chutingstar

It just needs a little bulk management, but is really not that bad. You could ask him to do it again and follow some of the tips on Mirage's web site or my web site. But I would let him do it without the distraction of you watching. Let him get the job done without the added pressure and distraction of you watching over his shoulder. Mike ChutingStar.com

I could be wrong...but I don't think you have to pay to be listed as a rigger. Your only have to pay if you want to have advertising on the pages. Mike ChutingStar.com

I've been told two more weeks... Mike ChutingStar.com

I advise all my customers to photocopy their packing data card and keep that copy in a filing cabinet or safe at home for this type of thing as well. Mike ChutingStar.com

How many Twin Otters are being used for skydiving in the US that are owned by you? ChutingStar.com

The paperwork with the order of Reserve Slinks I received a few weeks ago list PD reserves 99-281. Also the reference to the "Tandem main with 6 grommet slider only" has been removed from the current paperwork include with each set. Mike ChutingStar.com

Ah...here's the info from the newsletter that I just dug up from November 2007...haven't had a request for them and haven't used them myself, but used to do this to risers "back in the day." Mike ChutingStar.com

Hopefully the recent incident and this bulletin will kickstart a change where more skydivers pay attention closely during the Cypres countdown process. Mike ChutingStar.com

From this bulletin and the manual, a 'bad' CYPRES would be one you couldn't get to turn on (and then off, if you wanted it off). A 'good' CYPRES with a blank screen would be one that you could turn on and then off. And this is if you're trying to determine if a CYPRES is 'good' with a blank screen. Mike ChutingStar.com

You're not crazy...well at least not in regards to this. I received it in an e-mail from Airtec. I was going to link to the .pdf file on their site when I made the original post, but it's not there yet. I would imagine it will be posted under technical bulletins on the following page sometime soon: http://cypres.cc/Sites/englisch/Frameset_engl_MY_CYPRES.htm Mike ChutingStar.com

http://www.dj-associates.com/ ChutingStar.com

FYI: Just Released from Airtec. Service Bulletin January 2008 Issue date: 22.01.2008 Bulletin number: C1/2 0108 Subject: Neccessary actions in case of an unsuccessful or incomplete selftest, Cypres1 and Cypres2. Status: mandatory Identification: All Cypres1 and Cypres2 units, all versions, in case of unsuccessful or incomplete selftest and/or switch-on procedure. Background: On the 29th of December 2007 in Eloy, AZ, USA a Cypres2 unit activated a few seconds after exit. The Cypres showed problems with the switch-on several times the days before. An attempt to switch on the unit before the skydive was made, and nothing was seen on the display, but it was decided to use the parachute anyway. Fortunately there were no injuries. The technical inspection in Germany showed that this incident was a result of several factors. A very abnormal power supply defect (transient battery voltage before failure) in combination with a specific flight situation made this activation possible. After days of reconstructing and testing, we judge this as a very unique scenario. We tested a very high number of batteries in our house without any findings. There are no reports of similar cases. Service Bulletin: Please always observe the complete selftest until the „0“ appears. In the event an error code is displayed, please consult the appropriate CYPRES User's Guide for appropriate action(s). In the event that there are any irregularities or conditions during the selftest and/or switch-on procedure, which are not explained in the CYPRES User's Guide (such as unknown error codes or numbers, missing numbers, no red light, blank display, etc.) – please contact Airtec or SSK before the next jump. Compliance date: Effective immediately. Authority: Airtec GmbH & Co. KG Kai Koerner Tel: +49 2953 989948 Fax:+49 2953 1293 kai@cypres.cc Mittelstrasse 69 33181 Bad Wuennenberg Germany Distribution: All dealers Parachuting publications Parachute Industry Association ChutingStar.com

I packed a 143 Optimum in a MT yesterday...and it fits great. I've done a 126 Optimum in an MX and a 113 Optimum into a MXS-1. I wouldn't recommend trying to fit a 143 Optimum into an MX...save yourself the pain and probable defeat. Just go with the 126. Mike ChutingStar.com

Awww...you're giving up on slamming my view way too easy. ChutingStar.com

Most of my jumps are video or AFF (with video) these days. And yes, ejecting the helmet is an option. I was trying to explain that I believe Skyhooks/RSLs aren't necessarily an issue for camera jumps because removing the snag (which may involve the whole helmet) is the issue...most likely done before cutaway. Although a snag during cutaway is also possible, which does bring RSL/Skyhooks into the mix in possibly a negative manner...but weighing the possibilities, I'm still quite comfortable jumping my Skyhook-equipped rig when doing video. Mike ChutingStar.com

My camera sight caught a main steering line hanging outside of a CRW jumper's rig upon exit. He held onto the plane as felt the pull from his back and I felt my head getting stretched toward the plane in freefall until SNAP and the sight broke off. The steering line sawed through his reserve container and my neck was sore. But we both survived. Not exactly the same situation as a part of your own canopy, but I would think the part snagged would either break off or the helmet would come off your head (if possible) or your body would get broken. Or you could be hanging from your main by your helmet...and either cut the snag or eject the helmet with enough time to deploy your reserve before hitting the ground. Mike ChutingStar.com

I've been wearing, measuring and selling Bev suits for more than 10 years. Very rare to have a fit issue with Bev suits. Very few quality issues. Owned one Flite Suit and one Tony Suit as well. Both fit and worked well for several years. One of the nicest RW suits out there is from ParaSport Italia. But it's also the most expensive. You would be happy with any of those as long as you are measured by someone very familiar with the measurement guide and knows what type of material would be best for your weight, height and type of jumping you do. Mike ChutingStar.com

I have a Skyhook on my Vector3 and have no issue wearing it when doing camera jumps. I also have one reserve ride that was skyhook deployed from a cutaway during spinning line twists under a Velocity. And I don't buy the "caught on camera gear" argument for not having RSLs or Skyhooks. It won't matter if you have do or don't have an RSL or Skyhook if you cutaway a canopy that has some part of it partially wrapped around your helmet or camera gear. You've got bigger issues than whether or not the RSL/Skyhook deploys your reserve as you cutaway a main that is snagged on your helmet. You may spend the rest of your life trying to get that snag undone or cut off. It may be better to have as much material above your head when trying to deal with some type of snagged material, line or riser. Mike ChutingStar.com

I prefer closing Dolphins per the original closing sequence. I've found that with a 2" closing loop (pre-stretched), large ears for bulk up-top and the excess pilot chute material wedged between the upper side flaps and the top of the reserve pilot chute, that the rigs close nicely. I wrote an article on closing the Dolphin in the February 2004 issue of Skydiving Magazine...and had most of that info on my Rigger Rant & Rave...but that part of my site is being redesigned right now...so I can't just link to the article. I'll try to get that back up soon, which may explain this better. I've found that you can really nestle the Dolphin reserve pilot chute into the reserve pack job and it won't leave any snag points. When I do see issues with closed Dolphin reserve containers, it seems usually to be with the length of the closing loop, not enough bulk in the ears or the pilot chute material under the upper side flaps or freebag. Mike ChutingStar.com

Hey Marquis, Yes, if you can find a full-used setup that has a harness that fits you appropriately and has the size of canopies you need/want, then all used is a perfect option at any time. But factors such as harness size, container size, wear/tear, price, age and the like can sometimes make used a tough find for certain body & canopy sizes. Usually the next step is a combination of used/new with the first recommendation a new container to get the correct fit and security of new gear/technology. A new rig like Billy's Wings can then be outfitted with used canopies and AAD to save a bit of money. It's usually much easier to find a good used canopy because there are less "options" between, lets say Spectre 230s, than there are between Wings containers that would fit Spectre 230s...if that makes sense. Anywho, for whatever that's worth, that's what Billy is doing. He couldn't find a complete used rig that fit or had the right sized canopies or that was in acceptable condition. So he's starting with a new container and is now looking for used canopies and AAD to go in it. Mike ChutingStar.com

Thanks Parrish. My main thing for the last several years, the Rigger Rant & Rave, is still being reconstructed. But hopefully over the next few days the archive of past articles will be up and I'll be posting new rigging/skydiving articles with the new blog format. Mike ChutingStar.com

I was never ever able to get mine to record without an earthquake-like result. I ended up selling for half what I paid for it to someone who was only using for home video recording. Mike ChutingStar.com

Thanks Doug! Your rig came out great...locals here who saw it before it was shipped out were jealous. Let me know what you think of everything after making a couple of jumps on it. Take care, Mike ChutingStar.com

Just an FYI and update...talked with Bill Dause and he says he is no longer making replacement parts for the Eclipse systems. He says Vector replacement freebags and reserve pilot chutes are acceptable. He also recommended contacting Jumpshack for replacement reserve ripcords. So there you go Eclipse owners. Mike ChutingStar.com

I just started working on an Eclipse rig that was dropped off over the weekend...and just discovered it has a RWS "small" freebag and RWS reserve pilot chute in this Eclipse "A" rig. Did I miss something...has this become acceptable with Eclipse now out of business? I thought replacement parts were still available? Or was there an agreement at some point with RWS/UPT to supply replacement parts? Anyone? Thanks for any info you have... Mike ChutingStar.com