Auryn 0 #1 October 1, 2003 I have a pretty simple question about this.. I now have a job packing for a DZ, and a big part of it is tandems. They want me to pro pack, which I am perfectly happy doing. I did 5 pack jobs this weekend, which were all good, I even made it a point to find the instructors and see how the openings were.. they were all happy. But, upon noticing the difference between tandems and sport rigs, I now have a question.. are there any tricks for using the weight and size of the tandem canopy to keep control of the lines and fabric, creating a tight slow opening pack job ? I woud like think that with that much weight you can use it against itself, and really slow the opening down, making the opening shock nice and comfy for that passenger paying 150 dollars for a ride on my pack job. so, what do the experienced packers have to say about this ? Blue Ones ! Bryan - D lic. is in the mail baby !!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wags 0 #2 October 1, 2003 I jump Strong Set 400's, and they open sloooow. I just had my slowest opening yet last Sunday, it took 2,000 ft. I myself don't want my openings any slower. Before you try to slow the openings, you should check if the Tandem Masters want the openings slower. Blue Skies, Wags Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pablito 0 #3 October 1, 2003 My experience with Sigmas is, Keep a consistant pack job which opens smooth then according to the weight it will open withing a good acceptable range of speed. I've been packing for about 2 and a Half years. I never touch the nose (no stuffing it in the centre of the pack job) and really tight wrap on the tail. make sure the slider is against the slider stopers in the canopy and when you are doing your s folds, make sure that the slider is taught against them. Have good line bites. and good line tension. and make sure the lines are in the middle. Consistancy is the key. Then you will find out little things that will help you. It is really hard to explain them through this forum because I do not know how you do your pack job. Keep asking the instructors and ask more experience packer that you know the instructors like their openings so you can improve your packjobs. I hope this help. Cielos Azules Pablito "If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first" Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #4 October 1, 2003 To deal with the weight issue, we installed hooks hanging off the ceiling to act as another hand (or shoulder) to support the weight while the packers pack. You need to put a good packing weight in the main tray to keep the rig from sliding forward. They used the hooks for a while, then pretty much ended up going back to just hanging them over their shoulders. It was just smoother for them this way, I think. One good trick out guys use is once you get the canopy on the ground, place a big square of carpet (say, 6 foot by 8 foot - soft side down) on top of the bundle to help bleed the air out. Our packers would pack two rigs at a time this way. Flake one out, get it on the ground, cover it with the carpet. Flake the other out while the first is "draining". Go back and finish the first, then finish the second after it's been "drained". Seems to work well! "...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..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 October 1, 2003 Something else to add to Pablito's post. We both use the PD flip method to put the lines back in the middle of the packjob after setting the packjob on the ground. *that* however, is really hard to explain via the internet.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #6 October 1, 2003 QuoteSomething else to add to Pablito's post. We both use the PD flip method to put the lines back in the middle of the packjob after setting the packjob on the ground. *that* however, is really hard to explain via the internet. is there anywhere I can look this tecnique up ? this is something I havent heard about before, and it sounds like a good idea. Blue Ones ! Bryan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #7 October 2, 2003 PD might have something about it...but I'm not sure. I was taught by the tandem owner when I first started packing for him, before I had a rating (yeah, it was legal, he was my supervising rigger too). Basically, after you pro-pack and you lay the canopy on the ground, you feel for the lines on both sides of the canopy, gather then in your hands (through the cacooned canopy), then "flip" (make a circular motion) back to the middle of the canopy. Then you carefully pull the tail of the canopy (that is now in the middle of the canopy) out of the middle and straighten the cacoon. Finish normally from there (getting the air out, tightening the cacoon, putting in the bag, etc). That is the super super super basic version of it.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auryn 0 #8 October 2, 2003 this sounds a lot like what I used to when I flat packed.... I would finish the folds, and then group by group straighten the lines after all the folds were done.. then wrap the tail under the pack job and proceed as normal.. there is no reason I could not do this on a pro pack. awesome. thanks for the advice. You learn something new in this sport every day. Blue Ones ! Bryan PS dont worry, will confirm this with a rigger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #9 October 2, 2003 Two points: short packers seem to benefit more from hooks hanging from the ceiling. Secondly, try using a quick ejector snap to anchor the harness. Just snap the QE snap onto the drogue riser at the start of your pack job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #10 October 2, 2003 QuoteSecondly, try using a quick ejector snap to anchor the harness. Just snap the QE snap onto the drogue riser at the start of your pack job. Ah, yes, but if you've joined to 21st century and are jumping Sigmas, there is no drogue riser to clip into. "...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..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
