chutingstar

Yes, they are coming in to dealers very slowly right now, but all units are just filling prior orders at this time...extra stock and/or orders placed today are estimated at 8 weeks out. Mike ChutingStar.com

I'm talking about wrinkles to either side of the main pack tray, along the seams. Looks like your descriptions are mostly around wrinkles in the reserve area, or am I misreading your post? I'll need to post some pictures of the rig... It sounds like your main risers are stacked on top of each other along the sides of the reserve container. If you stagger the main risers so they lay flatter along the sides it will help. Also make sure the secondary riser covers are fully seated and the closing loop is the appropriate length on the main container. It sounds like the risers and main container just need a little reshaping by hand to put everything in the right position. Once you do that a couple of times, it'll start coming together better every time you close the container. A little finesse sound like all it needs. A rigger or someone who owns a Mirage at your DZ should be able to help you with some hands-on experience. Mike ChutingStar.com

It's available on their web site. Here's the link: http://www.flyaerodyne.com/download/triathlonlinetrim.pdf Mike ChutingStar.com

The Mirage list does need a little rework and updating...but it's a good start. A Tempo 210 and PR-193 will fit in a G3 M5. They aren't a "comfortable fit," but I would just clasify them as "snug." A Tempo 170 is not snug...more Medium to loose in a G3 M5. I don't have enough experience with the other brands in that size of Mirage to give you any true guidance. And just to claify, there isn't a Tempo 190...just a Tempo 170 then 210. Mike ChutingStar.com

And after looking through all my records, all three of those Cypres2 units were sent to Airtec, according to SSK. So I take that the initial Cypres2 servicing is actually being done at Airtec, hence the longer turnaround times. Mike ChutingStar.com

It's actually taking a little longer for the Cypres2 service (at least up to this point). I've sent in 3 Cypres2 units over the last 6 months. The first one took 28 days, the second was 27 days and the third was 36 days. Meanwhile, my original Cypres shipments over that same timeframe, of which there were 17, all were 14 days exactly. SSK has told me that the initial Cypres2 servicing is taking longer, but they hope to bring that down to 14 days in the near future. Just wanted you to know that Cypres2 service is definitely longer right now. Mike ChutingStar.com

Damn, that hit close to home.... Love where I am now for sure. And I see all of my same arguments I would have made 3 years ago in this thread from the Pell City jumpers. But how things change when you finally see what's on the outside. Mike ChutingStar.com

I think this has been posted somewhere, but I can't find it in this thread. Attached is the comparison sheet between the Vigil and Vigil II. The units haven't started shipping in the U.S. yet. Hopefully within the next week... Mike ChutingStar.com

Here's a link to their site that shows the difference in the two lens styles. http://www.skysystemsusa.com/accessories/lenses.html Mike ChutingStar.com

Besides recommendations you'll get from posting here, there are a few areas to look: http://rigminder.net/locaterigger.asp http://www.dropzone.com/links/Gear/Rigging_Lofts/index.html http://www.uspa.org/dz/states/TX.htm Mike ChutingStar.com

They make a tinted lens. Mike ChutingStar.com

http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=13003271 This is now in the BBB report: Government Actions On May 10, 2007 the State of Georgia through Joseph P. Doyle, Administrator of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, ("Administrator") by and through Thurbert E. Baker, Attorney General for the State of Georgia filed a complaint for injunctive relief, civil penalties, and restitution with the Superior Court of Fulton County, State of Georgia against Cary V. Quattrocchi, Benny W. Butler, USSO, LLC and Atlanta SC, Inc. (Defendants) alleging violations of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act of 1975. The complaint filed by the Administrator alleges in part that: Cary V. Quattrocchi and Benny W. Butler own and operate USSO, LLC and Atlanta SC, Inc. Cary V. Quattrocchi, Benny W. Butler, USSO, LLC and Atlanta SC, Inc. maintain and operate more than 900 web sites including but not limited to: www.1-800-SkyRide.com and www.ThrillPlanet.com through which they advertise "booking" services. Booking agents and reservationists for www.1-800-SkyRide.com and www.ThrillPlanet.com represent to the public that they book appointments and sell gift certificates for extreme outdoor adventures including sky diving, hot air ballooning, race car driving, river rafting, and assorted other sporting adventures. The Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs received 62 consumer complaints regarding the Defendants. The majority of the complaints allege failure to provide services after receiving full payment from consumers, failure to provide gift certificates after receiving payment in full, or consumers being unable to redeem the purchased gift certificates. Specifically, the Defendants received payment and made reservations for sky diving, ballooning and other sporting services without knowing whether the appointed times or sky diving centers that consumers requested -and believed they were being booked for- were open or available. Additionally, consumers were promised certain appointment times, locations or dates without fulfillment, while other consumers would arrive at the diving facility only to discover that the facility had not received booking requests or payment for those services on behalf of the consumer, or that the location where the appointment was booked was not convenient or nearby as represented. Prior to purchasing gift certificates, consumers inquired into the locations where the certificates could be redeemed. Representatives falsely assured the consumers that the gift certificates were redeemable at numerous locations convenient to the consumer. Additionally, the web sites misrepresented affiliation with certain companies and the number of locations where customers could redeem their gift certificates. As a result, consumers were unable to timely redeem their gift certificates because they where unable to find convenient or nearby locations as represented. When consumers requested refunds for the unused services, undelivered gift certificates, or non-redeemable gift certificates, the Defendants fabricated various reasons for denying the consumers refund requests, including that the consumer had not paid "refund fees," inclement weather policies, unexpected facility closings, the unavailability of dive instructors, the lack of responsibility for the practices or operations of independently-owned diving centers, and lack of responsibility for failed mail delivery. Defendants falsely represented to consumers that their facilities were certified, affiliated, or approved by the United States Parachute Association ("USPA") and that some of their instructors or employees were also certified by the USPA. After reviewing the consumer complaints and conducting a thorough investigation, the Administrator served upon the Defendants a "Notice of Contemplated Legal Action" as required. The Administrator's efforts to resolve the allegations against Defendants by having them enter into an assurance of voluntary compliance have not been successful. The State of Georgia (through the Administrator) is seeking injunctive relief, monetary relief by way of penalties, and restitution to persons adversely affected by the Defendants' actions. The complaint has been filed with the court and is a matter of public record however, the case has not yet come to trial. ChutingStar.com

Man...all those phone calls...desperation because you said Mike G. never filled out a packing data card for your new Javelin and you were headed to this big boogie...and then I have to talk you through where your data card is on a Javelin...and it's there...and then you get there and can't jump anyway because of weather??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Don't forget the jump you owe me...and lots of Guinness. Mike ChutingStar.com

There are some GQ manuals at this link: http://www.parachutemanuals.com/Bail%20Out%20rigs/ Mike ChutingStar.com

Right...that's it. Mike ChutingStar.com

WTF? Tyler, you kill me..have a great night...see ya soon. Mike ChutingStar.com

Jack Sheehy is most definitely mobile and doing most of the rigging at Skydive Atlanta. Mike ChutingStar.com

Candace at Vigil USA has told me to expect the Vigil II units in dealers hands by July 30. I think the first batch is shipping from Belgium to Vigil USA July 16...shipping time from there...order fulfillment in DeLand and shipping time to dealers, etc. So late July or early August is a safe bet if all goes as planned... Mike ChutingStar.com

To answer your question... Of that old staff list, the only person working fulltime at the "Skydive Birmingham" is Rob Morris. The others that still work at their "sister" Atlanta drop zone from that list are: Anne Kohaut, Eddie Grantland, John Jordan, Jessica Edgington, Chuck Owen, Mark Kalupa, Tatyana and Vitali. Mike ChutingStar.com

Just an FYI...An investigative story on Skyride was just broadcast a few minutes ago on Fox5 news in Atlanta. Disgruntled balloon customer as well as the Balloon Federation stating they did not let Skyride renew its membership. Link to story: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=3481635&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1 Mike ChutingStar.com

I have no idea.. Depends on the construction.. There are two ways of optical image stabilization that I know of, one is compensating movements using the sensor and the other is my moving the optics. Depending on whats used on the HV10, this movement needs to be restricted and fixed permanently (thats where the super glue comes in) This is just a quick idea though, whether it will work I have no idea.. I'm sure there are people in here far more knowledgeable then me on this subject.. Even if you manage to disable the OIS, this may not fix the problems. Yeah...I just found a used PC120 to replace the one that got dropped in the pond, so I'm just going to sell the HV10. I had the same issue as everyone else...it looks like an earthquake in freefall no matter what settings I used. It also had a horrible shake when you are just walking around as well. Mike ChutingStar.com

Me...where do I put the super glue? Mike ChutingStar.com

so you clearly will refund $25 if your client has a malfunction on day 45 The cost of the inspection/repack can not based on how long it's good for. It's based on what the rigger's time is worth during the inspection/repack. If it lasts one day (reserve ride) or 1 year, it's still based on the time, material and labor it takes to do the work. The arbitrary time limit on a packed reserve means nothing to me except to inform the jumper or pilot when they are required by federal regulations to have it inspected/repacked again. I'm all for the 180-day cycle, and even better would be PD's proposed 1-year cycle. When it comes down to it, it's all about how well the owner takes care of their gear. The owner can make it unairworthy after 1 jump or it can come back to you after a couple of years in perfect condition. Educating the jumpers/pilots of interim inspections of their gear between required inspection/repacks is key. Also, I don't believe any riggers have 100% of their customers bringing back their rigs on the 120-day cycle anyway. Be it the weather, life, money, time of boogies, etc., I probably see only 50% of my customers on a 120-day cycle. The rest are seasonal, or they stop jumping and sell their gear, or they are away when it comes due and see another rigger. I don't believe the 180-day cycle is going to affect the general workload of riggers...there already seems to be a shortage of riggers who really want the work. I think I've rambled enough...needless to say (but I will anyway), I won't be raising/dropping my prices based on if the 180-day cycle is approved. But I will continuing raising/dropping prices dependent on what I determine my time, materials and labor are worth. Over the past 10+ years, I've raised/dropped certain prices about every other year. You aren't going to get rich rigging, but you should be compensated appropriately for the service you provide...and forget about the change in the cycle. If you want to increase your rigging work during the change, just concentrate on doing an even better overall job to your customer's gear so they'll always come back and recommend all their friends to use you as well. Done... Mike ChutingStar.com

Have seen this also done on Strong Tandem toggles too...and maybe a couple of others, but can't think of them right now. Yes, the toggle should not be tucked under the velcro. Mike ChutingStar.com

It's $160 for the service (minimum two weeks at SSK), $75 for new battery, $50 for shipping (there and back via FedEx or UPS with $1300 insurance). You can definitely ship it there yourself, turnaround time is the same, but usually jumpers use their personal riggers to take the unit out, ship it and then reinstall/repack their reserve. Cost will be about the same through all U.S. riggers. Mike ChutingStar.com