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In addition to what has been said, how much of the general public already watch skydiving on TV. I’m sure the number is close to zero, there are no broadcasts, just a quick news segment (usually when something has gone bad) or some ½ hour show on the Discover Channel, or Real TV. Very rarely is it a competition of some sorts. Bottom line there is no one watching skydiving on the TV but skydivers, what network would want to buy the rights to show Olympic Skydiving? I’m guessing not many and if they did they wouldn’t pay much. How many of us have but in a video with some non-skydiving friends, and have them lose interest with the TV within 15, 30, 60 minutes or have they watched until you got tires of it. My guess the max is an hour with most non-skydivers, but most get bored within 15 minutes. Even if we had better angles, there still would not be many people watching. The Olympic people can’t sell TV rights and stadium tickets to our sport as no one cares but us, and we’re the minority. Although, I would watch an all skydiving channel. The morning show would be called Gear Up, the evening show Beer Light, and skydiving infomercials during late night hours… (I could go on) …. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Maybe, the absolute cut-away for this configuration is due to the chance that the pilot chute might start to spin and if it’s caught in a line, especially a brake line it would start to wind up the that line and start a turn that would get worse with time. I had this happen once in Lodi a long time ago, the bag sliped past the stopper and went to the pilot chute (on opening), it fell in front and through the lines, started to twist and take the brakes lines with it. Allmost immediately I had to counter with opposite toggle to keep the Conquest 150 (Sabre like) flying straight. I would have cut it away, but with my round reserve and on the wrong side of the highway I decide that it was better to try to land the main than take a chance with landing a round in the grape stakes. Long story short, by the time I landed, the pilot chute had wraped up enough line and now canopy to create a very good turn, if I wasn’t keeping it straight with opposite toggle. It was a intersesting flight. So if someone at the DZ had a similar situation they might have decide that a student wouldn’t be able to see this problem high enough, and either get hurt when they couldn’t fly it straight, or when they cut away low. Just a thought. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

It might work. I would keep it small, and have it be more mail order. I don’t think there would be enough skydivers in that region to support a walk in gear store, but if you had a small walk in / online store it would have a better chance. BTW. GST is a non-issue unless you are smuggling your gear in, the customs people collect GST at the boarder. BTW2. I didn’t vote since I’m in BC, aint no well in hell I would drive to Ontario for just about any reason. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Funny, that’s similar to how I do it. Must be a west coast rigger thing. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

To add one thing. I’ve packed A LOT of Manta’s, and every now and again, they will slam the freefall student. I don’t lose sleep over it; it’s just unfortunate that this student wasn’t able to confirm that the parachute was good/no-good since they could not look up. Not that I’m saying the student did anything wrong, they were the pilot in command. Basically, I wouldn’t even really count this as a ‘real’ mal, the parachute still opened. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Don’t worry about it too much. There are some rules with parachutes; 1. Parachutes will malfunction; 2. Parachutes will malfunction even if everything is done correctly; 3. Those that pack parachutes must accept that that parachutes can malfunction despite what they do. If you’re really worried have a rigger supervise you, other than just be thankful that your first “parachute that you packed malfunction” is out of the way. You can always buy a case of bear and call it even.

I can’t really figure out your drawing, but I think I know what you’re trying to say. With some manufactures that have 2 pin reserves the closing loop is ‘free’ that is you can pull it out if there is nothing stopping it. So if only one ripcord pin releases the closing loop should slip through and release the tension allowing the p/c to launch (in theory). Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

I’ve also herd it called Gradual Free Fall (GFF) or Standard Progression. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Try doing a search of the posts; I think there was a topic in another forum, maybe "history", that covered this very subject. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

I’m a little confused about why you made that comment in response to me, despite having the smiley face, but anywho… Although, manufactures like PD may not have an official stand on length of repack cycles PD does have a # of repack cycle life for their reserves. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

When my novices are having trouble with getting the parachute in the bag I have them just practice that for a while. Basically pack it up to the bag, get in the bag, then pull it out carefully and re-work the cigar roll and place it back in the bag, repeat until you’re sick of it or you feel good about how it went in. But, this is a practice pack, and should not be jumped, all the in the bag and out plus re-working the roll can change things inside so it’s best to be safe. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Not to go somewhat off topic but your reserve is not your last chance; it’s your best chance. If you’re low, or cannot land your main parachute, the reserve parachute is your best chance at survival. Packing a reserve is one of the worst things you can do to a reserve. When I was taking my rigger course I repacked one of my rigs about the equivalent of ten times in three months and I noticed a change in how the parachute ‘felt’ while packing it. I’ve packed a lot of f-111 parachutes and have a good feel for how a nearly new f-111 parachutes feels and how a less than nearly new f-111 parachute feels. Obviously this is subjective to my over ten years experience packing parachutes, but I did feel a difference. And, yes jumping a reserve can be hard on it too. Fast opening, then landing in a field with bristles does reduce the effectiveness of the parachute. Also, how the reserve is picked up after the jump is very important. When I have landed after a reserve ride, I’ll take the harness off, walk the harness to the parachute, carefully lift the lines up off the ground and daisy chain, and then carefully lift as straight up as possible the parachute. This reduces the chance of picking up a thorn (or similar) that might cause un-needed wear on a parachute. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Yah, that’s just a rumor. There is no talk at the moment of that happening. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Exactly, sometimes when I hand a rig back to an owner after giving it a repack I say “OK, you’re reasonable for it’s airworthiness.” Most of the time a get a confused look, and explain if you see something let myself or another rigger know, or if you leave it out side at night your looking for trouble, etc. They then understand what I meant. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

On a more serious note. Repack length is done for safety (either 120 or 180 days), a whole mess of stuff can happen to a parachute while packed up in a container. The pack doesn’t change that much but if its in there long enough it’s kind a fun to pull it out of the freebag and see it keeps its shape even when it drops to the floor. This ‘stuck together pack’ might take an extra second to open, but you may need that second to live. But more important is the inspection, AAD batteries can leak, the Peruvian Boot Weasel may lay eggs in your container that produce a acid like substance, I can go on about what could happen but… This is why a skydiver could keep their gear in date. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

This is kind of a trick question. The longest I would jump a rig that was out of date is 0 days. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

It kind a depends what you jump. If you’re going to be jumping a F-111 or hybrid (half-zp) parachute flat-packing is fine you can also pro-pack but it doesn’t really matter. But if your flying a zp canopy it is best to pro pack it. I’ve seen many a ‘recovering’ old timer try to flat pack the sabre they just jumped and have it go all over the place while trying to pack it. But then again, you can pro pack zp, it just a little harder than if its f-111. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

To answer you A/C emergency question. The dive out pull silver handle is how we (my dz) train FJS to get out of the A/C in an emergency. Never had to do it but that’s what they ‘should’ do if the need arises. If it was me, yup if I’m low enough that I’m going to the silver handle on the exit, I’m doing it in a dive out. Of course if you’re high enough to use your main, but still relatively low a quick step of the doorframe or of the wheel strut and pull is your best bet. If your really high dive out free fall clear, and call the ball when you pull (location, jumpers coming out behind you and those out in front) I don’t really want to advise when to pull in this case it’s more of a DZ specific policy so ask your safety guy or gal. I’ve done (used to when videoing CRW) the dive out pull, but I would caution that if your feet are really up there, that is your head is down so that your vertical it is possible to catch the pilot chute on your feet. Not a good situation. So if your going to practice this I would recommend that you wait a second to start to come of the hill the pull. I’ve had the pilot chute bounce off my feet before; gooood times. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

I would listen to kansasskydiver. I’m the SO at my DZ and I get stuff second hand all the time usually well after the fact. Talk to your safety officer (or whatever you guys call it down south), and DZO etc. Unfortunately there are few people out there that do this kind of stuff on a regular basis; you’ll get used to it and have a standard response. Most of the time the student or novice doesn’t even really know what has happened and you can move on with out to much delay. HTH Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

When learning to pack it is best to try and learn from one person. If you use several different people they may all have slightly different ways to pack (and ways to teach you to pack) and it will be very hard to learn to pack. Also don’t worry about how long it takes you to pack a parachute, speed comes with experience. Take notes on what procedure comes next, I have found that most people when learning to pack know what to do but not in what order (do I set the brakes now?, etc.) so if you write down the key points you can use it as a study guide or a cheat sheet when packing. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Which terminal Rob, normal or tandem terminal that’s a big variable. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

Hi Adam, the “Excaliber” is a good rig, probably one of the best you’ll find from the 80’s. The harness is the same that is used on the Sidewinder H/C system (I think) and is very comfortable. The Excaliber is not TDO’d but since your in Canada that is not a problem and don’t think it’s any less of a rig because it is not, it is a very solidly constructed H/C system. Here is a link to Flying High’s website, http://www.agt.net/public/flyhigh/ not too much data on the excaliber has they are only making the Sidewinder but you can take a look at the company. If your thinking about buying an Excaliber and the price is right go for it you’ll get a good deal. BTW. Harness is what holds you in. Container is what holds the parachutes in. H/C is the whole thing. Just in case you didn’t know, not to sure how many jumps you have. Blue skies Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

CSPA, started a new CoP (license) system back in 2000. The first 3 licenses ensure that the skydiver has basic skydiving skills and survival FS skills (docking, tracking, etc.). After that to get a C or D license they have to perform 2 of 5 tasks (there are some other tasks, but that’s not important). Each task concentrates one the major disciplines, FS, style, freefly, CRW, and accuracy. Example, a skydiver could get a C license by performing 5 FS 4 way jumps with 5 or more completed formations within 35 secs (using 4 different FAI formations per jump) and perform a style set in 13 seconds. Other C license options, freefly series in 16 seconds, from sit, backloop, frontloop, 360 right 360 left, cartwheel right, cartwheel left; 5 CRW 4 way jumps, with 4 rotations (5 points) within 2.5 mins; 5 accuracy jumps within 15 cm of a electronic pad. D license options 5 FS 4 or 8 way with 7 points (35 secs & 50 secs respectively) each using 5 FAI formations; style in 11.5 secs; 2 way freefly with interactive camera consisting of exit move, spock, monkeyflip, spock, eagle, transition, dock, transition, dock, end move in 40 secs. (don’t have a clue what those formations are); 5 CF 4 way jumps with 8 rotations within 2.5 min; 5 accuracy jumps with in 5 cm on an electronic pad. This system kind of splits the difference and allows skydivers options but still requires them to be a well rounded skydiver. BTW. The first 3 licenses include a Solo Certificate which is not a CoP (license) or at least not in the eyes of the FAI. Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

You can very easily wrap a tail ten plus times. First off, you pull the tail around so that the entire centre cell is around. You can achieve this safely by using your legs and knees to control the pack job so that you do not disturb the lines or folds. Second, the folds are best when they are very tight, ~1 inch, folded onto it’s self and are done away from the front of the canopy. Also, since the nose is placed deep into the pack job, the tail (when being folded) should be nowhere near the nose. Even when rolling the nose, placing the rolls deep into the pack (not into the center cell) is fine and will result in a softer opening. I have never had the tail get rolled into the nose, I’ve seen it done and solved many a skydivers spiny opening by observing their pack job. This is also one of those many aspects of the sport that is almost impossible to describe with out showing how it’s done. So if you’re not comfortable with it find a method that works for you that you know is safe. All I know is 16,000 + pack jobs can’t be wrong (zero mals). Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR

When I have packed a Hornet 190 I pack it just the same way I pack my Stiletto 135. Do the standard PRO pack. When it comes to the nose, ensure that you have all 9 cells gather them into one hand a place them deep into the center (no rolls, no folds, just open and together and deep in the pack job). The slider should be ‘stared’, but pull out most of it towards the nose so that there is a lot of slider material out in front, fold it sideways against the rest of the pack job (this keeps it out of the way when rolling the tail, but you still have to be careful). Roll the tail ~10 times very tight, and shove that in towards the center. Packed over a 100 hornets, never a complaint about too hard or fast an opening, usually it’s “that took way too long”, but really it’s a novice jumper not used to a more sporty canopy, plus the student rigs are packed to open fast. HTH Sean CSPA ratings C1, C2, IA, IB, QE, RA, and EJR