SIGMA II

In the realm of engineering, “Sigma” signifies a culmination or solution to challenges.

We proudly dubbed our latest tandem system Sigma II, embodying all we’ve learned about tandem equipment and its users. After extensive development and rigorous testing, the Sigma II Tandem system has emerged as our most robust and secure offering to date.

Your feedback guided us every step of the way. Featuring an exceptionally comfortable harness and an elevated free-fall position for instructors, alongside the student harness designed for maximum comfort—this setup is unmatched. With newly designed, military-grade ballistic leg pads, VGH articulating harness, retractable release handles, easy component replacement options, and our originally patented Disc Release system matched with the all new patented TB Pulley Release design—we’re setting new and even higher standards in safety and convenience.

Constructed for durability and fatigue reduction, the Sigma II feels more like a sport container than mere work gear.

ENHANCED

en·hanced

/inˈhans,enˈhansed/

verb

intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.

For 24 years, the Sigma tandem system has set the standard for innovation while evolving the skydiving and aerospace industries. Exploring the limits of what is possible, UPT has meticulously upgraded every feature based on your needs and feedback along with over 6 years of testing and data from our military Tandem Heavy System developments. Safety, durability, and comfort are paramount, making it uniquely inspired by rigorous military and celestial conditions. Now with a sleek new design, the SIGMA II is ready to tackle even the most demanding environments.

MCS | MODULAR COMFORT SYSTEM

Our newly designed optional MCS Back Pad ensures maximum comfort and reduced fatigue for the tandem instructor. With Military testing input, we can confirm that the Sigma II Tandem System is ready to go to work. Experience enhanced ergonomic support with redesigned lumbar support and removable over shoulder comfort padding. This removable option is proven to reduce instructor fatigue and allows for easy maintenance.

ALD | ANTI-LINE DUMP MAIN D-BAG

Our newly designed optional Anti-Line Dump Main Deployment Bag evenly distributes line payout during deployment sequence. With significant HEAVY weight testing and packing analysis, we find this deployment bag to be an excellent enhancement reducing parachute wear and maximizing system protection.

Recommended for high elevation drop zones enduring high density altitude deployments.

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The Vector 3 and Micron from UPT are the most comprehensive, most feature rich and best-selling containers on the market. With a wide range of options to suit every user and every budget, we’ll make sure that your container is truly tailored to you.

Built in our ISO: 9001 certified factory, we ensure the highest quality of craftsmanship combined with the latest advancements in skydiving technology.

When you jump your Vector 3, you can do so knowing that you’re jumping the very best.

Standard Features

Your brand new Vector 3 comes loaded with lots of great features, including: Standard Deluxe Backpad, Magnetic Riser Covers, one piece Leg Pads, standard or low profile metal D Handle, soft Cutaway Handle, plastic deployment handle and your choice of colors.

Want to make it a bit more special? Check out our most popular options.

Options

We know how important it is that your gear is as unique as you are. That’s why we offer a range of options for your Vector 3.

You can see our most popular ones below, or find out more about all of the different options by clicking here.

Available Styles

You can have your brand new Vector 3 exactly how you want it with our range of container styles.

Want to see how each one would look with your colors? Check out our rig designer by clicking here.

Closely behind the three ring release system, the Skyhook RSL is one of the greatest skydiving innovations from our founder, Bill Booth.

Effectively using the malfunctioning main canopy as a pilot chute for the reserve, the Skyhook RSL dramatically speeds up the process of deploying a reserve canopy after cutting away a malfunctioning main canopy.

Due to the nature of its design, it is effective in both high, and low-speed malfunctions and is suitable for all types of jumping, including camera flying.

The Skyhook RSL is strongly recommended as an optional extra for all new Vector 3 containers.

Find out more about the Skyhook RSL by clicking here.

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CONFIGURED FOR YOUR STUDENT’S NEEDS.

Whether you’re teaching static line, or AFF, throw out, or ripcord, the Vector SE has got your student covered. Built to the same high standards and demanding specifications as the Vector 3, it is user configurable to whatever you need and can be easily changed – making it perfect for a busy DZ with multiple training courses.

Standard Features

The Vector SE comes loaded with features, including: Magnetic Riser Covers, Hand Deployment bag, Metal D Handle, Reserve Pin Window, and our Skyhook RSL.

If you would like to configure it for other deployment methods, or customize it, check out the available options below.

AFF BOC and Static Line setup also available upon request.

Only available in the following sizes:

V348, V350, V351, V352, V353, V354, V355, V357, V358, V360-1, V360-2, V360-3, V361, V362, V364, V364-1, V375, V378, V380, V382, V392, V392-2, V397.

Vector SE History

In 2002 UPT decided that an upgrade to the then Vector 2 student rig was required. We had already stopped production of the Vector 2 sport system, but we had continued to produce the Vector 2 student system as a low cost alternative to DZO™s, but we identified a need to keep up with the times and update to the latest technology of the day.

• Engineering: We went about the design in the following fashion. First of all we wanted a container that was still cost effective, comfortable, easy to use and easy to maintain – while also utilizing the latest technology to ensure the safest container for low experience jumpers. Many other manufacturers had gone the route of adding student options to their sport rig, which is not very cost effective and is difficult to maintain, with features not necessarily beneficial to student operations.
• Comfort: We based the backpad and yoke on our already popular Vector 3 container – we also added extra foam padding to the legpads with double wide webbing. The legpads also have a simple form of adjustment to fit a wider range of jumpers.
• Cost: We purposely costed the container below that of our sport container. We were able to do this by simplifying the container without compromising safety and strength. For example, we changed the centre flap design to a 3 stripe instead of a 5 stripe design which saved an hour of production costs. We also removed the full wraparound corners of the main container, but still maintained excellent bridle protection. We reduced the amount of options available thus requiring less time in the production and inspection process.
• Ease of use: We removed the internal riser covers to make packing simpler for inexperienced jumpers. We also added the reserve and AAD windows so instructors could perform more effective gear checks without opening flaps, especially useful in smaller aircraft. The external riser covers were designed to be easily replaced. All components are less expensive to replace, adding to your bottom line.
• Technology and safety: The Skyhook system was made a standard feature on all SE containers. This is the latest greatest reserve deployment system. This feature adds to the wellbeing and confidence of the student after a cutaway, besides getting the reserve out in about 33 meters. This container is also built with UPT’s usual high standard of quality and support to ISO 9001:2000 standard.

Available colors

Disclaimer:

Due to color variances among monitors the colors that appear on your screen may not be exact. Please see your Dealer for color swatches.

*Kryptek Corduras (Mandrake, Highlander, Typhon and Raid) all have KRYPTEK logos “ghosted” in fabric that cannot be removed or replaced and are completely random within the pattern.

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Meet The Mutant

Evolution

At the dawn of skydiving, we jumped round canopies and impacted the ground vertically. Ram-air wings were the first major canopy flight innovation, finally allowing us to flare and land with more finesse, but still in the same old vertical hanging position. Around that time, paragliders emerged and took the game to the next logical level by putting the pilot in a seat, with the wing attachment points at their hips. This positional shift makes use of pilots’ weight for roll and yaw control, and additionally provides the aerodynamic advantage of a body position capable of affecting drag, and therefore speed and pitch, all without ever touching toggles! This  made insane advances in performance possible and gave birth to the acrobatic element of the sport. 

Antoine Montant, a pioneer of this discipline, became friends with Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen. The challenge was born to create a similar harness suitable for skydiving. This revolutionary system has been developed over ten years, through extensive research and design collaboration with Vince, Mark Procos and Bikkies Blignaut of UPT, along with Ian Bobo from the PD Factory Team. The result is a true canopy flight powerhouse that meets the needs of jumpers who enjoy freeflying as much as swooping, in one dynamic container.

Technical

The Mutant is a Micron on steroids. In free-fall you have access to all your tried-and-tested features. After opening the main, you can release the upper 3-rings to transition into flight-mode and start flying from your hips. Alternatively, The Mutant can be landed as a traditional skydiving rig, without converting to flight-mode. There are various options available when ordering your Mutant, whether you plan on using the rig solely for hop-and-pop canopy piloting or in free-fall, as well. 

The canopy flight and sight picture of the Mutant in flight-mode will be a new experience in control and agility. Pilots will require extra awareness during their initial jumps as they transition to flight-mode and adjust accordingly. The Mutant is not for every jumper. The adjusted emergency procedures and added performance envelope demand experience and training. 

The Mutant is suitable for a relatively small pool of potential users, as to safely fly a Mutant (and to be permitted to use a Mutant) one must either be an experienced paraglider/speed flier, an advanced canopy pilot, or both. The Mutant can also be used by a physically impaired experienced canopy pilot who is seeking a modified landing position. 

Performance

swooping | free fall

The Mutant is an ideal tool to advance the discipline of canopy piloting. Whether screaming across a pond or flying near terrain,The Mutant places you in the most efficient position.

If you want to have your cake and eat it, too, we’ve got good news. The Mutant can be used on terminal free fall jumps. We have athletes flying their Mutants at high speeds and on all axes in free fall before opening and transitioning into the more ergonomic flight-mode. It’s a rig built for those of you who want to swoop the pond after nailing your next vertical record.

Options

Let’s talk about those options:

Currently the sizes the we offer for the Mutant are: 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 310, 314, 316, 319 and 320

Please follow this Canopy Sizing Chart for more information.

Risers

• The standard risers available with the Mutant are 30”.

Here are the reasons: Longer risers make for easier/safer packing as otherwise the toggles are almost out of the riser covers and there is excess line close to the bottom of the reserve tray. This would be similar to a 21” riser in a standard Micron.

• Longer risers, 33″ or 36″: For those pilots with longer arms that are happy with the performance and prefer to keep their rig tidy for free fall. This would be similar to a 23-25” riser in a standard Micron.
• Shorter risers, 27” or less: Some competition canopy pilots are opting for shorter risers for the change in performance (more sensitivity), they tend to not free fly with their Mutants.

The Mutant is delivered with 30″ Low Drag risers without dive loops, standard front dive loops can be added at no extra charge. Louie Loops are available as an add on option. 

Bottom of container

We offer 3 options:

• the standard boxed corner
• dynamic WS corner
• ‘Old Style’ WS corner.

Your choice will depend upon how you want to use your rig. 

If you intend to use your Mutant for canopy piloting competition and you want to make absolutely sure that those corners are open on deployment, then we would recommend the dynamic WS corners (this is especially true for high pack volume, high performance main canopies usually consisting of cross braced sail material, during sub terminal openings).

If you plan on taking your Mutant into free fall,  in order to maintain pressure on the main handle we recommend the regular corner or the ‘old style’ WS corners. The ‘old style’ WS corners are standard corners that are not stitched all the way up (about half way) which allows a more open container for those high pulls or XRW.

Seat Pad Materials

• Standard
• Ballistic

If you plan on using your Mutant more for free fall purposes, we offer a softer, more malleable solution for harness protection with the same support for supine flying.

We always recommend that you aim for a soft landing but, if you are a competition pilot and you know that there is going to be some wear and tear, we offer a ‘Ballistic’ seat pad.

Seat Pad Sizing

• Standard Length
• +1 length
• +2 length
• +3 length

We all have slightly different size bodies and therefore we offer a standard length seat pad as well as 3 progressively longer options to help you find the right fit for the way that you fly. If you have previous supine experience, we recommend going for the longer seat pad straight away. We find most average height pilots are comfortable with the +2 length option. The container size will add to this change. Example: v314 will be longer than a v306 resulting in less additional length required. (see measurements on canopy sizing chart)

Harness

The standard configuration is a fully adjustable harness. Once you are confident with the fitment and settings you have the option to remove particular hardware for less weight and bulk, and to effectively ‘fix’ the harness to your dimensions.  You may wish to order your Mutant with a fixed harness –  in order to do so , you must provide the harness measurements located in the MUTANT MANUAL-014.

Hook Knife

The standard option will be on your chest strap, we also offer an add on option for your leg strap.

Ready to Order?

The process of obtaining one of these systems starts by completing  an application and waiver here:  Mutant Application.  

If your application is approved, you will submit an order form and  be paired with one of our global Mutant Ambassadors in your region through Flight-1. 

From there, Flight-1 has developed a Mutant training program to first establish whether a pilot is safely ready to fly the Mutant harness, and subsequently train qualified pilots how to properly use the system. This training program has been launched in conjunction with the system. Once your Flight-1 Coach and Mutant Ambassador determine that you are ready to participate in this program, your Mutant will be produced and you will be scheduled to start training on it.

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The best system for Instructor and Student

• Through years of development and testing, the Sigma series of Tandem equipment is now the best and safest Tandem system we’ve ever produced.
• The comfortable harness and head-high free-fall position are great for the Instructor, and our Student harness is the most sophisticated and comfortable money can buy.
• Superior pin protection, retractable release handles, user-friendly component replacement and our Patented Disc Release system are just more ways that put us ahead of the competition.

Standard Features

Your brand new Sigma, or Micro Sigma, Tandem system comes loaded features, including: adjustable student harness, Magnetic Riser Covers, adjustable container harness, Double Wide Legpads, Retractable Release Handles, Spectra Reserve Ripcord, Reserve Pin Window, and our Skyhook RSL.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SIGMA TANDEM

• It takes fewer steps, with fewer potential errors to close the main container.
• Accidentally snagging the drogue bridle will not open the container.
• Out-of-sequence deployments are virtually eliminated.
• Its center-of-main-container drogue connection gives a more “natural” and comfortable droguefall position.
• The drogue release ripcords are automatically retracted after use, or accidental snagging, so
  that they are always where they should be, cannot be lost, and don’t have to be stowed after
  pulling.
• It has two redundant drogue release ripcords, one on the right and one on the left.
• The drogue release/container opening pin is “locked” until you throw the drogue, minimizing
  the possibility of accidental high openings.
• No more time-consuming untwisting of drogue kill line during packing. Kill lines can be easily
  replaced in the field. You still get a more or less normal deployment if the kill line breaks, and
  you don’t lose your drogue.
• Main deployment bag design reduces canopy damage.
• Student harness that is safer and more comfortable for students.
• The Skyhook RSL system.
• The “Collin’s Lanyard,” and all of it’s advantages.
• Tuck tab style reserve pin cover.
• Magnetic riser covers.
• Clear plastic windows make reserve pin checks and AAD operation easier.

Available colors

Disclaimer:

Due to color variances among monitors the colors that appear on your screen may not be exact. Please see your Dealer for color swatches.

*Kryptek Corduras (Mandrake, Highlander, Typhon and Raid) all have KRYPTEK logos “ghosted” in fabric that cannot be removed or replaced and are completely random within the pattern.

Canopies

UPT PD Sigma Tandem Main Canopy

This canopy, made by Performance Designs exclusively for United Parachute Technologies, is the preferred choice for use with Sigma and Micro Sigma Tandem Containers. 

Available in these sizes:

• 340 (for use with Micro Sigma)
• 370 (for use with Sigma)
• 395 (for use with Sigma)

All sizes of the UPT PD Sigma Tandem Main Canopy have an approved gross weight limit of 500 lbs., which is approximately 50 pounds of gear and 450 pounds of jumper weight.

UPT Sigma II Tandem Reserve Canopy

The Sigma II Reserve is an all low-permeability nylon, slightly tapered, nine
cell, dual-harness reserve parachute. Available in sizes 340 or 370.

The release of the Sigma II Reserve is also paired with a new deployment bag that better contains the reserve lines. Testing was done using these bags, sized for both the Micro Sigma and Sigma. NOTE: The VR360 is suitable for use in the SR370 bag; however, the SR370 will not fit in the Micro Sigma bag. 

The Sigma II Reserve 370 is designed to fit both a standard Sigma container, and a Micro Sigma. Whereas, the SR340 is designed to fit only the Micro Sigma.

SR340 Specifications:

• Wing Span: 29.3 ft.
• Wing Chord (End Cell): 10.36 ft.; Wing Chord (Center Cell) 11.95 ft.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.52:1
• Canopy weight: 12.5 lbs.
• Pack Volume: Designed to fit Micro Sigma container
• Approved for use as reserve parachute canopy per TSO-C23f
• Minimum exit weight per TSO-C23f: 200 lbs.
• Maximum exit weight per TSO-C23f: 550 lbs.
• Fabric type: All F-111 (1.1 oz 0.5-3 cfm, 30 Denier Nylon, Rip Stop)
• Line type:
• A/C = 1,500 lbs. Vectran
• B/D = 1,000 lbs. Vectran
• Lower Control Line = 1,500 lbs. Vectran
• Upper Control Lines = 1,000 lbs. Vectran

SR370 Specifications:

• Wing Span: 30.5 ft.
• Wing Chord (End Cell): 10.81 ft.; Wing Chord (Center Cell) 12.47 ft.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.52:1
• Canopy weight: 13.1 lbs.
• Pack Volume: Designed to fit standard Sigma container
• Approved for use as reserve parachute canopy per TSO-C23f
• Minimum exit weight per TSO-C23f: 200 lbs.
• Maximum exit weight per TSO-C23f: 550 lbs.
• Fabric type: All F-111 (1.1 oz 0.5-3 cfm, 30 Denier Nylon, Rip Stop)
• Line type:
• A/C = 1,500 lbs. Vectran
• B/D = 1,000 lbs. Vectran
• Lower Control Line = 1,500 lbs. Vectran
• Upper Control Lines = 1,000 lbs. Vectran

GENERAL

The Sigma II Reserve is a modern 9-cell slightly tapered ram-air design that fully compliments UPT’s Sigma Tandem System. The SR’s maximum weight limit is higher than the legacy VR-360 tandem reserve. This reserve canopy is designed to open, fly and land far more like a tandem main parachute than a traditional reserve.

Following years of development and refinement, the Sigma II Reserve in both sizes (340 & 370 sq.ft.) has met and/or exceeded the required test standards of TSO-C23f.

The primary goal of the Sigma II Reserve tandem canopy developmental program was to provide an even higher level of safety to the tandem skydiving community. After many years of development and drop testing UPT is confident that the performance and reliability of this reserve parachute will speak for itself.

PACKING

Ease of packing by certificated parachute riggers was a consideration throughout the development of the Sigma II Reserve Parachute. The introduction of a cascaded Vectran line set means easier bulk distribution and a reduction in overall pack volume compared to the continuous Dacron line set used on the VR-360.

The modern planform design of the Sigma II Reserve is slightly tapered at the leading and trailing edge which makes parts of the pack job stack staggered at some locations. To aide in packing organization UPT use alternating white and black line tabs to easily identify line groups. The recommended packing method is pro-pack style reserve, see the manual for detailed packing instructions.

OPENINGS

Sub-terminal openings are typically soft and comfortable, with a short snivel and an even, progressive inflation that develops from the center to the outboard cells. Terminal openings typically involve light to moderate snatch forces, with signs of a brief snivel, before progressing into an inflation that is quick but not hard.

Tandem reserve deployments are unique in that they can occur from an inflated main parachute with a very low speed SkyHook deployment or from the very high speeds of drogueless tandem terminal. The Sigma II Reserve development specifically took this broad speed range into consideration to provide an opening that meets the altitude or time loss requirements specified by TSO-C23f. Careful attention was placed on minimizing opening forces for safety, especially in the high-speed spectrum.* Test jumps also included deployments with several induced line twists, where it was found that the Sigma II Reserve opened and inflated at generally the same rate. With reasonable body position, it remained centered overhead with no tendency toward diving or losing additional altitude.

* IMPORTANT NOTE: The FAA requires reserves to be tested beyond their placarded weights and speeds to provide an additional margin of safety. The Sigma II Reserves have been tested per the FAA’s requirements; however, you should NEVER exceed the maximum placarded weight for a reserve or deploy it at a higher airspeed than the maximum placarded speed. The deployment time and altitude described in the TSO should not be used to determine a minimum safe altitude for reserve deployment. You should always perform emergency procedures at or above the minimum altitude recommended in the Sigma Tandem Manual and Instructor Training Course.

FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS

The Sigma II Reserve has a slightly flatter glide than the VR-360. Descent rate and glide more closely resembles that of a similar-sized main canopy than other reserves.

The Sigma II Reserve has an overall intuitive response to control inputs. The Sigma II feels similar in toggle turns to a tandem main canopy of the same size, making the control range more familiar and easier to adapt to.

The Sigma II has a fairly long control range for a reserve parachute, with excellent slow flight
characteristics. The stall point is very deep for a reserve, so much so that it may be possible to fly at full arm extension for a few seconds prior to getting a stall. Altitude permitting, it is best to check the control range, i.e. practice flares and braked flight performance of the Sigma II prior to landing.

The Sigma II Reserve is designed to minimize toggle effort while maximizing the flare power on landing. Customers will find that the increase in flare power and familiar toggle stroke make the Sigma II Reserve’s landing performance and predictability more closely resembles that of a main parachute.

The canopy responds directly to proper flare input. The beginning of the flare is easy to find, starting around mid stroke. With the long control range and powerful response, it is easier to land well, with timing of the input being less critical than for other reserve parachutes of similar size.

*Exercising proper skill and technique will result in a flaring must be timed well. Regardless of how great the flare potential is with the Sigma II Reserve, a hard landing will be the likely result from a poorly timed flare.

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