GLIDER & EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Founded in 1968 as Thomas Sports Equipment, our organization has played a significant role in the design and innovation of skydiving equipment. We were instrumental in developing the bag deployment system, which remains the standard method of deployment today.
In the mid-1980s, T.S.E. introduced the Teardrop harness and container system, featuring our renowned one-pin pop-top pilot chute. This groundbreaking design was the first of its kind and quickly became one of the most popular and technically advanced rigs in the world at that time.
In May 2003, Chris Thomas was appointed Managing Director of Thomas Sports Equipment. With extensive experience in skydiving, including representing Great Britain in multiple World Championship events and completing over 10,000 jumps, Chris brought valuable expertise to the company. Under his leadership, new systems like the Panthera, Zerox, and Pop-Top Emergency systems were developed, forming the foundation of our current offerings.
2011 saw the rebranding of Thomas Sports Equipment to Thomas Defence Systems. This was to focus more on providing services to armed forces worldwide. Despite this shift, we continue to supply parachute systems for the sport and film sectors, offering custom design and consultancy, provide training programmes, and serve as a major supplier to one of Europe's largest skydiving brands. Our systems have even appeared in films like Mission Impossible, The Dark Knight Rises, and James Bond.
With over 55 years of experience in the skydiving industry and more than 16,000 parachute systems supplied, Thomas Defence Systems prides itself on being a customer-centric manufacturer. Our commitment to quality extends beyond our products to our customer service, supported by staff with qualifications such as FAA Master Parachute Rigger and BPA Advanced Parachute Rigger Examiner. Our experienced team, with a combined total of 147 years of expertise, oversees all aspects of production, maintenance, and repair of your parachute system.
Thomas Defence Systems consistently upholds high manufacturing standards, ensuring that every order meets our certified levels of quality. In addition to rigorous material selection, manufacturing processes, and inspections, we maintain ISO 9001-2015 certification, validated by regular internal and third-party audits. We are also compliant with the Civil Aviation Authorities Technical Standard Order (TSO) C23(d).
Our Pop-Top Emergency rig was designed with your needs and your aircraft in mind, prioritizing comfort and reliability while offering a high specification level. The externally mounted pilot chute allows the parachute to deploy as quickly as possible, without any flaps to create resistance. Testing has shown that our system deploys 80 feet faster than any other container on the market at the time of its release. For more technical details about our system, please refer to the section below or contact us directly.
STANDARD FEATURES
We manufacture all our systems in the UK to the highest specifications. With thousands of satisfied customers worldwide, our equipment is designed to deliver exceptional reliability, quality, and comfort for your flight.
BELOW PLEASE SEE THE STANDARD FEATURES
Our L shaped leg pads are made with a 7mm cushioning and are finished in 1000 denier Cordura matching the colour of the container.
A breathable and cushioned Aerospacer is used to ensure that the Pilot gains as much comfort as possible while the airflow helps reduce the temperature between the container and pilots back during the flight.
A spring-loaded V-Ring provides adjustment to the Leg Strap webbing. This is so that the Leg Straps can be altered to fit comfortably around the pilots leg.
A 30-inch chest strap that is fitted with a natural hard coated Cobra Buckle. Produced in Type 7 Nylon webbing the strap features an elastic keeper for holding in place the excess chest strap. The strap can be reduced/increased to fit your personal requirements.
The Thomas Sports Equipment logo, a timeless symbol of quality and reliability is provided as standard upon all of our emergency equipment. The design is stitched onto the left shoulder strap (as worn). Our monograms are made from quality threads, ensuring a long lasting and high quality finish.
The externally mounted pilot chute ensures that the parachute hits the air as fast as possible, with no flaps to push out of the way. It has been proven that the parachute will deploy 80 feet quicker than any other type of container. A monogram can be stitched onto this to provide a unique and stylish finish to the container. Please see the below for more details.
A robust Stainless-Steel D handle allows for a quick release of the spring-loaded pilot chute.
Thread through CWH buckle with a spring is fitted to the main lift web and provides adjustment to the leg straps for increased comfort and ease of fitting.
CANOPY SIZING
Thomas Defence Systems provides two canopy sizes to suit different needs. Our 26-foot canopy is designed for pilots up to 16 stone, while the 28-foot canopy is ideal for those weighing more. For more technical details, please refer to the link at the bottom of this page. The 26-foot canopy is our most popular choice among individual pilots, while the 28-foot canopy is favored by our associated clubs. Whatever your requirements, Thomas Defence Systems LTD has the perfect solution for you.
COLOUR OPTIONS
Our containers are crafted from 1000 Denier Cordura, a material renowned for its strength, durability, and resistance to abrasion and tears. We offer a selection of standard colours, including royal blue, red, black, and navy blue, with all containers finished with black binding tape, as shown in the examples below.
If you need a unique colour, we can accommodate bespoke orders, depending on material availability and suitability. Please note that custom orders may incur additional charges. For more details on this service, please contact a member of our team.
OLIVE
MONOGRAMS
We recognize that everyone has their own unique style. That’s why we offer the option to personalize your new equipment with a custom monogram. A basic text monogram can be stitched onto the Pop-top cap, carry bag, or right shoulder strap (as worn), all included in the standard price.
For a more distinctive touch, we also provide the option to create more intricate designs to make your equipment truly stand out. You can select the design or text, choose the placement, and pick the stitching colour—we’ll handle the rest. A personalized monogram lets you make your equipment uniquely yours. Additional charges apply; please feel free to send us your design, and we’ll be happy to provide a quote.
DETATCHABLE SHEEP SKIN BACK PAD
Long flights can sometimes be uncomfortable, which is why we developed the sheepskin back pad—designed to enhance the comfort of your container while you fly. Our removable sheepskin back pad offers warmth during cooler months and can be easily removed during warmer periods. The pad's design allows for easy removal, and it can be conveniently stowed in your carry bag while you're in the air.
We are dedicated to delivering the best customer service and are always here to address any questions or concerns. We encourage you to explore our website and reach out to us with any questions.
CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
"The order process was very easy after speaking to a member of staff on the phone.
After Covid there was a delay to my order but I was kept fully informed by the team.
I chose to pick up my parachute from the factory where I was greeted by a member of staff who
fitted my new parachute and walked through the operation and maintenance of it.
I would have no hesitation in recommending TDS to anyone the friendliness and quality of the
product stood out with the added bonus of been a local Yorkshire firm."
