensive chute and a smaller pack volume.

The L.A.R.A. technology takes the concept one-step further, using specially shaped gores (the triangular
segments in the parachute canopy) to better control the inflated shape and further enhances the
aerodynamic performance of the parachute. A properly designed annular parachute gives the lightest
parachute weight and smallest pack volume for a given rate of descent.

There are no structural differences between the hang gliding “HG” and paragliding “PG” canopies. You
may convert the PG canopy for hang gliding by adding a bridle extension; however, we strongly
recommend a paraswivel, which is integral on the HG configuration. Without a paraswivel, a spinning
broken hang glider can close the canopy by twisting the bridle and shroud lines.

All hang gliding parachutes are fitted with a 25-foot bridle and a paraswivel connection between the
bridle and parachute lines. The 25-foot bridle extends beyond the glider wings so that the deployment
bag will reach clear air beyond the glider before the lines are pulled from the deployment bag. This
reduces the chance of entanglement with the glider. The paraswivel prevents a spinning or rotating
glider from twisting up the parachute lines and closing the canopy during descent.

All paragliding parachutes are fitted with a 4-foot bridle so that the parachute canopy will deploy below
the main paraglide canopy. A paraswivel attachment is optional.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 5 of 12

L.A.R.A. SPECIFICATIONS

BRIDLE /
RISER
ITEM PILOT LINES, SUSP, BREAKING
WEIGHT DIAMETER WEIGHT VENT, STRENGTH
MODEL GORES (LBS) (FT) SQ FT MAX (LBS) CENTER (LBS) (LBS)
NYLON
400, 360, NYLON
L.A.R.A. 175, HG* 20 5.3 15.0 294.0 175 2000 6,000
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 175 GOLD, HG* 20 4.7 15.0 294.0 175 2000 6,000
NYLON
400, 360, NYLON
L.A.R.A. 175, PG 20 5.1 15.0 294.0 175 2000 6,000
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 175 GOLD, PG 20 3.8 15.0 294.0 175 2000 6,000
NYLON
400, 360, NYLON
L.A.R.A. 250, HG* 22 5.8 16.0 328.0 250 2000 6,000
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 250 GOLD, HG* 22 4.7 16.0 328.0 250 2000 6,000
NYLON
400, 360, NYLON
L.A.R.A. 250, PG 22 5.6 16.0 328.0 250 2000 6,000
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 250 GOLD, PG 22 4.1 16.0 328.0 250 2000 6,000
NYLON
400, 360, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 400, HG* 24 10.0 20.0 503.0 450 2000 13,500
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 400 GOLD, HG* 24 7.8 20.0 503.0 450 2000 13,500
NYLON
400, 360, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 400, PG 24 9.5 20.0 503.0 450 2000 13,500
SEPCTRA
500, 500, KEVLAR
L.A.R.A. 400 GOLD, PG 24 6.8 20.0 503.0 450 2000 13,500

*ADD 1 LB IN ITEM WEIGHT FOR THE PARASWIVEL ON THE L.A.R.A. AND P.D.A.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 6 of 12

P.D.A. SPECIFICATIONS

BRIDLE /
RISER
ITEM PILOT LINES, SUSP, BREAKING
WEIGHT DIAMETER WEIGHT VENT, STRENGTH
MODEL GORES (LBS) (FT) SQ FT MAX (LBS) CENTER (LBS) (LBS)
NYLON
P.D.A. 20, HG* 20 5.0 18.4 238.0 250 250 LBS 6,000
NYLON
P.D.A. 20, PG 20 4.5 18.4 238.0 175 400 LBS 6,000
NYLON
P.D.A. 22, HG* 22 6.0 20.0 302.0 260 400 LBS 6,000
NYLON
P.D.A. 22, PG 22 5.5 20.0 302.0 230 400 LBS 6,000
NYLON
P.D.A. 24, HG* 24 8.5 21.9 336.0 350 360 LBS 9,800
NYLON
P.D.A. 24, PG 24 8.0 21.9 336.0 300 360 LBS 9,800

*ADD 1 LB IN ITEM WEIGHT FOR THE PARASWIVEL ON THE L.A.R.A. AND P.D.A.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 7 of 12

REPAIRS

 No major repairs or any alterations are authorized. Any repairs done in the field must be of a
nature that no disassembly of any portion of the canopy is required. Any such maintenance
must be returned to the factory.
 A certificated senior or master parachute rigger may do repairs such as a small patch (less than
9” dimension of the largest damaged area). The repairs must be done in accordance with the
procedures in the Poynters Parachute Manual.
 Repair damage with a maximum dimension of 1/2" or less using a single inside-patch made from
MIL-C-44378 cloth, or an equivalent. The patch shall be a minimum of 2" and folded under at
edges 1/2” on each side. Sew with a single needle sewing machine 1/16” from edge. Use a single
row, 301 stitch, 7-11 s.p.i., with V-T-295 Type II, Class A, Size E Thread, overstitched a minimum
of 1/2". Do not remove damaged material.
 Repairs shall be limited to one per gore and three per canopy.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 8 of 12

 PACKING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Thread a piece of suspension line through the tabs at 2. Tie the ends together and fasten to a tension
the crown of the canopy. See View 1. device. See View 2.

View 1 View 2

3. Attach the other end of the parachute (at the bridle) to the other tension device. Separate the line groups (one
to each side of the centerline at the bridle). Run a four-line check. See Views 3 – 4.

View 3 View 4

4. Flake the canopy in the conventional manner. Place half of the gores on each side. Straighten the skirt and fold
each side 45 degrees. See View 5.

View 5

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5. Dress each gore at the crown of the canopy with your hand. See View 6 – 7.

View 6 View 7

6. Fold the canopy in thirds. Then, fold again into fifths, placing shot bags as needed. See View 8 – 9.

View 8 View 9

7. Pull the control line from the tabs at the crown of the canopy. See View 10. Make sure to remove control line prior to
packing canopy into the deployment bag!

View 10

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8. Place the crown (or top) of the canopy in the deployment 9. S-fold the remainder of the canopy into the
bag. See View 11. deployment bag. See View 12.

View 11 View 12

10. Close the first flap of the bag and stow the suspension 11. Using your hand or a fid with a notch end, S-fold the
lines using rubber bands. Make each stow no longer than suspension lines into the side pouch. See View 14.
1”. See View 13.

View 13 View 14

12. Along with the suspension lines, fold 2 feet of the bridle 13. Close the outside flap, S-folding the rest of the bridle
into the side pouch. Note that most of the bridle stays on using 1” stows. See View 16.
the outside of the bag. See View 15.

View 15 View 16
14. Using the method appropriate for the harness, place the packed parachute into the container.

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 11 of 12

 Safe and happy gliding!

L.A.R.A. & P.D.A. Page 12 of 12