Help with First Rig

[womball 0]

Hi All,

I've just passed my AFF a few weeks ago and am researching what I need before I order my first rig. I've got the cash to buy new gear (got a timely redundancy from work!!), but am looking for some advice on the best choice of container, main, reserve AAD for my size and weight.

I'm looking to keep the gear I buy for a quite a while and want something that is relatively fun to fly and don't get "boring" quickly, but without comprising on safety at my expericance level (15 jumps on student gear - PA270 main). I'm interested in free fly/CRW a bit later down the track as well as getting started with camera work once I get my jump numbers up.

I'm around 92Kgs (202 Pounds) and about 6'1" tall (183cms).

I've been looking at the TalonFS container, looks like a need piece of kit and is manufactured locally here in Australia by Parachutes Australia. I've heard that with my weight that maybe the Talon3 would be the container I'd need due to the pack volume of the main/reserve.

I've also been looking at the Safire2 main, the 169 would give me a wing loading of about 1.3 (based on an exit weight of 220 pounds) which I think maybe a bit advanced for me at the moment, the 189 a loading of 1.1 which might be better???

Im just looking for a bit of guidance/advance, any help is welcome, pls!!

Thanks!

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

I'm around 92Kgs (202 Pounds) and about 6'1" tall (183cms).

That's irrelevant.

There is no strong connection between weight, height and how a gear fits you.

Try as many gears on the ground and suspended from the 3 rings. What you need to know is the length of the main lift web that fits you. So MLW size is depending on your torso. I use MLW 17" if I remember right.

You can also check leg ans chest strap length and leg strap padding length. Those add some comfort.

[womball 0]

Thanks phoenixlpr,

Unfortunately one of the problems I have is that my home DZ doesn't have any other rigs (other than the student rigs) to try for size etc. I'm more concerned with getting the main size and wing loading right at the moment, once I get that it will tell me if the TalonFS is a possible candidate for my container. As I will get the container custom built, the fit sould be OK. I'd like to go to the factory and check things out for myself, but it's about 1000kms away :-(

[erdnarob 1]

That's right, you have to try the rig, tight it up and stand up. The harness shouldn't be pushing at your shoulders. As somebody mentioned it, the length of the main lift web (MLW) is important to be confortable. I am 6 feet tall and my main lift web (torso) is a 22 inches. This is measured from the hole between the 2 collar bones at the base of the neck and the top of the hip bone and should be written on the harness tag. I sold my former rig (a Vector III) with similar dimensions to a guy being 6'1" tall and it fits him perfectly. What is important too is your chest size, for the chest strap and your leg pad size measured around your tight at your hip bone. Anyway, just trying a rig in presence of a rigger to advice you should be OK

Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all.

[drdive 0]

Why not consider a container that will accommodate up to a 210, but also be ok with a 190. You could jump the 210 at 1:1 loading for a hundred jumps or so before getting down to a 190 at 1.16:1 loading. Just my opinion - I see so many students then new jumpers at 1.2 wing loading right after their A. Look up Billvon's downsizing list on the forum, and think about it before getting in too much of a hurry to downsize. Stay away from the incidenst forum. Just my 2Cents.

Doc

"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub"

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