Strong 303 PC

[NovaTTT 2]

I'm working on a Strong 303 and it came in with the PC 'tilted' up on the right side. Big time tilted up - about 3" of open space between the cap and the container that extends between the closing loops.

When I inspected it I found the closing loop was tacked at ~160°. Almost 45° up from where it should have been. I tacked it back at 180° but when I closed the rig, the PC is still showing a large gap on the right side, although it is now down to about 2".

So what I'm saying, I guess, is be careful with the Strong PC when tacking down the closing loops. It's not very hard to get them directly across from each other. You'll save the client a needless hassle.

O - please don't say "Contact the last rigger". I would if he were a normal person, but doing that wouldn't result in anything positive. I'm just venting and giving a small PSA.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[Unstable 9]

I've seen that on a Strong 303 and 304 - I do a few of those for some aerobatic pilots in the area. I've seen this twice - both caused by a poorly made closing loop. Each time the stitching wasn't locked and as it loosened, it allowed the PC to weasel out. I just make it a point to check the stitching and balance of each hat..

=========Shaun ==========

[jenkincb00 0]

you can't get mad at the last rigger...you have to get mad at the rigger before that rigger...you and I both know that

[NovaTTT 2]

That's the story and he's sticking to it.

This should never have left that loft. That's all I'm sayin'.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[Unstable 9]

Can I play devils advocate for a sec though?

When I have seen a poorly assembled hat on the 303 and 304, it usually looked just fine clear until a few months into the repack cycle. Since I didn't see the rig right as it came out of the loft, it's entirely possible it looked fine until then... Once that hat begins to weasel out from under it's loop, it does so rather quickly.

=========Shaun ==========

[NovaTTT 2]

Playing Devil's Ad is fine - no worries.

Attached is a drawing of the cap. The green arrow is where the closing loop was tacked when it came into my loft. The red arrow is where it should have been and to where I moved it. The closing loop was WAY out of place. The purple line shows how the cap was separated into two disproportionate areas.

That's not as you said, poorly assembled, which I take to mean weak tacking that loosens. That's poor rigging and the rig is not airworthy.

Shit happens, etc., but a five minute fix or proper assembly by a previous rigger (*the* previous rigger?) could have prevented this.

Remember Sgt. Esterhaus.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[riggerpaul 1]

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Can I play devils advocate for a sec though?

When I have seen a poorly assembled hat on the 303 and 304, it usually looked just fine clear until a few months into the repack cycle. Since I didn't see the rig right as it came out of the loft, it's entirely possible it looked fine until then... Once that hat begins to weasel out from under it's loop, it does so rather quickly.

But doesn't this still mean that the rigger fell short of completely addressing his responsibilities?

Didn't he accept "looks good enough" instead of being sure that it was done correctly?

Aren't we supposed to be doing better than that?

[NovaTTT 2]

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Didn't he accept "looks good enough" instead of being sure that it was done correctly?

Should a rigger re-tack the closing loop tape ends on each repack? How much play is too much?

If the loop is in good condition and the correct length, a little wiggle is OK with me; any 'real' movement is not OK. Other riggers may judge differently.

We can all agree, however, the exposed PC is subject to a lot of punishment from the pilot and therefore should be scrutinized at each repack.

On this particular rig, I would have re-tacked the top closing loop anyway, but it was so far off center that the play in the mounting tape was irrelevent.

That's my gripe, I suppose. By turning in the seat, sliding around, whatever, the pilot is going to put pressures on the closing loops. So I'm expecting to find a small repair needed. But tacking the mounting tape so far from where it should be and causing the PC to become damaged? That's poor rigging and it's here that the "looks good enough" method of rigging might be seen - except I find it hard to believe in this case that it did look good enough.

I think it was "well, it's closed so I'm done" rigging.

That's bullshit rigging in my book.

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[Unstable 9]

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But doesn't this still mean that the rigger fell short of completely addressing his responsibilities?

Didn't he accept "looks good enough" instead of being sure that it was done correctly?

Aren't we supposed to be doing better than that?

I agree 100%! It would have taken the previous rigger 10 seconds to figure out that his PC was unbalanced - all he/she had to do was try to compress it by holding onto the closing loops along and watch it squirrel out from under him...

=========Shaun ==========

[fcajump 164]

Seen it before, and we'll both see it again... Its the details that make neat vs sloppy.

The other thing I have learned over the years on (all rigs, but especially) Strongs... Change the loop based on length and pin tension not just condition.

I've gone to changing the Strong loops if the pull force is too low, as a soft loop will cause the PC to sit up and cocked. On any rig, too loose is bad. On a Pop-Top, it can be VERY bad.

95% of the SE rigs that come in with the PC not sitting right have old, stretched out loops (and yes, the new SE loops stretch out too, not just the old Type III based loops).

Softies and Nationals also have issues with the spring compression if the loops are too long.

These are the details that make a difference.

JW

Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

[Unstable 9]

Okay - *puts on his devils advocate hat*

Wouldn't the afore mentioned problem be largely remedied by the use of a quickloop type closing loop? (I knows that's a No-no on SE rigs...)

=========Shaun ==========

[fcajump 164]

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Okay - *puts on his devils advocate hat*

Wouldn't the afore mentioned problem be largely remedied by the use of a quickloop type closing loop? (I knows that's a No-no on SE rigs...)

IF I was the designer of the rig, I would prefer a though loop (ala National/Softie) not a tacked loop. It would make the closing a little harder, but I'm in favor of them on two pin systems...

JW

Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...