kenneth21441

400 feet was without a reserve.. US Army testing center 1988 Fort Bragg, NC testing a new German type parachute for possible purchase... It did not go through thank god..... It was scarey.... exit open land like that..... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Jumping in the rain is not too much of a problem, other then it plain hurts...but do remember that a wet canopy: main/ reserve will take more time to open..It should be ok from exit to opening but if the systems are already wet then,....... SO saying this... if you do jump and the reserve does get wet..... besure to have it opened and dried before jumping it.... the next week....... Thank You, Ken.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

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I am looking for Robert Work former member of the US Army Golden Knights from 1989 to 1994..and Army Parachute Rigger.... from the great show me state..... If any one knows where he is please contact me by email.. thank you, Ken Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

In looking at the photo... I would be safe to say that this was made that way with something in the mold....... It should not cause you a problem unless it starts to crack..... and i can not see that happening figuring that this link is rated at xx amount of pounds..... and its not on the ends of the link.... thank you, Ken,., Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I did mine the old fashion way. I joined the US Army. After jump school we had 13 weeks to learn all aspects of what we needed to do. Then with 7 years in and several positions with learning exp., I got out and took the FAA militaty comp exam.... And yes, that ticket is still a ticket to learn.... thank you, Ken.,. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Hello all, I just wanted to post this to let everyone know that if they are going to jump... Don't ASSUME.... that you are asking the correct person.. if you are jumping new equipment.. or equipment that you had never seen before... The story goes like this.. A new skydiver goes to another DZ in another state to jump.... He is just given the rig and here you go... he ask wheres the rip cord as he was trained on the student sweathog with the rip cord around the hip area... He asked the manifester where is the rip cord and that person just says pull that string and thats it.... so he jumps and pulls that string...... nothing.,.....nothing............at 1500 feet AGL.... he goes to pull the reserve... and lets go of that string thing that he was holding for the past 10 sec. then wamm.. it opens and now he has his main and lands off the DZ...... One of the jumpers who was going to the DZ saw him and picked him up and the jumper said that he lost his ripcord... and the driver said no you have everything............ (of course this string was a pilot chute).. Now you know the story so please dont ever assume...... Make a ASS of U and ME..... if you dont know please ask a instructor, rigger,.... just don't assume.... and ask anyone...... The jumper then came back to our DZ with this story and that sort of makes us all sick to think that this guy would let himself get caught like this......... He will now ask if he does not know.... and I hope that this will assist everyone to think about this.... thank you, Ken.... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Hello all. I thought that I reply here. I was a Army Parachute Rigger stationed at Fort Bragg from 88 to 94.. I loved it.. started skydiving at the GB club in 1990.. and had not looked back... I was always ready to jump.... Static line, or from what ever A/c.... John, you might not remember me from 612 Qm.. but i remember you well.... as it was a great time... then I moved to the big sand box for seven years (Saudi Arabia) and now Im back in the US I cant stop jumping./... ken,,, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Try this link... it has a good photo of the canopy in action..... http://www.skydiveorange.com/parachute.htm thanks Ken.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Hello all, Having a vector 3 and also being my own rigger. I can tell you that in the manual/ video that RW recommends that the reserve piot paprchute (RPC) be first centered with the loop/ gromment... having said this then the rigger compresses the springs.. making sure that the pull up cord and RPC material is not mixed in with the springs..... Once the RPC is seated. and temp pin is in place I then make sure that all material is out from the RPC... then I S-fold the top portion of the material, then the bottom portion.... with a approx a two to three inch folds..... then I do the same to the left and right sides,..... then the sides is further S-folded..... onto itself........ I leave approx between one to two inches of material around the RPC crown..... By not placing the material between the springs... this will further increase the opening speed and reduce the bulk rate of the RPC... I hope that this helps you all in your search...... and remember the rigger pledge is " I will be sure, Always" Thank you, Ken Potter FAA Rigger Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I must admit that I had seen alot of the accidents coming from those with over 200 jumps..... maybe its is this that causes them to get hurt or killed..... I firmly believe that if the jumpers keep the pull rates at 3500 they will have plently of time to take care of any problems verses someone who pulls at 2000 and no time.... with all these jumps.... a high puller still has alot longer..... to take care of business if needed....... be safe and enjoy the sport............keep your cool under pressure... Thank you, Ken... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Direct means .... being there...... observing what is going on... not going to Burger King or chatting on the phone..... When I watch the packers at my DZ I am in direct contact with the packers... either by just being up close chating with them.. about anything... mainly skydiving..... but also I am watching what they are doing.... correcting anything that could be wrong........ this is direct observations.. IF the rigger is not doing this he should be... but a word here... The rigger needs to use Tact on this.... not ordering... but doing it diplomatially..... Not lIke we did in Iraq... But Diplomacy did not work for 12 yrs with them... Thank you, Ken.. FAA Parachute Rigger.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I would recommend that you take care when ever you wash the container.... First make sure that the main and reserve is removed... Dont Forget the AAD if equipped...... Place the container in a warm tub no more then 120 degrees F.... Let soak for at least ten minutes.... during this time... move the container clockwise then counter clock wise.... every few mintues... this loosens any dirt... like a washing machine..... but not as harmful...then remove and rinse....then change the water... as you can repeat this as many times as needed... three works good for me..... a little bit of woollight on the first.... soaking then a little less on the 2nd... but none on the last ...then rinse off.....top to bottom... till no dirt comes out with the flushing water..... No the important info... set the gear (container) up like it should look when packed....flaps.... and harness like it should be worn.....to let it drip dry... not the sun... as 24 hours of exposure to UV light reduces nylon to 50 percent.. lets take care of the gear.......here....... I use fishing line to hang the container up so it sort of looks like that first hanable movie... but it makes the container close/ feel right when it is dry...........get the flaps and all.... in the correct position,........ You may set a fan near the container to asist in drying but not directly onto the container... as this will cause uneven drying.......... You should only have to wash this gear once a year.... if you do that more offten then maybe we should be looking at what you are landing on.... Hope that this information helps all of us...... thank You, Ken... FAA Parachute Rigger Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I feel that the jumper should pull the cut away pillow first then go for the reserve next... As it would be ideal to at least give it a two second... intervial... Just so you are not too close to that garbage in the air,,,, I have this from exp. here,.... Also alot of times the RSL will pull the pin for you but dont always count on that........so pull,,,, then pull the reserve.... it makes sense if you have the altiude to deal with... if not then watch out durning your decent... thank you, Ken... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I had seen Bob in Battle Creek, MI a few weeks ago and that very weekend got the chance to jump with him for a dollar on the Target.. He of course won and I was glad to pay it.... A great man with lots of stories that you just hav e to listen to and learn from...... Thank you, Bob and see you soon... Ken,, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith