Updated Mirage Packing Tips
These are the Mirage Packing Tips I have given since 2007 during my seminars at the Parachute Industry Association Symposiums (most recently in 2025 in Daytona Beach) as well as during each ChutingStar Senior Rigger Certification School.
I've added a link at the end of this summary of the presentation so the entire text and photo presentation of the seminar can be downloaded for reference. Keep in mind these tips and techniques are only meant to supplement the Mirage owner's manual. I have found these techniques to lead to a cleaner, consistently better-looking Mirage reserve container.
In general, the following are the critical points that lead to a better looking Mirage reserve container:
- Proper closing loop length
- Smooth, well divided PRO-pack
- Freebag centered in container
- Freebag ears pushed toward center of container (under #1 flap)
- Pilot chute remaining centered
- Pilot chute material favoring bottom and sides of container
- Flaps moved into position slowly, evenly, one at a time
- Keep pressure on center of container through entire closing process
Photos and details on how to make that happen are in the document linked below. Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy!
For more individual help on learning to pack a Mirage, or to become a parachute rigger, see our Parachute Rigging Education offerings from ChutingStar at this link.