Wingtip Pouch "Wioletta"

For Dummies

Versions 4.0 & 4.1

Documents, designs and concepts
Copyleft, Creative Commons, Open
source.

30. Jun 2017

Wingtip Pouch "Wioletta"
for dummies
● History
● What is it?
● Why?
● For whom?
● Pros & Cons
● What about the WS
manufacturers?
● DIY : Use your sewing machine!
 1. History of an evolution
2011. The idea of positioning the pilot chute (PC) at hand, without making the
slightest movement of arms, returns to Simon Perriard. He developed the first
system called “Swiss Pouch”. http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/wiki_index.php?title=Wingtip_Pouch_pilot_chute_system_-_SWISS_pouch
 History of an evolution
After the death of Max (BFL 163, 2011), the base wingsuiters community realized that
the risk of a no-pull find was possible with the new high performance WS of these times.
Hervé (BFL 186, 2012) and Wioletta (BFL 193, 2012) suffered the same end. They were
close friends. I then set myself to my sewing machine to build prototypes based on the
“swiss pouch”.
Six riggers or suits manufacturers guided me to reach version 4.0 and 4.1. A "copyleft"
protects the invention against the risk of patent filing. Therefore, the invention belongs
to everyone (open source). One can copy, modify and even sell it with no royalties to
pay.
Some seventeen wingsuits have meet my old Pfaff's needle : Vampire 3, 4, Race, Venom,
Aura, X-Bird, x-wing, Apache, Edge, Hatch. At the end of 2016, the openings triggered
by the Wingtip pouch (WTP) exceeded 500.
Today, the WTP is known worldwide (674 likes of the Face Book page on june 29 th 2017),
I get a lot of questions and encouragement but only a handful of basejumper use it
regularly. And yet, in April 2017 (BFL 315) and June 2017 (BFL320), experienced base
jumpers still die of a no-pull find...
 2. What is the Wingtip Pouch?
The WTP is an opening system
where the pilot chute is not
housed in the bottom of the
container (BOC), but in a pocket at
the tip of the wing. The handle is
therefore always in your palm.
The feeling in flight is similar to a
regular wingsuit, but the opening
moment is awesome!

Opening : You just need to grip the cutaway handle (instead of the gripper) in a soft
transition of your thumb and 2 fingers. Then rotate your wrist 20 cm (8 inches) outward
to pull out the cutaway cables... and the pilot chute pops out straight in clean air flow.
Pulling doesn't require muscular or brain resources anymore... Even after a very long
flight!
The gesture quickly becomes totally natural.
Opening sequence
 What is the WTP?
In the version 4.1, the pilot chute (PC) is enclosed in a pouch built inside the last cell of
the arm wing. It is simply to partition this box to keep the PC in place. The PC is enclosed
by a flap in the same fabrics as the wing, or other (parapack, spandex, zero-po, balloon
tex). The locking is simply made of loops (binding tape type III) held together by a
yellow “cuttaway” cable ... Exactly like on the release of the arm wings.
In the version 4.0, the pouch is simply built ON the bottom skin of the arm wing, not
inside.
 What is the WTP?
A simple opening handle fits in the palm of
the hand. It allows the pouch to be opened
with a wrist movement without changing
the flight position.
The handle is composed of a U-shaped
gutter of +/- 20 cm long, and a double
yellow cable. It is "attached" to the gripper
of the suit thanks to 2 or 3 pairs of
Neodymium magnets. It takes approx. 20N
of traction to detach it.
The handle is customized for the different
models of wingsuits. It can be replaced by
a thumb ring, a tubular handle... or a
trigger (see on FB: Antoine Laporte's
amazing job on his batsuit!) 
What is the WTP ?
The bridle is guided from the tip of the
wing to the bottom of the container by a
bridle flap (deflector).
A ribbon clip holds the bridle firmly with a
series of 7 pairs of Neodymium
"supermagnets". They exert a force of
about 10-15N (1 to 1.5 kg). The bridle
cannot escape in flight, even in acro flight
(except in rodeo, of course!). It was tested
at 75 m/s windspeed.
In addition, the bridle is released
progressively with a low traction force
(8N). No risk of PC or bridle blocked.
The bridle is release sequentially and
instantly by a collapsed PF at slow flight
velocity.
 3. Why do we need a WTP?
As stated above, the body and the spirit are
freed from the complex gesture typical to the
BOC pulling.
The body keeps its trajectory and its speed
without changing position, symmetry or trim.
The air flow is therefore much more laminar.
The PC will no longer be sucked by depression.
Orientations and twists occur way less often
than with the BOC pulling.
Mind: Transition flight in WS -> flight under
canopy is fluid and the brain can focus on the
opening corrections to come, not on that
bloody BOC handle!
Why ?
Safety
● Tired arms, frozen fingers, new WS,
poor trajectory, low speed, hand in the
fabric, loss of stability, excessive wing
pressure, bad gesture ... there are
many reasons for a no-pull find / low-
pull find. And nobody is safe!
● PC in the depression, strangled in the
bridle, off-heading, twist-lines ... The
WTP lower the risk of these
malfunctions.
● In a worst scenario, the WTP will save
the life of a proxyflyer too close from
the terrain ... (Ludo and Bryan would
most certainly have survived if they
had been equipped)
Why ?

● The air flow spin at the tip of the wing.

The PC tends to move away from the
flight axis and prevent it from sticking
into the leg wing burble.
● WTP opens the wing design
innovations field. Larger, thicker, more
pressurized/airlocked, leading edge
more rigid ...
● Whatever the model of wingsuit the
gesture of opening remains exactly the
same! 
 4. For whom ?
Le The WTP is for all wingsuiters, and especially for the BASE Jump.
● Beginner: to start on a good basis, without stress. Switch from one combo to
another without changing the movement of opening, without leaving unstable by
closing the arms.
● Regular jumpers: those who fill in the BFL pages. Because a lot of bad mistakes
have been made and others are being made, because sometimes we are not fully
concentrated when we pull, because we sometimes have fingers frozen or thick
gloves, because sometimes we are tired, exhausted, because we pull low ... because
shitty jumps happen, and a BOC doesn't help!!!
● Skygods: flying Mach 2 between the branches, that's good ... Commitment, zero
margin, no right to error. Again and again ... But what about pulling when one is on
the ground ... I unintentionally tested for you (without yet being part of your
category).
WTP is now well known in our community. In my opinion misunderstanding, fear of
experimentation, sheep syndrome and sometimes ego retain most of the base
jumpers to adopt it. The same happened to most innovations like the hand deploy,
or to the fix dynafit in the ski world.
 5. Pros and Cons
● Idiot proof opening gesture, requiring ● Extra cost
little strength, coordination or brain
resources
● More complex packing procedure (it
takes me 2 more minutes to pack it)
● The gesture is always the same,
whatever the model of WS
● WS rodeo / XCREW are not
recommended
● No movement of the body: the PC
goes in a stable and laminar airflow
● Complex manufacturing (but if you
aren't a wingsuit manufacturer, it is
● The handle is visible and always in the not your problem...)
hand
● Opening at high speed without loss of
altitude
● Reduces the risk of sail orientation
and PC stucked in the legs
● Will allow to develop bigger and more
rigid WS ...
Note : I personnaly beleive that the WTP is primarely dedicated to
wingsuit BASE jumpers.

It is not absolutely necessary to skydiving...

Considering the aspects of free fall craches during skydiving and
tight exits out of the plane.
However, it could be used from plane for testing, training, on solo
jumps or with a safe friend...
 6. About the manufacturers?
All of them were informed about the system in 2014 . They received technical file in
English and all my availability. As a reminder, the WTP is a totally free concept.
I shared phone calls and/or emails with all of them. Only the VKB (Norway) and
Phoenix Fly followed up, greeted me in their lofts and (PF) built ex-novo 3 V-race
with built-in WTP.
One of the problem is that the manufacturers of WS do not believe in its utility:
"Our wings are designed to catch BOC handle without any worries", "We have an
elongated container making it possible to find the handle without any worries" ...
Or "The WTP is too complex, there will be flaws, we prefer to build simple things"
and also... it is not our priority right now.
The WTP is not in their marketing plan.
Surprisingly, although they all have an expert opinion on the wingtip pouch, none
of them has tested it himself ...
 About the manufacturers?
Moreover, to modify a parachute opening system is to take responsibility:
It may sound cynical, but it is much more serious to loose a customer because of
a poorly designed WTP than because of a poorly designed air inlet or bad quality
zipper...

Several experts have argued that WTP will take away the safety of pulling
higher! And then a system that allows to open almost without loss of altitude
might encourage hardcore dudes to pull even closer to the ground. A new
system will create new problems. But what about the no-pull-find fatalities?
Answer will not come spontaneously from the WS manufacturers.
It will come from the users. If the demand becomes more pressing, they will
have to develop their WTP adaptations.
Therefore, if you believe in the WTP, please contact them! Question them!
Harass them!
 7. Setting the WTP up...
Step by step.
For the DIYers who would feel like customizing their own WTP,
For riggers who would want to help wingsuiters to feel safer
And for manufacturers...
In one word : for real doers :-D

Note: here is my method to set up the WTP on a regular WS. I don't pretend to
hold the perfect system, but to me, the Wioletta 4.x is not a beta version
anymore. It works. Feel free to modify and test it!
 The deflector (1/4)
It starts from the bottom of the wingtip until the corner of the BOC
Hardware:
● Type III nylon tape, 1 ½ "(3.8 cm) wide, about 60 cm long (ref. W9852 in paragear
catalog)
● Wide Ribbon (lightweight Nylon tape used for slider reinforcement), 3 "(7.6mm)
wide, about 130 cm long (ref. W9878)
● Fabric (identical to that of the arm wing). 14 cm wide, 70 cm long
● 14 Neodymium “Supermagnets” (3x4x20mm block, 24N of adhesive force) (ref Q-
20-04-03-N on the website www.supermagnete.be) 
 The deflector (2/4)

Fold the wide ribbon (Nylon lightweight) in 2 and sew the magnet
pockets (9mm wide). The magnet should be able to spin inside the
pocket. Leave the pockets open at the ends to insert the magnets later.
 The deflector (3/4)

● Pin large type III tape on the edge of the wide nylon tape. This first
will serve to enclose the bridle.
● Place the 2 ribbons on the piece of fabric. Insert the magnets. Fold
and sew the edges.
 The deflector (4/4)

● Once the deflector has been completed, it must be sewn by hand

on the arm wing. It may be necessary to undo the arm wing (in the
sleeve) to access the inside (and avoid sewing the inter-cell rib!)
● This work takes more than 2 hours. I advise to do it last because the
magnets stick to the sewing machine! Patience... And good music is
a must.
The pouch - version 4.1
(for the courageous)

● Unstitch the trailing edge of the

arm wing over 15-20 cm, as well as
the gripper. Check that the volume
is sufficient to house the PC.
● Open the gripper, cut 3 chambers
into the foam of the flange and
insert 3 magnets (3 x 4 x 20 mm).
Wrap them with tape.
● Close the gripper. It will be sewn
on the wing later.
The pouch
On V. 4.1, it is imperative to close the
cell to keep the PC in place and to
prevent it from going too far, at the
risk of being stucked inside... Sew a
single piece of fabric, net or spandex.
 The pouch closing flap
● It is lined with loops in ribbon (Type III, ¾ ") alternating with those sewn on
the wing.
● A piece of fabric or ribbon on the center of the flap will drive and hide the
yellow cable and avoid accidentally hooking it.
The pouch
● Sew the flap and the gripper on
the arm wing.
● Adjust the Type III loops and then
sew them facing the flap, so that
they fit perfectly without any risk
of jamming!!!
Be very sure to leave about 1mm
between each loop. The flap
should open with no friction
between the loops.
The pouch - version 4.0
(for the slackers)

● The flap is simply sewn on the

bottom skin of the arm wing and
not in the wing box.
● No risk of blocking the PC inside
the pouch.
● Less esthetic but much simpler to
build... You still have to unstich the
wing's trailing edge to sew the
ribbon with loops (type III)
● Recommended if the volume of
the end cell is to little for the PC .
● In my experience, this system does
not change the performance the
wingsuit (with a V4).
Examples of pouch 4.0
The handle
The handle
● Made of heat-formed hard PVC. Avoid
nylon (less resistant to cold if wet) and
PU (difficult to handcraft).
● It contains 3 magnets in the groove,
adjusted to those of the gripper
(respect polarity). They are glued
(PVC-compatible polymere/neoprene
glue) and covered with ribbon (Type
III, ½”)
● A release “yellow” cable (single or
double) is securely attached.
● It is connected to the sleeve of the WS
via a releasable (spectra) connection
with a push button (release traction
force : 30N, in case of bridle jamming
the handle).
● It may be covered with non-slip
rubber or leather.
 The handle
Other relevant handle possibilities and designs exist. Simon Perriard
(picture below) and Pascal “Dupont” (red "Hatch" pix on previous page)
successfully use a simple loop to wrap the thumb..
The Pilot chute bridle
I make the bridle 60 cm longer than
the original, so that once stretched,
the PC is 2m away from the wingtip
and over the feet. This is obviously
empirical, but it works.
Attention: the PC handle must be
removed! The risk of interference
with the bridle has to be avoided!!!
Then check your kill-line system if
you skydive with it... or you might
loose your bag.
 The bridle and the horseshoe killer
The HSK (horseshoe killer) is a small loop connecting the bridle to the cutaway
cable. It would open the pouch and release the PC in case of unexpected
deployment of the canopy. Pulling force on the HSK to open the pouch < 35N.
 Conclusion
After 4 years of development, hundreds test jumps performed by a bunch
of enthusiast experimented base jumpers, the WTP shows reliability, great
comfortableness and peace of mind. It also offers consistent on-heading
openings.
It is the keystone to the development of a new generation of high perf
winguits
No-pull-find fatalities would have been avoided by the WTP,
Some proxy-flying fatalities would have been avoided by the WTP.

It is time to integrate the WTP in modern BASE jumping.

Thank you for reading. For any suggestions, advise, questions,
requests, contact me on FB https://www.facebook.com/Wingpouch
or e-mail : joel.gerardin@gmail.com
 Credits and congrats
Merci, takk, grazie, gracias, dankeschöen, dank U, Thx to all the
people who helped me the last 4 years of development, who
gave me ideas, motivation, trust, hope, pix, time (and fabric) :

Yves Petit, Jean Pierre Dechêne, Philippe Piqueray, Øyvind

Løkeberg, Robert Pecnic, Hans Holmefjord, Simon Perriard, Nec
suits, Jan Ceulemans, Hans Lange, Hirschi "Watch-thy-bridle",
Jean Baert, Antoine Laporte, Alex MongoBro, Jean Paul
Merland, Pascal "Dupont", Douggs, Alain Donny, Skydive Spa,
Bruno Passe (Paramag), Francis Heilmann, Reiner Erbert,
Chrissy, Nico Coster, my beloved ones, all the jumpers who
tested the WTP, and the hundreds of you who liked my page and
sent me mails!

Love, hugz and chocolate.

Joël
Last edition : June, the 30th 2017