kenneth21441

When I was an Army Parachute Rigger at Ft Bragg from early 1988 to 1994. It was great as I had the chance to make many many jumps from all sorts of A/C. Some days, some nights, even combat equipment. Some from 130's, 141's, and various other helicopters. That did not include the GB clubs weekend events for fun (Skydiving), And Yes, I even had waited in those long lines on Sicily to do the morning fun jumps from the 130.. The only real issue was the person in HQ who just wanted to log jumps for that Hazard pay that being log one here and log one here another month or tow. When I was doing an average of five a month if not more,. And on deployments it was good to get out and jump more also.. In the end I ended up with a some of over two hundred static line jumps plus the sky diving.. I do miss the military: I do offten thing of the good old days of that night mass tac with a fifty pound ruck and all. As when I finally got my chance to go to Jumpmaster school at Mcdill. I loved it even more, there you learned to safely put the jumpers out and being a rigger that was a great asset since we dealt with the gear every day and just doing it was something that I will always chairish. But the real treat was actually being the JM or safety on a night jump, standing in that door at 800 feet... I dont know what is more pleasing this or doing a skydive... the verdict can not be reached even to this day, except in skydiving you dont have that long briefing call _ Pre Jump....and mock door exits etc.. Enjoyed it and would say "You have to try it to buy it" Support our troops.. Just my two pennies on this area..

i was actually referening to riggs being packed up some 120 or so... sure if you used it its been some time to air out.,... but also knoiwing its been used would give me more attention to the finer parts of an inspection... possible holes tree or other nasty landings, being wet ... wet grass...etcc,,,,, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I like to not being forced into a situation. Plus I do air out the canopy/ lines etc... for over 24 hours just to be on the safe side... just my own real policy.... So if a jumper comes to me and wants a rush job..gotta have it tommorrow.. I dont pack it.,. that is my chose..... If they did not find the time to get it to me in time I will not place my name on a rush job for no one......... normal turn is 2 days... allows for airing, inspection and repack... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

The first question I have to ask was: do you know how many times this reserve was repacked../?? If it had pasted in the hands of more then one rigger, and/ or if it had been repacked before by either one rigger or another. quite possible to blame the last packer, but may have to blame others as well. or who was it that moved this reserve to this container... Was the line that was loose: broken or maybe it was not connected.. Not being connected is sort of hard to belive.. since each repack the reserve should be inspected 100 percent... including lines etc... its easy to see if a line is not attached when packing as all lines should / will be tight..... Just my two cents here...... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Riggers/ Jumpers and everyone else. Just a reminder that you have one more day to make any comments on the proposed FAA change to the reserve pack cycle from 120 to 180 days. If you would like to see or not to see this change, then post your comments the more that is commented on this area the better the chances for all in community. There was a link prior to this the web site here. But if you go to the USPA/s web site their is one there. Just a reminder for all of those who would like to commment. Thank you.

ive always used a 22 and 25 pound weight bag, attached to the ripcord lightly. 22 pounds should deploy and I use the 25 pound one 2nd. that is the only scalable method that I know and use. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

As noted a new larger slider will help. Also try rolling the nose a few turns and talk with your local rigger on packing in this area for help. good luck... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I like it. Well written...

Depending on where its located...Reserve area... Unpack etc..... Main area..Unpack and you might get away with spot cleaning with a spray bottle of coldwater / woolight mix...and a rag to get any run off.... But that depends on the amount of oil...etc...... I have used the spray bottle with some great sucess on small stains... Not more then 3 to 5 inches sq.. Spray area till wet...have rags around to get any run off... Rub in with hand/ fingers and repeat a few times then using regular coldwater rinse and soak up ... doing this a few times to get all the soap out then hang in a place that will not get sunlight for a day or two.. a fan will help dry it faster... Be sure to place canopy in a tote so it does not get wet durning this porcess.... Like stated before its only for small areas....... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

There are many comments made on this subject area. Just do a quick search and youll see wht I mean. Best advice work under a local rigger and do your 20 pack jobs and repairs etc.........he / she will be able to expain on the rest.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Just another reason why people that cant take the risk should not even try it. Hell if I was sue happy Id sue bud weiser for all the ugly women that ive seen some men pick up. What is the world coming too.... It sucks and we must protect our seleves. That is the reason why I gave up teach scuba diving due to those idiots wanting over $700 a year for suing insurance... Just in case I taught someone that was so stuipd to do something that they forgot or just paniced.. I hate lawyers and those money hungry idiots. Sorry this just pisses me off..... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

If no damage to the contents then keep it. I am sure that they packaged the contenets to prevent any damage. Te reason why the box looks that way is because of the empty space. After all what can you expect it must have been sent via UPS.... They try to max out the cube on those trailers.... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

That is a no no...I dont care where you are at. This is the reason why some people are just TSTO. (Too Stupid Too Live). Youll find a rigger but dont do that other. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

My opinion is just that as everyone else has a A or a B hole. As I recall from reading my regs ithe FAA leaves it up to the rigger to air out the canopy. It does not state the time frame. But as Stated before it was our SOP to air the canopy (reserve) out for at least 24 hours before we repack. Why? I dont know but as I think of it. our rigs have been exposed to alot of things during there 120 days of pack and if a small stain of somones sweat, drink etc.. was on the canopy this 24 hours helped dry it and if it caused some discoloring we would find it orif it was wet by the inspection it was dry.etc.. Ive seen some slightly damp canopy maybe from condensation or whatever. It does not hurt plus it makes a good practice in following the Regs. Of course if they are wet, wet and 24 hours is too short then they air out longer with a fan. To this day I still practice this. And plus I never want to have a customer come to me with a rush like I need this for the morning. Ill tell them no and if they want to watch it repacked come back in 24 hours... No one should have a problem with this. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I feel that this proposed change with have both the good and bad points of our sport. One thing that concerns me the most is the actual control of the canopy once its packed who is to say that the owner will do the right thing in storing it. Ive seen some people keep there packed rigs in the cars trunk for months on end only to take it out to jump. Remember the cars temp can reach over 100 degrees in the summer or more. The other area is making sure that the rigger is doing what he is suppose to do, when he or she receives the rig for repack. Are they really taking the time to inspect that canopy, suspension lines, and harness from top to bottom and inside and out. It takes me over an hour and half or more to check these areas as I dont want to miss a thing. Plus I always let the canopy air out for 24 hours. This of course came from my army training. Ive seen some who open the container, spread the canopy out and repack it all with a 2 hour period. Is this wrong or am I just being to causious? I will be sure always..... If the rules d change I hope that our riggers will at least let the canopy airout for a day and do that 100 percent inspection closer. As they will not see that canopy for another 175 days or so. Id even go as far as making a care list for the customer so they will asssit me in taking care of the rig durning that 180days... in handling, storing, etc.. How many of you have seen stains on the container for soda/ pop or others .... ever wonder what that will do after 180 days... with out the proper care? Just my two cents on this issue. as I do support the change but we must also prepair for it in doing the right thing....... thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

This is one movie that I will see when it comes out on netflicks.... Sure hate the squal type movies. How are people be so TSTO to watch them. Hollyweed thinks that since one was a hit, two, three, four, and etc will be a smash. Rarely are they. They just get lammer.... Just my thoughts on it. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Have you tried Cordura. At least doubled. Its a bit on the pricey side but paragear does time from time have some cheap stuff.. but then again it can be a color issue. Another area would be to sew slips of plastic into the wings each cut at least half inch on top and like to 3 inches on the bottom... with a total of 4 to 5 on each wing.. sewen into its own little pocket area ... then this will be somewhat ridged and still flexable.... and they still alow for movement etc.... These are just a few that I could come up with.... to do your wings.. Unless someone else has some others... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I made a set of two piece camara suit this winter. I like it due to the fact that you can just take off the top if it gets hot on the ground. Flies well. Just had to make sure that the waist area was made smaller to keep from coming up or down too much... esp on the ground. Check if a local tailor could make you one or a rigger. Materials cost me $27 for 6 yards of heavy duty stuff, elastic another $4 and my time of 5 hours.... Well under the other cost plus ive got pockets and all added... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Well folks after one year of looking for a full time position I recently interviewed with a Pallet Company that is looking for a manager to run the day to day operation. I really want this type of job. I owner was impressed by my experience and the fact that I had wrote the SOP for my other job a few years ago. It seemed as we got along, as I had sold pallet to his company back then, and knew him and how to do a good business. I sure hope that works out next week,... so i dont have to worry about those fast food joints....Sure am over qulified for them,... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

John, I totally agree with you 100 percent on this as he has no Honor and would love to hear soon that he is sitting in some State or Fed pen for a while. Just proves that if you make a word live up to it. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Id say keep Hillery in the house not the White House in 2008. Look how she ran her self all those years. Plus his dog of a daughter got a six figure job and I cant find one.. Nor another half of the nation with all the Jobs going South or the South coming to coma el-America... Whats up with that? Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Just got the chance to see the last episode of the Fiji Survivor and that Dreams was a BS artist that did not deserve the truck. Even though he knew he would not go with his word. typical. Well at least Earl got the Bucks!! and for Yue Man I sure hope that he gets another better truck and that Dreams has a wreck and totals the thing. Just my two cents on this issue,,,,,,, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Ill check that one out.... Thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Just got my latest movie from Netflicks. Employee of the Month with that SNL lip singers (sister).. Best advice dont rent or purchase this movie unless you have an hour and half to waste. Best advice give it the local jail and let them watch it as part of there doing time......... Just my advice....... from what I felt about this movie... Ken.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Just my two cents. I really dont trust equipment like that too much. As things do happen that is why I always jump a neptune and another altimeter... Just in case. I guess I get that from my techincal diving days.. always carry a back up.... But no never had that happen yet.. thansks. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith