slotperfect

No biggie. There are a chunk of posts missing from the Search Posts function, roughly from Jan to Mar 2006. councilman24's original post (which has the most information, I think) was caught up in that black hole. I found it by looking back through the pages of the G&R Forum to posts made during that timeframe. In this case I just threw those posts up there so you could do some more reading about the document itself. Cheers, Arrive Safely John

Feel free to start your own if this one doesn't suit you . . . OR (what a concept) you could just choose to ignore this poll since it doesn't meet your standards. That's what "Other (please explain)" is for. The main malfunctioning (total or otherwise) is obviously the first step in the "double malfunction" scenario. The nature of the reserve malfunction required for the "double malfunction" label is the point of my poll, not how the main malfunctions. Arrive Safely John

A friendly suggestion: when you post to a topical forum such as this one, make your post as coherent as possible. Many people will not take the time to decipher your contrived pseudo-english and you will miss out on good answers to your question. My opinion: buy used gear as your first rig, sized perfectly for your experience level, DZ elevation. Your first rig should fit the discipline you are into now. Once you buy your used rig, start seriously banking the money for a new rig when your experience level and your desired disciplines make the rig impractical or inappropriate. Once you buy your new (second) rig, think hard before you sell your old one. Unless it is worn out, it may be worth hanging on to. Arrive Safely John

I have seen some recent posts that talk about double malfunctions being "frequent occurrences" or "on the rise." I am curious how double malfunctions are most commonly defined. What is your definition? Arrive Safely John

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2112257;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2121583;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed; http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2766789;search_string=FAA-H-8083-17;#2766789 Arrive Safely John

Try refreshing the page after you make your avatar changes. Arrive Safely John

What's the subject? Arrive Safely John

I removed two of the three repeated replies from this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2787330#2787330 Why he posted it three times in the same thread, and then started a new one, I don't know. He's not off to a very good start. Arrive Safely John

I used the canopy manufacturer's instructions for flaking and folding the canopy. I did so after calling Sandy on the phone. I don't use clamps. I like to use as few tools as I can during the back job. Arrive Safely John

My B-17 jump was from the aircraft they used to film the movie "Memphis Belle." I jumped out of the bomb bay on the left side, facing aft. I got to crank the bomb bay doors open by hand (very cool), then stodd straddling the opening with one foot on the bomb rack and another on the spar (support) on the bomb bay door. After my team mate behind me left, I simply pulled in arms and legs and dropped straight down facing aft. I did a 270 bask loop and joined my mates in free fall. Arrive Safely John

That's right . . . now how 'bout a beer? Just put it on my tab. Arrive Safely John

I have a very generous Uncle. Jump from a B-17's bomb bay at less than normal altitude (got one for free) 30,000' night jump on oxygen (have about a dozen from 25,000 for free) A jet jump from just above normal altitude (one from 26,000 for free) A balloon jump at significantly less than normal altitude (one from 3300 for free) OK . . . so they weren't really free - I have happily given him 23 years in return. Many thanks to Uncle Sam. If I were to pay for them as a civilian, and they could be done relatively safely, the O2 jump and the balloon jump would be worth the cash. Arrive Safely John

*Sigh* If a DZ allows students who are 16 years old with notarized parental or guardian consent, they ARE following USPAs BSRs. So what exactly IS your point? My reply was to your "bottom line" statement about tandems for students who are under 18. You made a blanket statement that is incorrect. I don't understand your analogy. It is a DZO's choice whether or not to be a USPA Group Member. They accept all of the possible risks of going alone when they do so. But the reality of it is, they are required to adhere to the FARs along with state and local laws. They are NOT required to become USPA Group members. Do I think a USPA Group Memberhip is a good idea? Yes. Do I support USPA? Yes. Do I follow the BSRs? Yes. Am I going to judge DZOs who choose not to be USPA Group Members? No. Arrive Safely John

The principle of taking up underage tandem students and the reality of available opportunities are two different conversations. Depending on the position one finds himself in (parent, instructor, DZO, etc.), the decision whether or not to allow underage tandems may show itself at some point. Contrary to your comment, this is not always determined by laws or regulations. I am not a lawyer, but I did some homework, including consulting a lawyer, about underage tandem students. First, the FARs (Part 105.45) do not specify a minimum age for tandem students. Before tandem jumps became a part of FAR Part 105, they were conducted under an exemption, which did specify students were to be at least 18 years old. That limit is no longer in place. Second, many state and local laws do not prohibit underage tandems as others do. Third, USPA's minimum age for skydiving students is 16 with parental or guardian consent (SIM, Section 2-1.D.1.b.). There is no specific age limit for tandem students. Many well-established USPA dropzones in the US have a long standing history of successfully training students from the age of 16. Also, as you may have read in other posts in this thread, other countries allow much younger tandem students. Please remember that this is an international forum. Personally, I am happy with the USPA's 16 year old limit, and happily/comfortably operate within that limit here in the US. I do believe there is a line to be drawn regarding age of students, but since I freely accept the limits in the US I have not given a lot of thought to that number. Arrive Safely John

Added Scott Palmer (teamlf) from Skyventure Utah.

Let's keep the conversations on SkyventureXP updates going in this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2693127;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed; Arrive Safely John

The V3/Sigma reserve pin is not really curved. The functional part of the pin (the blade) is straight. The upper portion of the pin curves slightly as it moves toward the ring portion where the RSL lanyard is attached. There's a good picture of it on page 35 of the manual here: http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/PDF/Support/Manual/09354(V3_Manual).pdf Arrive Safely John

Are you talking about a bag lock or a container lock (PC in tow)? Arrive Safely John

The original line set is manufactured and installed with very specific lengths and tolerances, appropriate to each line group (a/b/c/d/steering), ideally applied to that particular canopy through design and testing. Through normal use a lineset not only wears, but those specific line lengths can fall outside the manufacturers tolerance. Most times that happens unevenly (happens to some lines and not others). This can significantly affect the way the canopy opens, flies, and lands. When you replace a linestet on a canopy, it brings it back to the original manufacturers specifications and tolerances. It will then virtually fly like new - vaguely similar to putting four new tires on your car and having it aligned. Arrive Safely John

Already posted earlier in the thread: http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=5619&string=quasar Arrive Safely John

Please keep this thread on topic . . . hijacking a thread with Bonfire-esque one liner jokes is not appropriate here. Thanks. Arrive Safely John

There's already a remembrance thread in the Condolences Forum: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2774373;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed; Let's keep that thread going. Thanks. Arrive Safely John

From a short range movement free fall time standpoint, you can logically equate tunnel time to jump numbers (although I am not the one to give you the best estimate). Bear in mind that tunnel time does NOT allow a skydiver to train on exits, lateral movement such as tracking, or canopy flight. Arrive Safely John

To everyone: I just spent a great deal of time and effort removing PAs from this thread. I did that instead of removing it because I see this as a valuable conversation. To Mozencrath: I am in agreement that you are grossly under-informed regarding the FARs and Rigger supervision. I highly recommend you spend some time reading the references provided in this thread and comply with them, especially if you are going to discuss your practices in a public forum. Also, I offer some friendly advice: to a degree you represent your DZ here in the forums if it is known you are on staff there. I suggest you think before you post. To both Stratostar and Mozencrath: the Forum Rules specifically prohibit personal attacks in these forums. Please refrain from trading PAs in the forums - take your pissing contest to PMs and control your emotions when you post. To Booster_MPS: please don't hijack threads with "related questions." Please start a new post and feel free to refer to or link to the original thread in your spinoff. To everyone (again): please be careful about judging a DZ's entire operation based on a small list of facts related to one incident, and especially doing so in a public forum. I am unlocking the thread so this conversation can continue. I spent a lot of time on this one thread, so please keep it on track and free of PAs. I won't do it twice. Arrive Safely John

Read the SB posted above: Arrive Safely John