floormonkey

"should" is the key word. If all riggers "did", I never would have made the comment. I fail to see how this would prevent a floating handle. Will the spectra seperate the velcro and reinsert the handle? While the handle may stay closer to the pocket, it will still be floating, with the same chance of slipping behind the harness or otherwise flopping around. If you LOOK at your handles, the handle will have only moved a few inches and should be easy to find. Hell, if you protect your handles and are aware of what is going on, you probably won't have this problem anyway. My concern is more about wear on the spectra line, either from a burr in the housing (that may have happened during or after assembly) or because of sand/dirt/etc. causing abnormal wear patterns. There is also the small amount of line that will be constantly subjected to UV damage. How will we be able to inspect and judge this wear without doing a destructive test? So, how many deaths/injuries would have been prevented by using this type of handle instead of the normal metal ripcord?

Just to clarify...every 180 days in the US, a rigger SHOULD look at it. Not all rigs are in the US, not all countries have the same repack cycle, and not all rigger's inspections are equal. Who will educate ALL the riggers in the field as to what to look for?

Apples to Oranges, or at least more Apples. SSM's price is for 14 jumps, Temple for 7. Size/cost has little to do with it. Call or visit each and see how extensive/intensive the course is, and what each includes. Every DZ has their own personality, teaching method, and attitude towards students. Choose based on what works for you and what you feel will make you a better skydiver. Don't try to save a buck on learning to enjoy a dangerous sport. If it takes you a few weeks longer to finish because it costs a little more, it might be worth it. If you become a better skydiver by the end of the course, it saves you money in the long run. Disclaimer: I know nothing about either DZ's teaching method or program, nor could I reccomend either, though I did start skydiving at SSM 8 years ago, haven't jumped there in 3 years.

I've got over 500 jumps on one of Kelly's (VSE/Infinity) "lazy bag." VX 104, small HMA line. In that time, 1 brisk opening and 0 line twists. My heading performance during opening actually improved with this bag. Before using Kelly's bag, I had another of the same style using velcro closure and had similar results. I usually pack it reserve style, one "layer" at a time, but I also have packed it by figure-8ing the lines over my fingers and shoving the whole thing in at once. Do the magnets make it difficult/annoying to stow the lines? Are the magnets so strong the close on your fingers while stowing? Do you stow one layer or figure-8 the whole mess?

Did you ask the staff rigger at your home DZ? He's a sewing motherfucker. Does excellent quality work. Mirage and Rigging Innovations used to make them. And, of course, the definitive answer: Ask your local dealer/gear store. Support your local dealer/gear store/dropzone/riggers!

Skydive Dallas is proud to hold our annual Casino Night Fundraiser. Blackjack, Hold 'em, Roulette, Food, Fun, and Prizes. $25 pre-register, $30 @ the door. This year all proceeds go to the Dennis Rasing Recovery Fund. For those of you who don't know Dennis, he is a skydiver who was partially paralyzed due to a premature opening. He is a great belly-flyer, free-flyer, load organizer, and the defination of a great skydiver. Prizes so far: Tunnel Time @ SV colorado 12 BBQ Dinner @ Mike Anderson's BBQ Texas Ranger Tickets Shell Gas Gift Card Itunes Gift Card Barnes & Noble GC Blockbuster GC Free Tandem Free T-shirt and Hat Free Massage Free Pack Jobs Free Reserve Pack jobs Free SDU Coaching Free Canopy Control Course Free Dig Me Video And, the big prize, A Free Day of Skydiving! Michelle recently set the new standard by doing 31 jumps with hers. Also, the Stephan Banic 4-Way comp will be held the same day. Come out and play! 4-way speed stars, no contact exit, 4 formations, 3 rounds, free t-shirts for all competitors.

Helicoptor jumps will be $60 Regular jumps $22 There is a BBQ dinner on Saturday night ($9) The Chris Cameron Band (http://www.chriscameronband.net/home.html) will be playing on Appleton's Deck as well. Come see Doc Mike get down...

The helicoptor will be there Friday-Sunday.

The word for the day is Helicoptor. R44 will be there.

American Revolution Boogie July 2-6 Skydive Dallas No Registration Fee FREE JUMP if you drive over 100 miles (driving in circles doesn't count) CASA Friday-Sunday RW and FF Organizing by Skyventure Colorado (8 of 'em, coming down in full force) Chris Cameron Band on Saturday Night (Doc Mike's band) Freefly Scrambles on Saturday Lift Capacity and organizing for possible 60 ways (Formation Tracking Dive, anyone?) $22 jumps FREE JUMP if you drive over 100 miles Fireworks, Fireworks, Fireworks PD and UPT will be present with demos Dinner Saturday night and T-Shirts will be available separately so you don't have to pay a boogie fee.

Vince will be cooking dinner, so bring a side. The Dive Cafe will be open for lunch. We will also be having a raffle/fundraiser for Dennis. Prizes include free reserve pack job, free one-hour massage, Free Viso w/ armor and some other stuff.

Casa will be there July 4th. Just our usual super otter and super caravan and non super 182 for Just4us

5th Annual Just Fer Us Boogie June 4th at Skydive Dallas Just Fer Us is back. This year, it is back to the way it began. One day, just for skydivers, just for fun. The dropzone will be closed for student business, and it only for experienced jumpers. This is a day for the regulars to jump with the staff and for the staff to fun jump. There will be no students or tandems, although gear rentals will be available. Packing will be available, though perhaps limited. We'll get you on a plane, though, so don't sweat it. Jumps will be $22. NO REGISTRATION FEES! The dz will be providing dinner, but bring a side if you can. Stay for the whole weekend...there are night jumps on Saturday. Come jump with the staff!

Ease of use reduce handeling of lead easier to prevent pencil-packing clarity of due dates for my customers clarity of due dates/information for manifest(s) In other words, no good reason. I don't see an issue with the lead seal, but I don't see any compelling arguement to keep it. I've got about 50 seals left, so I won't be changing that soon.

I've seen them used by a US Rigger. He had an embossing seal with his symbol. His seal was smaller then the fullsize label, but larger then the small one. He also signed it and put "matchmarks" on it to prevent seal/reseal. The label had a place for due date and date packed. I really doubt the adhesive would dry out. The one I saw (broke) was 13 months old and mostly kept in the airplane, in the airplane hanger in West Texas. The only time it left that hanger was to fly a show and return a few days later. No sign of drying out. I like them, and have considered using them. I haven't gotten around to getting any printed up yet. If I use them, I would have the labels printed on tyvek which would prevent forgery.

Gregg @ Skydive Dallas 903.364.5103 John Storrie @ Storrie Parachute Works in Denton 940.484.2222 Both are near Dallas, but not in. Gregg rigs on weekends. Spaceland 281.369.3337

It's probably the Mirage Logo http://miragesys.com/

if you just need to be measured, I'm about 30 minutes from you. reply via PM if you want, I'll check it tonight. You can also send John Deere your number and he can call me. He never does anything and is always on the computer anyway.

HA! as if a bunch of riggers could actually agree enough to actually organize. One guy raised his prices because he was to busy and wanted to scare away some business. Almost everyone else in the area followed suit. Poor guy is busier then ever now. I keep mine about the same as everyone else so I don't undercut those who do it for a living. The nice thing about it not being my main source of income now is I only pack for who I want and can send the whiners and cheapskates to someone else.

I decided awhile back I was going to raise mine 50% when the change came. Since then, I've quit rigging full time. The local union raised their prices a few months ago, to a 50% increase. In this area, I doubt prices will go up any more. I haven't raised mine yet, but will when the 180 rule goes into effect. As a professional rigger, I would definately raise my prices. I don't think many jumpers, especially those who say "there's no increase in work, so no price increase" really understand what it takes to be a GOOD rigger, not just someone who packs reserves. (don't bother telling me you do, or you understand but..., or any other crap like that. What would you tell your boss if s/he cuts your income by 1/3?) Hell, I spend more time on rigs now that I don't do it as often. I have to check every component for SB's since I last packed one. I'm less likely to have packed it before, so out comes the magnifying glass. I have to read the manual of almost everything before I can even pack them anymore. With that said, maybe the less rigging I do the more I should charge. I already have a $10 pain in the ass fee for anything that's a pain in the ass. I refuse to pack a bunch of stuff that is a pain. Look at it this way, those of you who don't want the prices to go up. More then 75% of the skydiving population will want their rig packed in Feb/March/April and in Aug/Sept/Oct. If you have problems getting your rig packed now, what will it be like next year? I'd start buying your rigger some beer now. Maybe I'll just raise my prices Feb-apr and aug-oct...

Skydive Dallas no longer accepts Skyride. Good job Johnny.

Skydive Dallas is under new management (same owners) and no longer accept Skyride or any of their affiliates.

take the toggle off the brake line, pull the line out of the guide ring. take off the slider. put the line through the guide ring. put the toggle back on (through the back, over the bottom.)

I recently worked with a truck driving student. He did 1/2 hour at the tunnel after his first jump. Specifically, he went to one we refer people to and used a coach who is an AFF instructor we refer students to (on his route, but 10 hours from us). He then came back and zipped through his levels in short order. He spent his time on the road reading the SIM and our book. Showing up prepared and having a little training made for a very quick AFF progression.

News we've been waiting for... Dear Friends, Skydive Dallas is pleased to announce that North Texas' premiere dropzone is under new management. Oak Cliff native and long-time Skydive Dallas fixture Johnny Kuczaj took the reins as General Manager this past Sunday, August 17th, 2008. For those of you who don't know Johnny, he has been on the DZ staff for close to five years as an AFF Instructor, SDU Coach, Rigger, Freefly Coach, Load Organizer, Videographer, and honest to goodness Jack-of-all-Trades. Prior to joining the Skydive Dallas staff, Johnny was General Manager of Zero Gravity (http://www.gojump.com/) for four years and brings a wide range of skydiving and management know-how to his new position. We hope you are as excited as we are to have Johnny's energy and enthusiasm at the helm of our wonderful dropzone and hope you will give him your full support as he works to lead Skydive Dallas into a new, and very bright, future. Sincerely, Carol & Lee Schlichtemeier, Owners The Skydive Dallas Staff