Viper rig?

[billvon 3,107]

Anyone know what the status of the Viper is? (Reflex clone made by Trident) Are they selling any yet?

[quade 4]

http://tridenthc.com/ still says "coming soon" and the order form doesn't seem to work yet.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[rigging65 0]

Not to get too picky here, but the Viper is most definitely not a Reflex clone.

It's based on the same TSO, but is totally redesigned and tested. In fact, the only thing aesthetically that is the same about the rigs is the shape of the pindoor on the XP model and the wrap-around lower corners on the main tray. We've taken all the best options we've found on rigs worldwide and incorporated them into this series of rigs...so you'll definitely recognize features from other rigs on the Viper!

The Viper series of rigs is still in sizing, and will be available when we're finished sizing. You wouldn't want us to put out something we're not perfectly happy with, now would you?

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[KellyF 16]

Quote

the Viper is most definitely not a Reflex clone.

Bahh! It has a loop and a pin holding the containers closed, has ripcord and a cutaway system, pilot chutes, and uses nylon webbing for the harness. It must be a clone of a..........

[rigging65 0]

You're not helping here....

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[skymedic 0]

KellyF,

You're killing me here....

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[beavdog 0]

but you have to admit....it was definately funny

Here's to the Breezes that blows through the Trezzez.....

[rigging65 0]

Kelly and I are good friends, he called me and we laughed about....

...I'm sure he'll find the roadkill surprise I'm sending him just as funny....

...and then again, maybe he won't...

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[KellyF 16]

Wait until you open the package with Luke's jumpsuit in it

[diablopilot 2]

Now that's not nice. Tell Luke he should wash his suits first. It's not like Ryan's got to open the package, it's the poor girls in production!

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[Hooknswoop 19]

And all this has what to do with the Viper rig? PM thi stuff.

Derek

[Clownburner 0]

Ok, help me out here. How can you market a totally redesigned container under the TSO for a rig built by a different manufacturer? I understand many manufacturers do this, but I don't understand how it's legal....

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[rigging65 0]

Well, first off, it's important to understand what on a rig is actually "TSO'd" (for simplicity, we'll leave alone the fact that TSO is about process, not product). The Harness and Reserve deployment systems are the only parts that the FAA really cares about. As the Containers go, they could care less (assuming any changes don't effect the Harness or Reserve Deployment systems).

Now, if you change the Containers, you're basically making aesthetic changes to the rig (with some exceptions). Functionally, everything stays the same, and the FAA is happy.

Additionally, if you change certified sections of the rig (Harness and Reserve Deployment Systems) but you change them in such a way that they are the same as some other system that holds a current TSO, you can request that the changes be made to your TSO based on "current, certified, industry accepted technology/design". The FAA then looks at it and decides if you need to do all your test over again, or if what you're doing is essentially the same as what someone else has already done and tested.

There are a bunch of hoops to jump through, but those are the basics. If you're not changing the Harness or Reserve Deployment System, you're generally cool. If you're changing either of those systems, but you're using a previously tested and accepted design, you're also probably cool....of course it all depends on who you're working with at the FAA and if they've had their coffee yet that day.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[dgskydive 0]

Isn't a Viper something that will jump up and bite you and maybe even put ya to sleep for ever?

Dom

[JohanW 0]

Isn't a Stiletto a blade that will slice through the air and make for nasty wounds on impact?

(Oh wait, it is.)

We now return you to your regularly topical discussion. Sorry folks, couldn't resist.

Johan.
I am. I think.

[dgskydive 0]

LOL!

Dom

[billvon 3,107]

>. We've taken all the best options we've found on rigs worldwide and
> incorporated them into this series of rigs...so you'll definitely
> recognize features from other rigs on the Viper!

That's cool, but you do realize that's exactly what Mick claimed to have done with the Reflex, right? That was sort of their tagline.

I'm sorry to hear that the Reflex is no more. I really liked mine.

[billvon 3,107]

>The Harness and Reserve deployment systems are the only parts that the FAA really cares about.

I don't think they even care about that. You can add rings to the harness, change the harness geometry, the reserve container, the reserve PC, heck, you could even go from two reserve pins to one and they don't much care.

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

I don't think they even care about that. You can add rings to the harness, change the harness geometry, the reserve container, the reserve PC, heck, you could even go from two reserve pins to one and they don't much care.

True, a manufacturer canmake changes (i.e. Wonderhog to Vector) but they must be documented, and filed with the FAA on a eriodic basis. For example if I remeber correctly Mick designed the Reflex with a ringed harness only, and then had to re-submit TSO paperwork to build non ringed Reflexs. This allows the FAA to CYA.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[riggermick 7]

. For example if I remeber correctly Mick designed the Reflex with a ringed harness only, and then had to re-submit TSO paperwork to build non ringed Reflexs. This allows the FAA to CYA.

[rigging65 0]

Actually, I was unaware that the Reflex used that as a sales point. Of course, to be honest, it's not like anyone out there is making anything totally new. It's revisions and additions and refinements...some more than others.

I think you'll find that the Viper embodies the best of what's available (plus some of it's own technology) in a way that really hasn't been done before.

Alot of Mfgs. try to tweek their original design to make it more like other rigs. We opted to start fresh and use some design features almost in their native forms to make the Viper. The result is smooth lines and well fit options...as opposed to a bunch of options that don't fit well with each other (as you might find with a rig that was once original but has been "tweeked" with options).

Of course, it's all just rhetoric until you can put your hands on it.

"...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.
For there you have been, and there you long to return..."

[riggermick 7]

Quote

>. We've taken all the best options we've found on rigs worldwide and
> incorporated them into this series of rigs...so you'll definitely
> recognize features from other rigs on the Viper!

That's cool, but you do realize that's exactly what Mick claimed to have done with the Reflex, right? That was sort of their tagline.

I'm sorry to hear that the Reflex is no more. I really liked mine.

Well, I tried to incorporate all the good bits, I think I succeeded. The Viper is a great concept, I worked on the early prototype as I was setting up the Trident shop for Ryan and Ray. BTW the original name for the Reflex back in 1995........... the Viper, ironic huh?. Bill, did you get the private message I sent you on this e mail system?
Mick.

[diablopilot 2]

I stand corrected. Thanks Mick!

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.