Ron

It does not matter, I can pull the reserve any time I feel like it. You seem to think you have to wait for the AAD and therefore you want to make it fire higher. The AAD is a back up not part of your procedures. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Fair, but: 1. I thought it was pretty clear that we were not discussing students here. 2. Most pilots I have talked to do not want *anyone* floating with an engine out in an emergency exit. 3. I have been with an AFF with an engine out. The AFF I's had her do a solo exit. I'd do the same, I can catch a student from 11k "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I can't think of a single case where a floating exit is better than a diving exit in an emergency.... Not one. Anyone? And if stop in the middle of an *emergency* exit to decide what to do and you are in front of me... You are either going to get run over or pushed out. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I was afraid that might happen. Glide path/Flight Concepts anyone???? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, Bill was too busy training 727 exits for November 24, 1971 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No, sense. It works on PRESSURE... Period. The vigil claims to use some math, but clearly that is not 100% true since you never left the plane and it will fire due to the PRESSURE change if a door opens. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

We already sent McGowan...... I kid, he is too big to piss off. The fact is that there have been tests done, PLUS real world examples. So far it seems to be a crap shoot what happens. There is no clear 'best' answer. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I know... I was just messing with ya on the paperweight thing. Right now... They are paperweights/doorstops since they cannot be used as they were intended. Although expensive ones. My only real point was my displeasure at how Argus is handling this. They could do a much better job of being honest. My *opinion*. They should publish a letter saying: "Argus is working on a new cutter design and EVERY owner will get this new cutter for free. We apologize for the issues caused. The current design passed all test standards applicable to (Blah, blah, blah) but unforeseen issues have created a situation that demands that we redesign the cutter. We are working on the new design already, and a new design will take some time to develop, test, and distribute. We are working on getting your Argus back the standard we expect from ourselves." So far, they have said nothing that I have seen and too be honest it may be too late now that the tiger is out of the cage. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Time: No Attitude: Yes "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I'd like to see people learn to fly a landing stack.... Demo teams are able to land 20 people (most I ever did was 18) on a one foot target and not a single collision happened. We did this by deciding BEFORE we got on the plane who should land in what order. We decided this based on wingload and pull altitude. Basically, if you have a high WL... Don't try to land last, and if you have a low WL don't try to land first. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

How about "currently an expensive doorstop"??? Until we know how this will turn out, they are not usable for their intended purpose. If the company fixes the problem, then it moves back to a viable AAD (The end user has to decide how viable). But I have seen company's fold over less than this. I must say that Argus is not handling the situation very well.... They should take a page from the Tylenol (Johnson & Johnson) playbook from 1982. If they were open and honest, they would get a much better reception. Staying quiet hurts the public image. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Not true. 1-1.4: Qualification Requirements A. To compete at a U.S. National Skydiving Championships and be eligible for nationals medals, competitors must— 1. Be a U.S. citizen or comply with paragraph B below ...... B. Competitors who are not U.S. citizens must possess a Resident Alien Card U.S. INS Card I-551, or an I-551 temporary stamp in their passport. But for the purpose of State records it could be really simple.... Ask to see a drivers license. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

If I live in Buffalo, NY would that qualify me for the Canadian Nationals? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Thanks for posting.... Get a group of people that you trust and know you. My favorite was I was sitting with a bunch of folks and a bunch of them were talking about the great deal one of the guys just got on a new main. 150 ZP 500 bucks. I asked the name and they guy could not recall, but said he had not heard about it before. I asked, "Nova"? And he said yes. I told him to not jump that canopy. Some research will show that it was a canopy with a bad reputation for just folding up in turbulence. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Argus could as well. You pull lowish and it fires, but does not cut the cable all the way. You get on the next load and all the moving around rips the closing loop. or worse you climb out and the reserve fires. Both have the potential. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maybe, but I'd bet the argus manual does not tell the user to check to see if the cutter *almost* cut the reserve. The fact is back in the day AADs were not used because the risks and hassle was more than the average jumper would accept. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

IDK... Not my quote "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

+1 If it were a real issue we would see more firings. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I would not say no one.... I would say most. Some people had talked about it before, but most had no clue. Even those that talked about it, most of them thought it unlikely. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I think you misunderstood. Both the vigil and CYPRES issues were due to them firing *when conditions were met*. You may not like those conditions, but they were met. Therefore they are not malfunctions. The Argus fired and didn't cut the loop. That is a malfunction. Two worked as intended (even if you don't like the intention), one just failed to work. That is you not liking the parameter.... That does not mean it was a malfunction. The company that makes Vigil has even stated that it firing in that situation is not a malfunction. If I buy a car and the manufactor tells me that if a kid opens the back window the e-brake will lock up.... Well when it happens it is not a mal, but rather a feature that you may not like. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Only you can answer that..... With a Dolphin (IIRC) the cutter is in the bottom of the container. So the chance of a partial fire locking the container is nil (If I remember the Dolphin correctly). But DAMN that would suck.... Your AAD locking your PC and not being able to get a launch. So as long as you check the AAD to see if it has fired after you land from each jump..... You should be fine. But like always you should expect the AAD not to work and plan accordingly. Personally.... I have the money so I'd buy something else. Edit: The question is mute if this happens http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4084058;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread And if I owned a HC company, I'd ground them till there is a fix as well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

No one is forgetting the swooping accident. The thing is that was not an error *in the system*... It operated within it's parameters, period. It is not the fault of the CYPRES unit that the operational parameters were met AFTER the parachute was opened. The Vigil did the same thing (fired when parameters were met). You may not LIKE the parameters, but that is different than a malfunction of this type. So you could lump the Vigil and the CYPRES into the "I don't like the parameters that it works" And that would be fine. But the Argus is creating a situation where it does not work properly. Worse, in some rigs it locks the reserve closed. I didn't buy a Vigil based on the door issues. I didn't buy an Argus based on the groundings in Europe. I don't fly a 69sqft canopy anymore so I could easily live within the parameters of the CYPRES... so I bought a CYPRES. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It is not misdirection. You want to fly only during the day with one pax? Get a sport license. You want to fly at night or with 3 or more people? Get the full ticket. Half of my PRO jumps were at night, and a D is needed for the PRO. Take that up with the Manufacturer. They require the "D". And a 'sport pilot' is not allowed to fly at night due to the danger.... A Tandem Instructor is not a 'sport jumper' Never claimed that... although I will mention I have done a sunset jump that DID turn into a night jump. I gave a night jump briefing on the load, reorganized the groups, and told anyone that didn't want to jump they should ride the plane down and the will not get charged for the flight. I landed near a light and it was pitch dark. Show me one DZ that will let you do it without the training. AND you must have a "B" or higher equivalent: From the SIM: 3. Every skydiver, regardless of experience, should participate in night-jump training to learn or review: a. techniques of avoiding disorientation b. use of identification light, lighted instruments, and flashlight c. target lighting d. ground-to-air communications e. reserve activation 1. Skydivers participating in night jumping should meet all the requirements for a USPA B or higher license. 2. Participants should complete a comprehensive briefing and drill immediately prior to the intended night jump. Water training is to prevent a safety hazard that could happen on jump #1 And according to the SIM: 3. The purpose of wet training (required for the USPA B license) is to expose the individual to a worst-case scenario in a controlled situation. 1. Any person intending to make an intentional water landing should: a. undergo preparatory training within 60 days of the water jump So training is required. I have not said that at all. I have said if you want the privileges of a "D" then you should earn a "D". For most 'sport skydivers' you can jump all your life with a "C".... Hell, my wife has 1200 jumps and only a "B". I think the "D" should also include a cutaway. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, the argus is a clear failure.. It didnt cut the loop. The vigil operated within it's parameters... You may disagree with the parameter (as do I), but the door opening created a pressure change that fooled the unit. So one failed to fire, the other was tricked into firing... A CYPRES will 'misfire' if you pull low too. You may disagree with that parameter as well. Don't get me wrong, I only recommend the CYPRES (and have gotten TONS of flack on here for that). But these two cases are the difference between a unit not firing (and thereby locking the container) and an operations parameter that is within the units programming that some people (me included) do not like. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

So the "C" is a 'sport license' in skydiving. Both have limitations. If you do not want the limitations, you do the required things to get the other rating. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334