Paramotor Strength Test GONE WRONG

Two specific things I was testing during an infinite tumble at 8 G's:
1) Strength of the OpenPPG SP140 frame.
Result: Swing arms bent
2) Strength of the cutaway adapters from Blacksheep Rigging. I use these for the front mount cutaway reserve system I'm developing for a paramotor.
Result: Passed
What I learned:
1) Don't splice ripcord housing with heatshrink.
2) Get a bigger canopy because landing this thing sucks with that much weight on your back.

[@WoodysGamertag]

I've seen video of people that scream and become a total passenger when things go wrong. Kudos to you for working the problem immediately and staying in the game. Having said that, maybe you want to test this stuff in more of a lab setting? You could have just as much fun with a little bit lower risk profile.

[@ooglek]

Wow. That's a crazy 8 seconds!!! Thanks for testing things like this so we don't have to. Glad you made it out safely!!! Thanks for sharing the detailed step-by-step!

[@SharkyintheSky]

Dude! That was a trip. Thanks for posting the video.You did a great job saving yourself :' )

[@LorenCox]

Thank you for the detailed break down! The swings arms on the SP140 are likely the first thing I'll replace...

[@glydrfreak]

Definitely go for the Iris arms! I’ve been flying with the Iris arms ever since this video and they have held up so well. If you are looking to get some, I can get some custom ones on order for you! Just let me know

[@LorenCox]

@@glydrfreak Nice, will do once I get the setup in a couple months. I didn't see them offered on their website so was wondering if they are still making them. What'd they run ya? lemme guess..... 5 bills?

[@THESkiViking]

Impressive response and preparations!

[@PPaavveell1]

Just a suggestion.... This is a long known risk in skydiving gear RSL and MARD systems. RSL, MARD conected riser releasing while the second one still attached. Can get u killed fast... There is a solution to this problem ... Just look up Collins lanyard system in skydiving gear. UPT specificaly. Stay safe and good luck.

[@aleshaleee]

Enjoyed learning about your adventure. Im a fan of ppg cutaway systems and steerable canapys coming from skydive background.

[@spencil12]

It's amazing how in control you are throughout the process!

[@londono007]

If the arm didn't support the force, why not to connect the reserve to the harness carabineers ( the ones for the reserve)?

[@glydrfreak]

Good question! This harness actually has a redundant strap on each side for if I ever lose a swing arm. Convenient enough for me, that redundant strap has two hook in points, one of which I used for the glider and the other I used for the base canopy.

[@MitchellKager]

Hey Braedin. How do you like the SP140 for acro? I am a relatively new pilot who is selling my original ICE unit for a number of preferences I have developed. I have watched the SP140 intently and am considering putting in a preorder for an upcoming batch. I don't have a ton of interest in XC. I enjoy getting up and exploring the ways in which I can orient my wing / my body, and I seek a model suitable for compact apartment life. Do you think an electric unit would be suitable as a full time rig for playing around with introductory acro? I watched all my historical flight footage and couldn't find a day on which I flew for more than one hour, so I feel as though buying something which is most convenient for actually getting to the field (I could keep everything but the battery in my car) would actually maximize the total time I spend flying. Best.

[@glydrfreak]

The SP140 frame as it comes is not ideal for acro because of the weak and bendable swing arms. However, with the upgraded swing arms from iris paramotor, it does really well. The rotational inertias are very low since the battery is right against your back, which is good news for preventing line twists. As far as flight times are concerned, I can get a solid two acro runs from 3000 ft each before the battery is dead. Flying full on acro puts me around 25 minutes, which is plenty off time for me to get dizzy and sick to my stomach 😁 All in all, this is my primary machine and I have no regrets. I highly recommend it.

[@MarlonJonat]

That is some serios shit! Great that you stayed so calm and made the right decision! I am glad to found your video. Keep up the good work and stay safe! How do you like the electric paramotor?

[@glydrfreak]

Thanks! I love my electric paramotor!

[@southernutahparamotor8258]

Check out Dmitri Zyuzin’s Iris swingarms. Super strong and the coolest looking. He does strength testing on all of his parts. Dope video! Always quality content from you

[@glydrfreak]

I secretly love his swing arms. Time to find an upgrade!

[@rickardjonsson4526]

What size and grade bolts are used on the swingarm to frame connection on the sp140?

[@glydrfreak]

M8 class 12.9 partially threaded

[@rickardjonsson4526]

@@glydrfreak do you think/know if thats the optimal solution? Thinking about the brittleness in hardened bolts. I have unit with the same design and trying to figure out whats best.

[@glydrfreak]

@@rickardjonsson4526 it’s hard to say. When I upgraded from M8 to M10 with stronger arms, I couldn’t decide which class bolt I wanted. But I opted for 10.9

[@LovelyQueenLynn]

you should try to make it so the reserve doesn't get wrapped up by the wings

[@glydrfreak]

That’s the whole point of this system. This was a malfunction.

[@ripmanridin7092]

Wow!

[@davidbackus9201]

Nice job ! How did the BASE canopy fly under power ?

[@glydrfreak]

I didn’t try with this motor cuz I knew I probly had release cable housing hanging near my prop. But on my last cutaway test I had a moster and I was able to hold level flight at full power. This canopy is way too heavily loaded though so I bet with a bigger one I could probably climb.

[@christiand7320]

Awesome video! Where do you put the insta360?

[@glydrfreak]

I’m just sitting on the selfie stick.

[@hangingbyathread1195]

Flexible stainless spiral seems overkill anyway, PTFE tube would probably work just as well and you could get full length.

[@glydrfreak]

The Stainless spiral stuff it’s what’s used on skydive and base rigs. But one major downfall I found with them is the length can expand and contract! My buddy is using PTFE tube for his set up, and I think I’m gonna do the same.

[@ncsjumper]

PTFE tubing sounds nice and all, but I would be very worried about it cracking or stretching. I would recommend using the metal hard cutaway housings that you have, but cut and crimped correctly. There's no need to reinvent the wheel, here. There's a reason we still use them in sky and BASE rigs. Last time someone tried to change it up, they came out with soft housings. After too many issues with binding up, they were mostly taken off the market.

[@glydrfreak]

@@ncsjumper thanks for that feedback! Any suggestions on what I can use to crimp the splice? Or maybe a source where I can find the proper length? Haha I found a source that is requiring me to buy a huge qty minimum.

[@ncsjumper]

@@glydrfreak I'd hit up Nick Burden. Same guy who made your cutaway setup.

[@hangingbyathread1195]

@@ncsjumper There's not really a reason to worry about it cracking or stretching, and they are more rigid in their length than the SS anyway.

[@johnalexbaker]

I'm happy to throw some stuff in an instron for you whenever... just lmk.

[@rp71]

Wow.

[@laosokkol]

❤️