Reusable Fire-resistant Chute Protectors are used in place of paper recovery wadding to protect the parachute from being melted or scorched by the heat of the ejection charge.

Unlike wadding, a cloth parachute protector (which can also called a "blast protector" or "heat shield") can be reused. Most people find that they are a permanent replacement for wadding!

Chute protectors are easy to use. There is a button-hole slot on one corner of the square cloth. Simply thread your shock cord through this slot. Then push the chute protector down into the body tube as far as it will go. Finally insert the parachute and nose cone, and you're ready to launch.

When the ejection charge fires, it pushes the the chute protector and the parachute out of the rocket. The chute protector will slide along the shock cord, so make sure it it goes up and down freely before inserting it into the tube.

Because the chute protector is attached to the shock cord, it also stays attached to the rocket. You'll NEVER forget to put wadding into the rocket again!

After the flight, it may be a little sooty and have one or two small pin holes from the ejection charge, but it is completely reusable. If it gets too dingy or dirty looking, just rinse it off in water and allow it to dry!

It is possible to use the same chute protector in several different rockets, but for added convenience, you may desire to get each rocket its own chute protector. Kinda makes sense, doesn't it?

We sell two different types of resuable parachute protectors - Sunward ones are Nomex® brand cloth and the Madcow ones are a fire resistant cloth of their own formula.  Nomex® cloth is a little more resistant to sparks and charring than is the Madcow formula.

Nomex: The beauty of Nomex is that it has a high heat resistance and doesn't burn easily. It is one of the main components in a fireman's jacket. The construction of the chute protectors are entirely of Nomex, including the surging thread around the perimeter to prevent the fabric from fraying.

Madcow Formula: These chute protectors are from Madcow rocketry, which is known for making quality items.  Made from 7 oz. heavy-duty, high-visibility orange colored cloth, this makes your rocket easier to spot as it is laying on the ground after its flight. The construction of the chute protectors are entirely of fire resistant material, including the surging thread around the perimeter to prevent the fabric from fraying.

What Size Should I Order?

3" (7.6 cm) square size = Great for small rockets up to a diameter of 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). For example, this size will fit fine in a BT-50 to a BT-55 size tube.

6" (15.2 cm) square size = Rockets with a diameter greater than 1.5 inches (38.1 mm), but less than 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. For example, this size will fit fine in a BT-60 size tube.

9" (22.8 cm) square size = Rockets with a diameter greater than 2 inches (50 mm), but less than 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter. For example, this size will fit fine in a BT-70 and BT-80 size tube.

12" (30.5 cm) square size = Rockets with a diameter greater than 3 inches (76 mm), but less than 4 inches (101 mm) in diameter.

18" (45.7 cm) square size = Rockets with a diameter greater than 4 inches (101 mm), but less than 6.5 inches (159 mm) in diameter.

24" (45.7 cm) square size = Rockets with a diameter greater than 6.5 inches (101 mm), but less than 8.0 inches (203 mm) in diameter.