Round and cross caps

for rescue parachutes

Countless pilots have relied on our rescue equipment for more than 30 years. They have already saved lives in numerous emergency situations or during safety training.

Round and cross caps

All of our round cap models have proven themselves in numerous emergency openings over the years! Even today, they are an excellent compromise between weight, performance and price.

However, our cross cap models show a significantly higher performance in terms of opening time, pendulum stability and low sink rate than the classic round cap models. Since a rescue system is a very durable product with a stable value, the technically best solution should always be chosen with regard to a service life of more than 10 years. After all, a higher purchase price - measured against the service life of the device - does not weigh heavily!

Therefore, we clearly recommend the purchase of a cross cap. The advantages are obvious!

The model rage in comparison

Mit unserer großen Modellpalette haben wir für jeden Geldbeutel, jedes Startgewicht und jeden Einsatzzweck das optimale Rettungsgerät im Programm.

Below we have collected questions about round and cross caps. Perhaps the answers will help you decide on the right rescue equipment.

FAQs about cruciform parachutes

Due to its special way of being packed, the parachute can easily fill with air without time lag directly after deployment. Additionally the low construction height of our cruciform parachutes has only little volume to be filled.

Defined outlet ports at each corner as well as a slightly asymmetric canopy lead to a steady flow around the canopy. An unregular outlet, which would cause pendulum movements, thereby can be prevented.

The low construction height of our cruciform parachutes and a quite flat top side, in comparison with an annular parachute, provide a far larger projected surface at same material quantity.

Their slight lateral movement and resultant ascending force additionally reduce the sink rate.

No! Lateral movement of our cruciform parachutes is below walking pace, thus usually below wind speed.

To laterally hit a barrier consequently is pretty much unlikely and according to its speed wouldn't cause much harm. Additionally the lateral movement is reduced by the air drag of the paraglider, which usually stays attached to the pilot. To separate the glider is not possible in most cases anyway, because of the carabiners and accelerating systems used - and not necessary anyhow!

Its a known fact for many years, that annular parachutes do show lateral movements as well! The according glide ratio, especially of small annular parachutes with heavy total load, is quite high in comparison with our EVO Cross or Ultra Cross. Small annular parachutes could never reach those sink rates merely by the according air drag. That's why low sink rates outweigh slight lateral movements.

No! That's neither necessary nor favoured!

Usually a rescue system is activated at an altitude of 100m or even less. It is absolutely unrealistic to presume the pilot, at an remaining air time of about 20 seconds (altitude 100m), being able to carry out following steps:

  • activate rescue system
  • separate speed system
  • separate paraglider
  • get hold of steering lines of the rescue parachute
  • find and land on a suitable landing area.

Of course it is! All rescue systems undergo the same tough material tests! There is no difference at all between tests for a light-weight rescue parachute and a normal rescue parachute.

The fabric used for Ultra Cross is made of the same high grade nylon 6.6 like the fabric used for an Annular Classic or Annular EVO – only its filament is much thinner. Thats why its durability is identical to thicker fabrics.

FAQs about round parachutes

No! Far from it. Our Annular Evo series have been certified for the first time not only according to LTF specifications, but also according to EN specifications.

Our first Annular Evo series had been developed and certified without ram air pockets. But by that time we were not pleased with the results during EN certification test concerning constancy and deployment time, as EN tests are much closer to practical experience than LTF test. After analysing these results, we decided to develop deployment accelerators for all our round rescue parachutes in order to enhance deployment certainty and accelerate the deployment.

And we are absolutely pleased with our development result: Constant and low deployment time! Anyhow - we had to undergo certification for all certified models again, a costly measure, but worth the effort.

Yes! It is possible to refit all previous Annular or Piccolo models with ram air pockets. Refitting is straightforward and available at reasonable price. Costs charged for a refitting: 110,- € (incl. 19% VAT). This price includes:

  • Fitting ram air pockets
  • Re-packing rescue system
  • Check of rescue parachute
  • Shipping costs (within Germany and Austria)

Every round canopy parachute develops more or less a movement to the side! This "glide ratio" is very high especially for small round canopies with large trailer loads, compared for example with the cross canopy EVO Cross!

Only via the resistance (with purely vertical sinking), especially with small round canopies, the required sink rates could not be achieved physically at all. The lateral movement is in principle not further relevant, since the lower sink rate is to be evaluated significantly higher.