Unstable

Vector! No, Odyssey! No, Racer! No, Mirage! In any modern rig, you're going to get superior pin protection, superior ergonomics, and a good safe rig that will last you a long time. I think it's an issue of personal preferance. There are things to like and not to like about each of the rigs out there on the market. Personally, I choose to jump the Racer 2K3, but really you can't go wrong with any of the rigs on the market these days. Just my .02. =========Shaun ==========

I've seen a number of Master riggers and Even DPRE's that reline canopies bartacing with a 304 stitch followed by the 301. I watched a gentleman reline a SET-360 on a 20u with fantastic results, very professional. I must say, I'm not quite that practiced with my 20u as of yet. I've also relined a canopy using a Giant Pfaff 42 stitch bartac machine ~ easiest thing in the world to use, I wish I had one. I know that the bartac machine is controlled with a center cam which is replaced for the various types of stitching used. Very expensive to replace and if worn, nearly impossible to repair. I guess I am also not seeing the need for a 308 stitch ~ maybe some of the older folks can help, but isn't that stitch pretty limited to round canopies and military applications? =========Shaun ==========

I have 2 very nice 20u's, and I would generally recommend against them unless you're doing very general work. I have both a 20u33 and 20u73, both with the metal cams. I kind of feel like it's a 'one machine that does it all at the B- Level'. I can get a REALLY good straight stich, if I put in the straight stitch feed dog, plate, and retune. I can get a really good Zig-zag, if I put in the correct feed dog, plate, and retune. I guess I feel like it would be better to have a better machine or perhaps one machine for each function if it does it really well. I know there are a lot of very respectable riggers that may disagree with me on this, but that's generally my opinion of the 20u. =========Shaun ==========

Thank! The lines are directly attached to the snaps, so none of my tensioning equipment hooked to the rig easily ~ smart connector ~ I may dig now in my box of hardware and see if I can find something to replicate that. =========Shaun ==========

I wanted to post my accomplishment of finally finishing my chest rating! I've been working on it off an on now for about 2 years, but I finally got out to Mt Vernon MO to spend a Saturday with Bob Fiesty and take the practical test. I started working on this additional rating as practice sewing for a MR qualification as well as sewing/repair practice. Easy exam, it was supervised by a representative from the FAA FSDO office in Kansas City who was responsible for A&P & rigging exams in this part of the country. I've collected a number of chest reserves, all in beautiful condition: 1. 2 T-10R, 1 dated 1998 with the MIRPS installed. The second is from 1978 and in questionable condition. 2. Cazar Pop-top chest reserve identicle to it's Strong Enterprises Counterpart, almost Stitch-by-stitch. I rebuilt this as sewing practice with all new hardware, built new risers, and a new poptop compliments of Jumpshack. 3. United States Airforce C-12 Automatic Chest, complete with blast handle and working F-12 opener. 4. 1978 North American Aerodynamics Chest which I rebuilt with rotating cones (the Mil-spec MS22048-C1 grommets are hard to set without the obsolete die ~ I would love to find the die at some old army surplus joint) If anything, this has been fantastic repair practice and a fun collection. =========Shaun ==========

I jump an Argus, and while I did not vote for it here, I have no doubt in my mind it is as good as the rest. [/can of worms] =========Shaun ==========

I think the thing to do would be to put a nice Classic 282 or Parafoil in the container and have a glorified (cheap) accuracy rig. The MC-4 main is a big 5 cell, right?I see these rigs go on ebay for $4,000+, I'm curious as to where you got it for so cheap... =========Shaun ==========

I think it's funny how Argus is banned at SDAZ because of the 'risk' of a canopy around the tail due to a faulty cutter yet somehow I keep seeing old FXC's get on SDAZ planes. Hell, they go off randomly even when they're working correctly! OH SDAZ you crack me up... =========Shaun ==========

Riggers, I am looking for a better straight stitch than I currently use (I have a 2u 33 & 73..) and I have come across a Singer 96-10 at a reasonable price. Do any of you have experience with these machines? How would they compare to the tried & True 281 as far as penetration power is concerned? This would be for mostly container work..... =========Shaun ==========

Feb 14th.....I think I'll have a nice hot chocolate and a roll of some sorts at Starbucks (Never been there...) =========Shaun ==========

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Phantom evolve out of the R2-1 design (I think I read that in Poynters while looking for the diaper design)? Personally, I just recommend Strong End Lo-Pos to Pilots... maybe someday we'll have a commercially reliable source for New C-9's! =========Shaun ==========

Yup. That's it. Thank you. This rig is a mid-80's canopy in an almost brand new Container ~ very interesting. I'm not committing to packing it or returning it unpacked, but I do pln on throwing it on my table this evening and giving it a fair shake. =========Shaun ==========

You know what I love about you, Jerry? Every photo I've seen of yours of vintage gear is a recent photograph of it being used. I'll be you have one helluva rigger closet. =========Shaun ==========

Too skinny to be a SL holder..I'm stumped too.. =========Shaun ==========

Point taken and considered, Thank you. I actually found the information on page 30 of the FAA Rigger Manual. Interesting design, it's even different than a National/Piglet style diaper. Yes, I do mean R2-1..Sorry. =========Shaun ==========

Riggers, Has anybody have experience with an early/mid 80's? A local pilot has a Para-innovators RS-1 Canopy with a diaper design I am generally unfamiliar with, and I have dug through all available resources for the proper packing instructions. Could anybody help point me in the right direction? =========Shaun ==========

I'd agree completely ~ my home DZ was booted off an Airport just this year, all because some Good-ol boys on the Airport Board wanted to land their aircraft without radios and didn't want anything else in their little airspace. Unfortunatly, this Airport didn't accept any Federal Funds.... =========Shaun ==========

I live 20 minutes away from Lawrence and drive right by the airport on a regular basis. Last weekend was a Jayhawk home game. I drove by, I counted maybe 8 Cessna 172's parked along the tarmac. Some Traffic. 8 people flew their bug beaters in. You might see maybe 10 bug beaters on a race day, but there are plenty of other airports just as close that folks are likely to fly into as well. =========Shaun ==========

I got into a debate at the DZ this last weekend because this is what I thought too, but a few other riggers are of the belief that Precision's WrapIts go around 4 times..I need to research this myself... =========Shaun ==========

KSU Parachute Club ~ Kansas State University Parachute Club is the only collegiate parachute club to own their own dropzone...

I wouldn't give up too easy ~ contact any of the commemorative airborn wings (I believe they have one in Arkansas and one in Texas) ~ there is a use for stuff like that, and they will keep it in the air. There is a group of guys here in Kansas that go down and jump that stuff every other weekend for 'fun'. =========Shaun ==========

I'd like to make the suggestion (and would appreciate it if those who agree would second the motion) for a forum to cover Aircraft/jump plane operations. I see a lot of posts on aircraft maintenance for jumpship operations, STC's, economic comparisons, et cetera scattered throughout the forums ~ lets make a place for it. =========Shaun ==========

I looooove cruizing Ebay for old vintage gear. I've purchased 2 chest rigs from there, both in excellent condition, and I havent' paid more than pennies for them. Every now and again I'll see a complete piece of junk go for an absurd amount of money ~ for example, just a few weeks ago I watched a junker T-10R from the 60's sell for some $350 to some sellers who buy and sell old Vietnam era collectables. I imagine some sad sad person who in their minds, thinks they're actually going to make money at that.... =========Shaun ==========

++++++1 Well said, Mike. (Coincidently, I sent my Argus your direction for a checkup just last week, thank you for continuing to service them). The only thing I'd like to add is that I'm not convinced that Chemring Energetics is leaving this market is entirely for liability. Chemring Energetics is a member of the Hi-Shear group, which is a MAJOR player in Aerospace and Defense when it comes to missile stage seperation devices ~ They probably just never saw Aviacom as a growth Partner. Mike, you also said that it is no secret that Avicaom is trying to develop another cutter ~ are they still trying to get themselves back on their feet? =========Shaun ==========

Damn ~ makes me want to go and see if I can build a rig.. =========Shaun ==========