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PDA Reserve Parachute

Parachutes are available in two different designs - PDA or pulled down apex, and Annular. The pulled down apex design was historically the first improvement in hang glider reserves over the old conical parachutes. A line connected to the parachute apex pulls down the apex which flattens the parachute and increases inflated diameter. Both of these effects increase drag and reduce the sink rate for a given size of parachute, allowing for the same performance with a lighter, less expensive chute with a smaller pack volume. The Annular design (LARA) takes additional advantage of a shaped gore (panel) to further improve the aerodynamic performance of the parachute - allowing for a still slower descent rate and lower pack weight and volume. Due to higher manufacturing costs, the LARA parachutes are priced somewhat higher.

Wills Wing distributes the 24 Gore PDA parachute manufactured by Free Flight Enterprises. Free Flight parachutes have proven themselves over the years to be the highest quality parachutes available. The 24 Gore PDA parachute is an excellent alternative to the 400 LARA annular parachute if purchase price is the primary concern. The smaller PDA sizes (20 Gore and 22 Gore) have been discontinued because the price difference between those and the LARA 175 and LARA 250 parachutes was not significant enough to justify keeping an additional chute design in production in those sizes.

Free Flight Enterprises PDA Parachute Packing Instructions

Free Flight Enterprises PDA Parachute Specifications Chart (discontinued sizes)

Tech Bulletin #TB20060320 - Free Flight Parachute Packing Inspection (PDF file)

Paraswivel Advisory, May 2000 (PDF file)
 
Specifications:

Imperial Units:          Change to Metric Units
Specification  PDA 24 Gore PG   PDA 24 Gore HG 
Pilot Weight (Max.) (lbs) 400
Bridle Length (ft) 4 24
Paraswivel Optional Integral
Sugg. Retail $714.00 $774.00

Key to Specifications

Note: Retail prices listed are Wills Wing's suggested retail prices not including packaging for shipment from the factory, freight costs to the destination, import and local taxes, and dealer preparation and delivery charges.  For safety reasons, any products shown that require any particular expertise to install or use safely must be purchased through an authorized Wills Wing Dealer.


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Features:
Durable deployment bag included
Fabricated 100% in America by Free-Flight Inc.
Packing Instructions Included
Pararswivel Included on all Hang Gliding Reserves

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Options:
Description Part # Retail
Rigged for Hang Glider or Paraglider    

Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.

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