Line twists after opening: why they are common and usually harmless, how to tell them from real problems, and what you practise at school before you jump.
The honest answer up front: line twists are a common and usually easily fixed problem: the canopy is open and inflated, but the lines or risers are twisted around each other once or several times [1]. The USPA explicitly calls them "usually easily remedied" [1].
Even so, this skill is safety-critical. A canopy with twists flies worse, often turns unintentionally and cannot be steered cleanly. That is exactly why the order is fixed: twists are fixed first, before you do the control check [1]. And that is exactly why there is an altitude limit for the decision. For students the USPA names 2,500 ft (about 760 m) [1][2].
This guide shows you how to classify line twists and what you practise at school. It is not a self-teaching manual, because you practise the reaction in the harness trainer, not in your living room.
You counted, looked up and see: the canopy is there, but the lines do not run in four neat groups to the risers, they are twisted, and the canopy may be turning [1]. Milestone: you can tell a twist from a canopy with another problem (for example slider up or closed end cells).
The USPA writes: line twists must be fixed first [1]. The basic principle: spread the risers and kick, and release the brakes only after the twist is cleared [1]. In the category D canopy drill you find the same task with the rear risers and brakes stowed [3]. Your school shows you the exact technique on the hanging trainer.
Except for line twists, most minor problems can be solved with the control check [1]. If the problem stays or gets worse, you start your emergency procedure by 2,500 ft [1]. When in doubt you act, because the USPA advises against landing a compromised parachute [1].
If the canopy is fine again, you carry on as usual: altitude, position, landing area, holding area [1].
This explains and motivates, it does not replace supervised training. Emergency procedures are practised at school and not learned from a text.
Rehearse the sequence on the hanging trainer once with your eyes closed (practical experience, no source). Whoever has the movement in their body does not have to search for it in the air.
Line twists are a common problem with an open canopy in which the lines or risers have one or more complete twists [1]. The USPA calls them usually easy to fix but requires that they are cleared before anything else [1].
The USPA's basic principle: spread the risers and kick, release the brakes only after the twist is cleared [1]. What that looks like on your canopy type you learn on your school's hanging trainer, not from a text.
The USPA names 2,500 ft as the decision altitude for students [1][2]. If the problem remains unsolved or gets worse by then, you start your emergency procedure [1].
Mostly not, but they limit steerability. Close to the ground they may not be fixable in time [4]. That is why the rule is: decide high, and when in doubt, emergency procedure [1].
The USPA lists line twists, closed end cells, a slider that stays up and an unintended turn among the problems that are usually minor [1]. Except for line twists, the control check often solves the rest [1]. If something persists or gets worse, you start the emergency procedure by 2,500 ft, and when in doubt immediately [1]. You practise the classification in the harness trainer.
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