marinho

A few things to think about it! 1 - Skydivers don't normally check their gear. 2 - If they do, normally they don't know what to check. 3 - If something is wrong, it'll take 6 months or a year to be found and repaired. 4 - We'll have AAD issues that skydivers will not like. 5 - We'll have more riggers with less experience on the field. 6 - The majority of repairs needed are found during the simple but effective inspection prior to the packing process. So, just speculating here, but due to the lack of knowledge rigging wise to the common skydiver most won't know if a repair is needed until they bring it in to be packed, so this will raise the cost of all rigging services. Here is my opinion as a parachute rigger that works full time performing rigging services: I've seen so many problems on sport and pilot rigs that could create a safety problem. We are the official rigging services for the WFFC, also been in many events like Dublin, Bridge Day, Harvest Moon Boogie, Cinco de Mayo, and on and on! Plus the customers that send their gear to us every week. We are also speakers for safety seminars in different drop zones and glider and aviation places. So what I'm trying to say is that we have a chance to see all kinds of weird things that make me very concerned. I'm not against the reserve repack cycle time frame, but I'm concerned for the safety of my fellow skydivers. The most important part is not the reserve repacks, it's the inspection!! Cheers, Gus Marinho

just my opinion, and you know about opinions, they are like assholes, everyone has one! I hear you man, 100% agreed! Opinion by definition is a belief or judgement not necessarily based on fact or knowledge! Please, psssss, some people don't like to hear other people opinions!!!! Gus Marinho

What about a skydiver that connected the key chain on the 3-rings system so he coudn't loose it in freefall! Cheers, Gus Marinho

I'm with you Pablito! Educate this person is the smart thing to do! Here are 2 things I want to share with you guys. A battery car you can see, but these: 1-A skydiver had his cypres batteries replaced and left the old batteries in the gear bag... 2-Another skydiver ate a banana and left the banana skin in the gear bag... Cheers, Gus Marinho

You got the answer from Mark!!! You use hot knife when you don't need the old binding tape! Seam ripper - Unpick the first 3 stitches and then every other 3 to 4 on the direction you are going to remove the binding. Then just pull the opposite side thread. This method is for keeping the old binding! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Excellent post!! That's pretty much all the instructions. Just one more thing, binding is not only about corners! A bad binding work can make things look really ugly and brake apart! Things to learn about binding: -Both needles catching fabric! -Right tension! -Right number of stitches per inch! -Learn both ways to remove binding: a) With hot knife b) With seam ripper -Learn to use/order the right tape: Here is the specs that I use - tape type III, 3/4" "R" nylon tape MIL-T-5038H - And finally, as I said before, watch people binding stuff. My personnal opinion, corners are the easiest! Practice making some small bags that need corners. Make bags to put your rigging tools on it! Logbook covers are also a great training! ----------------------------------------------------------- Hey Jerry, are you ready for some moon shine??? Cheers, Gus Marinho

The needles actually are all the way up out of the fabric! Here we go, good job! You just said how is done! Now, if you were in our shop, I'd put you make some BOC pouchs! Gus Marinho

Hi, Do you have a chance to go to a rigging loft that has double needle machines with binding attachment? Well, try to find one. Binding is all about practice. I'm pretty sure will hear all kind of techniques here, but I suggest to you personally watch how is done! Actually, try to spend some time on a rigging loft to learn not only binding techniques. There are a lot of more stuff to learn that it will make you feel good about it. I hope this helps! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Maybe this document can help! Cheers, Gus Marinho

It was my first reserve experience when I had about 150 jumps! Let me tell, when I released the brakes, I thought I lost the brake lines! Landing? That's ugly!!!! The swift was designed on the time that the most important thing is to have an opened reserve canopy over your head to save your life! Landing was just a simple detail, who cares right??!!! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Agreed!!! Let me just explain my reaction for this post! As a FAA Parachute Rigger, since the beggining of my rigging career, I was instructed to follow this procedure: - Have a question - Contact the manufacturer! - Don't have a manual - Contact the manufacturer! - Concerns? - Contact the manufacturer! - SBs - Contact the manufacturer! And finally, you are not in charge to make mods or anything that's not approved by the manufacturer. I think this is the most simple dutie a rigger has! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi, Thanks for posting the service bulletin. It's very instructional! The only problem is that this service bulletin "does not apply" for any sun path container! I contacted Sun Path and they confirmed that there are no problems related to this issue. Actually, Sun Path also said that they sent a DVD with instructions, that it will be available on their web site soon, to the people that performed that bench test. Only Sun Path has the authority to issue any service bulletin for their products. Unfortunately, people and associations overseas can "issue" service bulletins without the manufacturer's permission. I agree and disagree with that, but hey that's not my problem! Just to end this issue: "There are no service bulletins issued by Sun Path related to poor reserve pilot chute launch". Cheers, Gus Marinho

Good job and thanks for bringing up your concerns! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi, Very simple! have your local rigger replace the chest strap for a longer one, abour 5" longer! All he needs is a piece of type 17, a single needle and a zigzag machine. We perform this work quite often here and the cost can be around $45. I'm pretty sure you have articulated rings on your chest so it's very simple. I hope this helps! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi, Just contact the manufacturer and tell them your concerns! I never saw a problem like you mentioned on any javelin so far. We don't need to go through all the specs, poor rigging, test standards and any thing that can contribute to make this problem happen because we'll be talking forever by the fact of a huge diversity of opinions that will pop up on this forum. Just be careful when posting things like this because a lot of people will think that their javelins have some kind of problem and let me tell you, that's not cool! Peace and cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Raistlin, Congratulations! What a big step!!!! Here are a few recommendations for you: -Be professional(also means always looking for more knowledge) -Always use the word "I recommend" -Never say bad things about other riggers(unless you are face to face) -And finally, love what you do! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Mike, Last time I had problems with my FT-50, I sent it to France. It broke again and I decided to buy an Alti-2. It's easier to send the altimeter to Florida than France, plus the people from Alti-2 are amazing. I hope this helps. Cheers! Gus Marinho

Hi, Look for a para-gear catalog and I think the PIA web site. They have a list of packing volumes for several canopies. Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi, Just contact the manufacturer, but if I'm not wrong, your rig has the curve on the cutaway housing because the skyhook system. It's used for the collin's lanyard loop. The reason you think it's unconfortable is because you're trying to push back toward you. Leave the housing the way it is and don't tack. The housing is supposed to stay on that position. Just check out the relative workshop for more details! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Mike, Thanks for the update on As/Bs on a hard front riser turn/dive! I always thought that it was possible, but I never heard about it! Thanks again for let me learn something today! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Velo90, Here is what I say to my customers when they make the same question you're making: A,B,C,D lines can brake, as far as I know, on openings only, but the brake lines can brake at anytime(opening/sharp turn/flare)! Also ask a rigger to inspect the slider and the brake line guide ring on your riser. Stainless steel are the best. I hope this helps you! Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Steven, I'd like to invite you to come over to our shop. We are located in Chester, SC. It would be a pleasure to help you out and make new friends. Our rigging facilities can handle any kind of repair and also any kind of manufacturing. It could be a great opportunity for us to learn from each other. Cheers, Gus Marinho

I know Jeff Wragg!!!! Cheers, Gus Marinho

*** To separate the wheat from the chaff. I'm not saying that all riggers always give great advice or correct answers, but here on DZ.com there is way too much advice given by people with zero qualifications, and people reading the forum are often not in a position to know who is credible and who is not. I enjoy a good technical debate with technically qualified people, and it doesn't (particularly) bother me to be wrong. Agreed 100%!!!! I love the idea of let anyone read, but not post, if you don't have any rigger certificate. I think the forum should involve somehow all the manufacturers. This will help our rigging community to get answers quick and right on the first time, regardeless if you agree or not. Cheers, Gus Marinho

Hi Jerry, Thank you for all this professional info. It's definitely very educational to read your post. Any time you come to the Carolinas, please stop by at our shop. It'll be a pleasure to have a beer with you! Cheers,(clapping my hands) Gus Marinho