theQ

My point was really simple, if FAA suggested/approved them on reserves they must have had a reason for it, that's the part I don't get. Your comparison with tires I get, what I don't get is FAA point! Do they know more that we do, that's my hidden question.

totally silly question. If I jump solo whom should sign it for me ?

I admit this is a wild thought but considering that FAA approved the beefier reserve slinks on reserves why not use them on mains. they should be stronger and safer don't they ? Can any master rigger weight in ?

Sounds like a crap shoot :) Just need to inspect it frequently and be careful with it. Would have been nice to know a range 400 to 600 jumps but HMA usage differs from case to case.

Anyone can tell me when the 700 HMA lines should be changed, how much such a job would cost. Is there an indicator that the lines need to be replaced ? Thanks!

"AADs didn't capture the loop" can you be more specific what do you mean by that ? Is that an expression that I don't know ?

Ok that leads me to the other can of worms V2 or C2 ?

Ok, I already forgot about Argus!

so why is not entirely banned is if is that bad! I just read some posts from 2011 about Argus equipped rigs being grounded.

Is there a list of rigs it doesn't fit ?

Thanks!

I am looking for a used AAD, Argus seems to be fairly cheap compared with Vigil and Cypress. I viewed some comparisons, they are not bad when it comes to Argus, everybody brings up for how long Cypress was around and how well tested it is - German Engineering after all but is Argus that bad ? Would any of you bring me some pros and cons arguments for Argus ? I am addressing to Argus owners and those that considered it and didn't go for it. Thanks!

It looks like they aren't many used PD Pulse available out there. Is anyone willing to give me some tips where to find used canopies for sale outside of dz.com ? Thanks!

My question to you is, what are you doing here? According to your first post it is to 'defer to the more knowledgeable' but you dismiss everything said until you 'speak with your instructor.' What made you come to the conclusion you were thinking a silhouette? WHO told you WHAT about this canopy that sold you on it without even checking to see (or even knowing this was possible) that your prospective wing loading would be, literally, OFF the charts?? OF COURSE your instructor had only good things to say about it, you are alive and progressing. A teacher is not going to bash you when trying to forward your learning. Maybe you rushed it?? You think!? Quit being big headed. Sell that container for a different one. A lot has happened in 20 years in skydiving. You're not 'coming back after a break', you are new. Canopys don't fly like they did, containers don't work like they did, and you didn't have all the experiences of other people to learn from that we do in modern times. Don't be a statistic because you refuse to learn from others mistakes. Equally as important, don't be a statistic because you choose to listen to only ONE persons mistakes. This message may sound harsh but its better than an obituary. I'm out. Ha, it was harsh. Someone here told me plain and clear not to trust strangers advice's, a thing I knew so I always talk with my instructors and they do tell me when I make mistakes, I like it that way. As for my first canopy I am considering Silhouette or Pilot, I read reviews about them, lots of people praise them to be a good first canopy to own. How did you get info about your first canopy ?! I understand that there are two kind of people out there - people that care for piloting the canopy and - people that careless about piloting the canopy (IMHO these people should never try to give advice about canopies) I do enjoy piloting, it's fun and I don't get the second category, not even a bit. I prefer to learn from other people mistakes so I took note of all the above!

That is simply untrue, and not a good idea to get into your head. "Anyone" was indeed generalizing, but I've seen people that jump 97-135 and are around 160-175lbs, there is no way that's in the range the manufacturer recommends. E.g. Stilletto 97 max exit weight is 165lbs, I've seen people at 180-190 jumping those! Anyhow this is an observation, ain't me that breaks those specs - just to be clear so I won't get another harsh and long scolding!

There were some good comments here. Thanks you much! I tend to be on the safe side, I do it for fun not for pain. BTW I did too jump rounds 20 years back, around 40 jumps of them, fun but no control, after that I jumped the wings. A general observation unrelated to the OT - I don't think anyone is following the manufacturer chats. You can't tell me that all those guys that fly bellow 100sf mains follow the manufacturer specs - as a matter of fact probably most of them are breaking the max exit weight for the given chute surface to achieve higher wing loads or brag how small their main (chute) is :) Sure some are experts and beyond, just some.

I am pretty good with the canopy, my instructor had only good words to say about it, I personally don't think I am expert - that takes thousands of jumps. I pilot the canopy pretty cleanly I'd say. I did not see that chart. I will get in touch with my instructor, maybe I rushed it.

My opinion is worth what you paid for it, and I don't know you. But you did ask, so: based on the other information you have given, that is very aggressive. You haven't shown any other signs of wanting to be that aggressive, so I would say it's just too small! Yes, it looks that way but I won't transition from 220 to 150 just like that. I will not jump my new rig anytime soon 1. I need get comfortable on a 170 first, doing the transition downwards properly 210, 190, 170 - I will ask my instructors to advise me on that transition. 2. It won't happen anytime soon. I spent most of my budget, need to get a main(thinking Silhouette) and an AAD.

That is absolutely true should be nothing unless if loose your footing and land on you shoulder then it's your Mass times G !

Right now I am jumping a 220 but I thinking that by this time next year will be on a 150. So I am going to get a container that can fit a 150 main, container that should allow me to downsize if feel like it. 21 one years ago I was jumping a RL12/2, the 7 cell, a German accuracy parachute. This years I started with a PD Navigator 260 that thing is huge. What I want to achieve in this sport is to be able to land where I want while having fun in the air. I am not doing this for performance, that ship has sail 21 years ago. Basically I want nothing more than to be a fun jumper that enjoys the freedom and vista only the skydivers enjoy. I found a Mirage G4 M1 that can fit mains up to 150 so now I am looking for a main. I weight 175-180, depending on how much water I drink :) :)

before i had around 160 jumps mainly with accuracy style chutes, 7 cells, the very puffy kind :). I am flying 220 from a 240 from a 260, i guess that's the standard progression for a student, I didn't questioned it, I followed what the instructor told me. I assume I will be jumping smaller canopies till I buy my own, this thread is to make an informed decision. For a while I will still be renting DZ rigs but I need to understand what I want/need. It is a good point about buying for now... I just hoped I only could swap mains but looks like that's not that practical. Do you thnk is wise to keep an eye on versatile containers or just to get over it and pick one then move to another one. Thanks!!!

I did do that, I wanted to tackle it from all angles. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Hello, Well, after 20 years of not jumping i decided to do it again and I regained my solo status and flying a 220 from the DZ. I am 5' 11" at 175-180lbs. I am pretty decent with the canopy flying, was trained on accuracy and funny i still remember how to get close to the target. I know I will be buying an olded rig with RSL that's the part i know - the part I don't is what size main, I am thinking 170 or even a 150. The main idea is that I want a versatile container that will allow me to downsize easily in the next few good years without selling and buying a bunch of containers till I get settled on what fits me best. What should I do, I defer this to the more knowledgeable. I would appreciate any thoughts you might have! Thanks in advance! Q