Skydivesg

So a new question: When should I replace the line set? Or just the brake lines? ********************* I usually replace the lower steering lines at least once before a full re-line. I'm not shy about doing line replacements. Some people tell me I'm too quick to replace them. I haven't had a malfunction in over 6,000 jumps. I think I'll keep with my way of thinking. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I have that one and "Blocking Together" but won't sell either. I also have the one Fast is talking about. It's a very good alternative. It was put together by Mike Truffer who use to publish Skydivng Magazine. And yes hes still sells it. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Not sure of the details but Chicagoland Skydiving Center has a gear store that finances gear. Pretty sure there are others but the problem, as many has stated, is that you will likely have to by new. I'd figure out a way to buy used. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

My Firefly has the loop which (if I wanted) could be larks headed, but I just use it as a loop around my hand. I can adjust the length and tension using a friction adapter iside - near the elbow. Came standard on my Firefly jacket. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Correct, but the Collins Lanyard evolved from the 'external' white piece of line (introduced in 1998), to black internal loop, to yellow loop introduced in 2005 (as a response to the tandem fatality). So, I was asking about the 3rd generation of Collins Lanyard. In reading the documents you linked it does appear that the new Collins lanyard is Standard on all UPT Sport Rigs. But I bet UPT can answer that better than I. Matt You're right. All Vectors now have the split housing with (yellow) Collins lanyard - even if the Skyhook is not installed. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I just covered this very subject extensively at our Safety Day yesterday. I commend you for practicing your canopy flight manuevers so when you needed to make what may have been a life saving decision, you were able to react with a trained (predetermined) response. Don't worry about making the mistakes. Most of us have made them and even still make them. The key is being able to fly ourselves out of a poor decision so we can live to learn. Congratulations. Keep practicing those canopy skills. Now it's your duty to spread the news and encourage your young friends to do the same. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Just for the heck of it, check out this video. It talks about using big bands and double stowing them from a well respected canopy company - PD. While not perfectly on topic it will help give you some perspective. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nsca5add8g&feature=BFa&list=PL45E3B7998E49283E&lf=plcp&context=C3ba9045FDOEgsToPDskKtwuSbBH6eBKT_rvwiaKOl&index=14 Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I think doing this in a week is great idea. My son did it and he is now making his name in the sport. He started at 17 and now at 25 makes his living skydiving. I can't comment on any other DZs that do this but there is one that I absolutely can recommend and that is Skydive Chicago. They have the A license in a week program and I can tell you that it is amazing. I have never seen or heard of any other DZ that puts you through the paces like Skydive Chicago. The instructors, many of whom I know personally, are top notch. The DZ is arguabally the best in the world. Camping, night life (which is very important), jumping 7 days a week and great staff. You can't go wrong with this DZ. And getting your A in a week will launch you into our sport. Good luck with your choice. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I sent a PM. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

BTW hockeyrocks...... the Carolyn who responded (halcyoncrow) is the Carolyn Chow I was talking about. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

That's my understanding as well. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Carolyn Chow is an awesome coach and one of the most fun people you will ever meet. She does a lot of tunnel stuff. And she has a very unique and hilarious party trick. I'll send her a pm on FB so she can respond to this post. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

I'm responding to this thread in general not to any specific person. I think this is a good discussion especially this last page. Canopy choice and canopy flight skills have become and will likely continue to be the most important debate in our sport for the forseeable future. I for one don't want to see rules implemented in the US like the ones that started this thread. I am a firm believer in education. Having said this I know I must accept the fact that there will always be people who choose to short cut and end up busting them selves up or worse. As it's been said before, our sport by it's very nature draws that type of person. I do have an observation. I believe part of the problem is many of the people who have, in the past, made poor canopy choices and learned to fly those canopies by the seat of their pants and yet somehow have come through the other side unscathed. Now those people have hundreds and sometimes even thousands of jumps with nary a scratch and because they got away with it they encourage newer jumpers to do the same. What I have noticed is that those jumpers don't always take a public stand but instead give the old pat-on-the-back, a wink and a wisper to the noob saying ...."don't worry about those old conservative guys. They're just fun haters" And the problem just continues to perpetuate. This may not be a problem every where but over recent years I've witnessed it at several DZs. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

As far as I can see, the only MARD being used/sold in the US is the Skyhook. I can't comment on rigs or MARDs from other countries. This forum is obviously world wide but my knowledge is limited to US rigs. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

If it's a brand new rig then ask what it would take $$ to change out the harness and make it fit you. 1.5 inches too long in the main lift web is not a good fit. It all depends on how much you will be paying and if your willing to put up with an ill fitting rig. IMO a bit too small would be a lot better than a bit too big. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

That's great. Glad to hear it. Mine is still active as well. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Awesome! Is he still jumping? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

nice

Jerry, thank you for the response. I'm not dissing you for being vague. I completely understand the need to keep some things close to the vest. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Probably the tandem fatality. Skyhook complicated the situation there. If that is the case he is talking about (I would like him to confirm that it is) then he is puttting all the blame on the Skyhook. I know that incident was discussed quite extensively (and I really don't want to re-hash all of it again). However if one takes the position that the MARD caused those deaths then shouldn't one also admit that the deaths would not have occurred had the AAD not started the reserve deployment sequence in the first place? So maybe we should attribute the deaths to the AAD and not the MARD. Or maybe we should blame both and not use either device? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Here is a post I made about one year ago on this same subject in a different thread. ***************************************** I can't comment on what is the correct amount of force to deploy single or double wrap stows. However, I have been double wrapping my stows for more than ten years dating back to when I jumped an original Sabre. So I've used it on Sabres 1 & 2, Stilletto, Samurai, Katana and Velocity. I use packers on 70-80% of my jumps and always told them to double stow everything including the locking stows. Some times they were reluctant but I always insisted and even monitored those who were shy about doing it. I've had the advantage of seeing video of many openings specifically shot to show the opening sequence of a deploying canopy. I have seen some very ugly footage. One of things that is quite noticable is how distorted the bag becomes during the line deployments. The top of the bag is pulled up by the pilot chute often causing the sides to get squeazed in giving the bag a trapazoid look. This dramatically reduces the tension on the line stows of which so many of you speak. On weather days and safety day I have taken several bags of friends at our dz and emulated this distortion on the ground. It's amazing (and funny) to see the reactions of people when they see their lines just fall out of the stows in no specific order. And bare in mind, I don't know anyone who replaces all the bands on their bag at the same time. Instead, we replace them as they break or are very near breaking. This means that some of the bands are new and the rest are in various stages of wear with huge differences in force required to deploy the line stow. Also bare in mind that PD uses their sponsored athletes for feedback on various topics, including this one. So the recommendation is not based on just the R&D department, which for me would be enough, it includes thousands of jumps from the field. I'm not in R&D for anyone and I'm not a rigger. I'm just some guy making a few hundred jumps a year trying not to have a malfunction and trying to stay healthy enough to make a few thousand more. I have made several thousand jumps double stowing large bands on all my stows and I plan on making many more. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

_________________________________________________ I think it is even worse than what, as I always said, the MARD system on the civilian market will kill more than it will save people, and if I count right, it is already the case ( 2 deaths fatalities because a MARD, how many saves because a MARD ?) Could you please be more specific? Of which two deaths are you speaking? Location? Circumstances? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Thanks for the info Kelly. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

Is that question for me? OK, I'll take it. One major rig mfr ( who has people posting photos of their latest purchase of one of them ) did begin to put the RAX system on their rig. Then the point person who I was dealing left the company. I have not heard where they are at, if at all, since then, which was ~ 3 yrs ago. One other major rig mfr once said to me that he had never heard anyone tell him that they were not going to buy his rig because it did not have a MARD. It's there for anyone who wants it. JerryBaumchen Jerry, the question was for any one who would provide information. Thank you for at least partially answering it. Reading between the lines, (which I'm not good at) tells me that there is no rig company using either of the devices in the US at this time. (correct me if I'm wrong) I will not try guessing the two companies which you are obviously reluctant to name. Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.

So, is any one using or plan on using either of these devices in the US. If so - who? on what rig? Be the canopy pilot you want that other guy to be.