RMURRAY

fred, give MEL a call. he will know. rob Skyworks Parachute Service 2222 Buffalo - West Springs Hwy. P. O. Box 507 Buffalo, SC 29321 (864) 429-8428

from the jumpshack site in case you haven't read... In January of 2003, at the PIA Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida, John Sherman introduced the Speedbag as a solution to the possibility of line dump during a reserve deployment. Most freebags produced in the U.S. utilize a single, looped, piece of shock cord bungee to create two locking stows, with the balance of the lines “S” folded into a pouch that is held closed by two pieces of Velcro with a single exit point in the center. One downside of this system is that there is no rigidity between the locking stows. No matter how carefully a rigger packs, the stow will always create uneven tension on the line bights, allowing the possibility of line dump. Also should the locking stow break (and it only needs one break to release both stows) the lines can dump out and the canopy can inflate before line extension creating the possibility of catastrophic failure. With more people loading their reserves heavily and flying their bodies at greater speeds the potential for this situation is greatly enhanced. Sherman devised a bag, where every stow is a locking stow, and the lines are held in place by rubber bands (bands conforming to mil. Spec. R-1832 are recommended). Furthermore the stows are placed on the bag so that the mass of the lines is evenly balanced, offering a greater opportunity for even deployment. When stowed correctly, 50% of the mass of each line stow is between each pair of stows with 25% of the mass on the left outside and 25% on the right outside. Quite simply the speedbag has two closing flaps that overlap. The first flap to cover the canopy has two rows of rubber bands while the second, overlapping, flap has soft grommets sewn into it. The rubber bands secure the lines in a balanced and orderly fashion, and should any band break during the deployment sequence, the lines cannot dump out as the next stow in sequence regains control of the deployment. The absence of metal grommets avoids the possibility of any reaction with, or abrasion against, the rubber, and the ordered and controlled line deployment offers the potential for a safer reserve deployment. The Speedbag was throughly tested as both a main and a reserve deployment bag and, while the main bag is an available option, the reserve version is now supplied as standard with all Racer models.

I'd say watch what their actions are in the future. I think they will all come out with something similar - because there is a (potential) problem that needs addressing. Which manufacturers have moved away from the safety stow already? rm

the VENGEANCE was one of the few mistakes PD has made. I'd go Sabre2 - easy to sell when you are done with it - then move on to Icarus. rm

You must be looking at OLD risers. The last couple of sets I have ordered have the red webbing. I replace them at 500 jumps, maybe yours were well used. As for the posters question, ask Riggerrob about Voo Doos I think he worked at RI and knows alot about the history of the Talon, Flexon etc. rm

I will go with John Sherman's opinion before yours any day. Non reinforced risers - not sure what the hell you are talking about here. Bottom line is all the main manufacturers offer freefly friendly rigs. It comes down to personal preference. How's the pd126r I sold to you working out? rm

get informed....JumpShack have a bullet proof freefly rig with no velcro and have for years. rm

tandam racer is typically 38lbs - so it is here already. rm

I have recently changed my diet to no meat (of any kind), no dairy, no eggs. Next is to get off processed or refined foods. I have been meaning to do this for years but after watching a documentary on obesity, heart disease, how they raise animals these days etc made the change. I need to lose some weight but have not made the change to lose weight. Now when I see a grossly overweight person, I ask myself "I wonder if they share the same attitude" - of course the answer is NO. rm edit -- flame away, I don't care!

if you are going to buy new, aren't all manufacturers equally freefly friendly? i.e. they are all excellent. To me, that is an old term that seems it will never go away. rm

My life experience tells me that there's a HUGE correlation in the US & Canada between socio-economic status and/or education and smoking. Yes, when I was in college (in the late 70's) a hell of a lot of college students smoked. But for that group, it was more of a micro stage-of-life thing; most of them gave it up by their mid-20's. But nowadays virtually nobody I know or come into contact with, between the ages of 25 and 60, who has a BA/BS degree or higher & works in a white-collar environment, smokes. I don't think I'm alone in that experience. agreed. I just went through our phone list. I work in an engineering design office. For 38 graduate engineers...5 of 38 smoke. That is 13%. I would have guessed less than 10%. rm

I am no expert but is head down tandem just an accident waiting to happen? rm

I think it is already in place in Ontario (Canada). I haven't seen anyone smoking indoors (like resturants) in a couple of years... rm

the good effects are we will get some of the cars Europe has had for years - people will be forced to park the SUVs for commuting. long overdue. rm

as the bag is being pull off your back the canopy wants to stay where it is. it is the locking stows which make the canopy go along for the ride. the locking stows see more stress at this time and if they are about to break (I say due to lack of maintenance) could at this time and allow the canopy out prematurely (I suppose not as likely with 4 locking stows). this is bag strip or line dump, and can result in a brutally hard opening. If the bag makes it to line stretch - what you say is true. rm

RWS only talks about and shows rubber bands in the owners manual I just down loaded. Anyway, it is up to the user. The "good" thing is baglock (due to a band which will not break) is a no brainer - cut away and dump the reserve - and quick since it is probably a high speed mal. rm

this discussion is on these new bands. I say use them if you want but know what the risks are....I'll continue to use (MIL spec) rubber bands based on the position of one of the few guys with 35 years experience in the business. rm

not true. they are there for the orderly deployment of lines. just watch, all manufacturers will have something similar in the future. The point I was trying to make is rubber bands break and that is a good thing. I only have 2 locking stows and rarely have one break because I watch them and change before they break. This brings up another point, people more and more do not "know their gear" - shit, half of them don't even pack for themselves - no packer is going to change a rubber band unless it is already broken.... rm

I remember a comment from someone in Finland where the turnaround time (up to 2000 ft or so and down) for a turbine 206 was something like 2 minutes. I assume this was winter and this cannot be done continuously (fuel) - they will need several planes. rm

Not to mention that I prefer rubber bands because thew will Break agreed. I would say go ahead and use them but be aware of the risks....this from John Sherman of Jumpshack.... Rubber Bands Break For a Reason It has become apparent to me that despite the problems in the past with out-of-sequence openings among other things, that people haven't learned that rubber bands break for a reason. The U.S. Government spent a lot of money developing a specification for parachute stow bands. In my 35 years in the sport I have never found an acceptable substitute. You might find a product which will work most of the time and which might seem to solve your breakage problem. But don't count on it working every time in every situation. If you think about it, you might ask why someone hasn't previously come up with a more durable product. It's such a simple matter, a stronger rubber band, and there are a lot of smart people who have come before us…. I remember the “Red” rubber band that was popular for a while in the 70's. They ended up melting and sticking to the grommets. I remember the Buna "N" "O" rings. They “spit” lines. I remember the Type 17 riser problem that was traced to a non-Mil. Spec Stow band. If you haven’t had a bag lock due to one of these breakable” stow bands – you probably will. I have witnessed three bag lock/cutaways that are directly attributable to “bands that would not break.” Consider this; Parachute "system" designers develop components based upon the characteristics of the stow band. This is a fact. I know, as that is what I do for a living, and have been doing it for over 30 years. I strongly advise all parachutists to use only Mil Spec. Rubber Stow Bands. To use anything else can and will compromise your system. The really good aspect of all of this is that Mil. Spec. Rubber Bands cost considerably less than all of the new-fangled substitutes.

if you want comfortable try a racer with NONE of your items... I'll add wind tunnel training and design of RW suits. rm Um....no thanks. you missed tie dye containers. that is major too! rm

if you want comfortable try a racer with NONE of your items... I'll add wind tunnel training and design of RW suits. rm

just talking to a TM here in Ontario who basically set the price way back in the 80's. It was 100CDN (using their own gear of course). Today 100CDN is about 85US. He kept the same price all along. He is getting into video now because it is not worth doing tandems anymore (no one is willing to pay that much). In my mind, TM with their own gear (60US) are underpaid these days... rm

I don't trust 'em. I had a misfire on a perfectly good in service AAD that had just come back from it's four year. They could never tell me why it happened. It's a machine, built and programmed by people. You're better off relying on good procedures and sensible judgement about the situations that you jump in. Mind you, the argument is moot, as it's only us old farts who feel comfortable jumping without them these days. I think AADs are a good thing. I just don't want one in my rig. Of course, it all depends on the jumping you are into. 4 way and swooping are lower risk than FFing or AFF. I'll get one when they are mandatory, which is coming some day... rm

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I posed this same question to an old jump pilot. Chris has thousands of hours in all the popular Cessna and DeHavilland bush and jump planes. He currently flies a Cessna Caravan - on floats - in Northern British Columbia. Chris said that all single-engined Otters are great for short take-offs (low wing loading) but never climbed very fast. Granted, a turbine engine vastly shortens take-off runs, but it still does not make a single Otter a fast climber. Also, that tail-wheel vastly increases insurance cost, so most turbine (single) Otters earn their livings on floats. Well the insurance issue may explain it. My DZO complains about Transport Canada pilot and insurance requirements for his 206 - much more stringent than a 182 since it is a different "class" of plane. Also, I have been in a 185 (tail dragger) which didn't quite make it off the ground on take off - nobody hurt but I know first hand pilot skill is a definately must! What DZs currently run a turbine single otter? rm