floormonkey

You should also watch your brake lines. We had a rash of tandem mals due to our packers not untwisting the brake lines. most were slider up, all were tension knots above the slider. When I made sure they were untwisting the brake lines regularly, the mals pretty much stopped.

Looking at most bags designed and sold by skydiving companies, I have found that most lack any kind of ergonomic comforts. Sure you can fit a bunch of stuff in there, but they suck to actually try to carry. The Square One bags seem to be especially guilty. Air Force store sells a great bag that will hold a rig (unpacked), couple of suits, and has a zip off day bag for about $70. It's even comfortable when you are wearing it. I personally use a rolling duffle.

I think it's open, we just can't make it out because of the angle and color. If there was no flap, we would be able to see the reserve cable a little further (towards the top) of his rig. It disappears too soon for there not to be a flap. I think the flap is just at that "perfect" angle to the camera and is almost invisible to us. I'm sure a computer geek could play with the pic (darkness/light) and we could see the flap.

Sorry it wasn't clear. It seems the canopy technology has advanced as well as the quality of pilots. It seems as if it would be more probable now(of a fully inflated main causing a cypres fire) then it was at the time the article was written. Of course, I can only speak from secondhand knowledge since I have not been in the sport that long.

a cut and paste from SSK's website http://www.pia.com/SSK/cypres/cyp17.htm The following is from a September 1993 response to a letter in Parachutist Magazine. Additional information concerning CRW and CYPRES is also provided to help CYPRES Owners and Riggers understand more about some of the specifics involved, and is based on typical questions that have been received by us. As far as the concerns raised in the May 1993 issue of Parachutist about Canopy Relative Work and AAD compatibility, realize that most of the prior and existing AAD technology has been around for years before CRW became mainstream. The CYPRES AAD addresses this aspect of our sport, and is compatible with CRW. Specifically, in the case of the Expert CYPRES, it would activate under canopy when the vertical velocity (regardless of the horizontal component) equals or exceeds 35 meters / second (115 feet / sec., 78 MPH) at about 1000 feet AGL. (The activation altitude while in freefall is 750 feet.) However, velocities of this magnitude are virtually impossible to obtain under any sort of partially deployed, open, or even malfunctioned main canopy. Airtec chose this particular activation velocity in part so that the Expert CYPRES would activate at typical pilotchute-in-tow speeds. However, if somehow one found himself in such a canopy wrap, traveling at such a velocity through 1000 feet AGL (8.7 seconds or less from impact), an AAD could possibly help. In addition: The TANDEM CYPRES has the same identical activation velocity with a higher activation altitude. (No, this does not mean that it is prudent to do Tandem down planes!) The STUDENT CYPRES is designed to activate in a partial malfunction situation. If a student jumper with a malfunctioned main passes through about 1000 feet AGL at 13 meters / second (43 feet / sec., 29 MPH) it will activate. (If the student is near terminal velocity, it will wait until about 750 feet.) Therefore, when doing CRW with a Student CYPRES, breakoff should always be completed above 1500 ft. There is at least one CYPRES / CRW save to date: July 1994, Raeford, North Carolina - Expert CYPRES: Two members of an experienced CRW team were involved in a CRW wrap at about 6000 ft. The entangled jumper cut away from his main and then observed the other jumper cutting suspension lines to free him. When he fell away, convinced that he now had neither a main nor reserve, he tracked towards a small lake. CYPRES then activated his previously unopened reserve. One of the original important design criteria of the Expert CYPRES was to be compatible with all forms of Skydiving. This includes Freefall Relative Work, Style, Accuracy, Free Style, Demos, Sky Surfing, and Canopy Relative Work. SSK Industries is the U.S. CYPRES Service Representative. *** of course, canopies have come a long way since '93. It is probably more probable now then when this was written, but not on anything in a student rig.

There isn't a canopy built that can cause a Cypres to fire that should be in student gear, whether it is used as rental gear or not. I may be wrong, but I believe it is not possible to cause a cypres fire under a fully inflated main. That's why the students fire at a higher rate of speed- in case the canopy is not fully inflated and the student hasn't reacted yet.

Does the same proccess apply for parapak? (esp. scotchguarding...)

Texas rocks, Ft. Worth sucks. Metroplex is muggy and has lots of pollution. Now if you could get down to the Austin area...

9 piercings, two tattoo's

I pack for two military bases from time to time, they use squares and rounds. The mains are either MC4's- grey 380ft2 or startac 245's. all for tactical or pararescue. the MC4's are used as tandems(for dropping someone such as a technoweenie) or for delivering up to 300 lbs of gear and such. They all still jump rounds, though, for the paratroopers.

Well, I qualify so I should join. I live in a RV on the dropzone, occasionally show up for class, pack to live and jump. Haven't quite stooped to cheap beer, though. I just gave up food instead.

" Hey now! I'm from East Texas and proudly call it home. What's wrong with East Texas? We're just a little behind...

Friend of mine (actually the new packer I just finished training) rear-ended my car while headed to a non-DZ job. Used the insurance money to buy first rig and canopy. Moved out of my house into a RV so I could jump more. Now I live the simple life, but I live the dream.

Those pesky rats...got mine! GR60! somehow I got ripped off on the numbering though...a chick that went after me got a # before me...what's that shit, 78rats? Roger wants a number...

Actually, these were MC4's. 380+ ft2. Lotsofun. The military doesn't have anyone on staff that can pack them...if I had a Reflex, I'd be scared too...

hey jessica. been lurking for awhile. Missed you this week-we had some easy rigs to pack... see you this weekend.

The Purple-tail otter is staying, for now. The King Air was supposed to be in next week, but the engine won't be ready until then. So it looks like 3 weeks for the new plane. It's got a good paint job-sorry Chris-so no purple. Where were y'all for the Halloween Party? You missed a good time. Pics are on the website under media. www.skydivesanmarcos.com I'll be there this weekend-of course. Look me up when you get there, Pop, and if I can break off work I'll jump with you. Or I'll introduce you to some folks. Just look in the back room for Packer Jeff. Come early or on Fri. We are also jumping on Thursday....