Charly DIAMONDcross Light Steerable
Simple, safe, optionally steerable super light square canopy.

Packing Instructions

• Operating instructions DIAMONDcross ST light (EN)
  
• Packing instructions DIAMONDcross ST light (EN)
  
• Charly DIAMONDcross Packing Instruction video

Charly DIAMOND Cross - the reserve parachute for every situation
https://charly-produkte.de/dcinfo-en.pdf (More details about the below topics)

When choosing your emergency reserve parachute, there are many parameters which you should pay attention to in advance. One thing, however, is never predictable: When, where and if you ever need to use your parachute.

Steerable vs. non-steerable rescue systems
The canopy trim with S-fold, similar to hang gliders, provides a high righting moment. The risk of downplane and stable shear positions are thus prevented.

Disconnecting vs. not disconnecting the main glider
In any case, the canopy trim ensures that the main glider can be easily pulled in with little effort, or even at least unilaterally be released with conventional carabiners, also if it is not disconnected.

Parachutes with headway vs. vertical sinking
Due to the diagonal orientation of the canopy and the trim with longer lines at the trailing edge, the Charly DIAMOND Cross generates a high aerodynamic righting moment. Therefore, there is no tendency for a stable downplane as is the case for Rogallos with similar forward speed.

New tests performed for opening safety of the DIAMOND Cross
Author and test pilot: Tom Grabner

Already during the development of the DIAMONDcross, the topic "entanglement of the rescue system with the main glider" was crucial for diverse product details, which have been certified with additional tests far above certification criteria during the summer. The most dangerous situations for a rescue system becoming entangled with the main glider are SAT-like rotations after tangling up. This was simulated by holding collapses.

• Charly DIAMONDcross steerable rescue parachute: Deployment in SAT-like rotations (left) https://youtu.be/EEmj4LcDkms
• Charly DIAMONDcross steerable rescue parachute: Deployment in SAT-like rotations (right) https://youtu.be/IIyT2XU4_DE
• Charly DIAMONDcross practical tests. https://youtu.be/k18PfN9KPo4

DIAMOND Cross has a defined forward speed in a diagonal direction with the effect of a significantly reduced sink speed. This results on the one hand in a higher aspect ratio compared to conventional square canopies, those propulsion mainly takes place towards one side, and on the other hand in the asymmetrical airflow of the convex sides of the DIAMONDcross canopy, thereby receiving an ascending forced optimised profile.

The horizontal movement which is typical for every modern round canopy and square canopy can be steered for the DIAMONDcross ST (Steerable) in a certain direction if required. Obstacles like e.g. power lines can thus be avoided and an emergency landing field can be precisely approached with a glide ratio of ca. 1:1,5. There are no disadvantages for the DIAMONDcross ST compared with conventional cruciform canopies.

The DIAMOND Cross has different line lengths which have the effect that the strips of the canopy don't lie on top of each other when packing the canopy. This diversification causes an easier air inlet when opening and thus an increased opening speed compared to conventional square canopies. The packing of the DIAMONDcross is not more time-consuming or more complex than for a normal cruciform canopy.

The superlight DC thus combines the low packing effort of round- and square canopies with the controllability of Rogallo rescue systems. For the DIAMONDcross, there is no risk of „downplane" directly after opening, which is the case for Rogallo rescue systems, also when flown too slow, if it opens with the top downwards.

The concept of the DIAMONDcross works without pre-brake and therefore the system is very reliable and remains very easy to handle.

Further Safety Aspects
There are no potential hazards in consequence of the steer-ability:?The twisting of the lines, which often is unavoidable when using a controllable rescue system, doesn't cause any special risks. The DIAMOND Cross can also be controlled in a twisted configuration. The red colour marking on the front head indicates clearly visible the flight direction for the pilot. 

No risks can arise by excessive pulling or by non-use of the brake handles. There is no risk of stall. A pulling of the brakes is not required when landing, as the canopy already is trimmed at a minimum sink rate. The forward speed also reduces significantly the risk of spine compression during the landing.

The long suspension lines of the DIAMONDcross and the symmetric shape of the canopy lower the risk of causing a collapse of the rescue system and the glider.
Forward movement and low sink rate reduce in addition the risk of a side slip between the rescue system and the glider, and therefore higher sink rates.

A short stall phase of the DIAMONDcross after opening prevents the formation of a „downplane"-position. The DIAMOND Cross merges without the help of the pilot after a short independent stall phase in an easy, very stable and swing-free forward flight.
The special design of the inner container, optimised with the help of Tom Grabner's G-Force trainer ensures safe deployment of the DIAMONDcross with the low effort needed. Especially with regard to inconvenient pulling directions when deploying the rescue system. Therefore we absolutely recommend using the original approved container with the rescue system and adapting the rescue handle of the harness to the container by an authorised service company.

The inner container has a separate space for the suspension lines.
The canopy will only be deployed after the aspect ratio of the suspension lines, which enables a fast and controlled opening. The risk of a cravat of the rescue system and the glider is therefore reduced.

The super-light, the optional steerable square canopy from Charly's product designer Tom Grabner has been registered for patent and certified in four sizes.


Q: Do I have to disconnect my glider when opening the DIAMONDcross?
A: No

Although if the pilot reacts in a passive way, the DIAMONDcross works perfectly. The risk of a side slip is very low for a DIAMOND Cross. Nevertheless, the glider should be disconnected – if possible – from all rescue systems, no matter whether they are steerable or not. The disconnection can be made by separating the glider from the carabiner, as in this case, an automatic separation system for the speed system is absolutely essential. Further opportunities are quick-out carabiners or cutting off the main lines by means of a hook knife.
With the Charly ParaLock Separating Quick-Out Carabiner or Charly Quick-Out Carabiner, the disconnection is very simple. As you can't make general statements about how the glider reacts after rescue deployment and every rescue system is always influenced by the residual resistance of the glider, complete disconnection of the glider can only be an advantage – also if a disconnection is not absolutely necessary for the DIAMONDcross.

Technical Data