JerryBaumchen

Hi hookit, Not to take anything away from your idea (which is a good one BTW; now we're getting somewhere on this) but one also could sew the hook somewhat like that but stay short of the outer edge about 1/4". This would accomplish the same thing and keep the bulk down. Just a thought, Jerry

On May 2, 2007, at 5:14 PM, Jerry Baumchen wrote: Hi Karl, I saw the postings on dz.com about tacking soft links. So I have a question on something I have been thinking about. Everyone says to tack them down. Yours (I believe) use an '0' ring (as some others do; Precision, etc). I have thought that the best way to tack them is to go through both ends of the webbing that forms the top of one leg of a riser (think webbing making a 'U' turn) but go through the center of the '0' ring and NOT tack around the ring itself, which would lock it into place. This will allow the ring to 'float' and move such that it cannot get away/flip out of the riser loop, yet be able to move enough to be inspected. Thoughts????? Jerry Baumchen REPLY) ----- Original Message ----- From: Karl Meyer: To: Jerry Baumchen: Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 6:52 AM Subject: Re: Tacking Soft Links Jerry I like your thinking on this, it will also allow for better access for inspection of the soft links, but also keep them away from the edge of the riser and possible interference with the steering lines. Thanks for the input. Blue Skies Karl Meyer Sales Representative Aerodyne Research REPLY) -----Original Message----- From: "Jerry Baumchen" Date: Thu, 03 May 2007 15:01:25 To:"Karl Meyer" Subject: Re: Tacking Soft Links Karl, So now you owe a drink. I'll 'try' to collect whenever I might see you, Jerry REPLY) Jerry Yes I think your right I do owe you a drink Karl Meyer Sales & Marketing Representative Aerodyne Research LLC Contact info removed by request to prevent spamming - slotperfect

Hi cosmos, The last time I saw him (and that was a loonngg time ago) he was in the Seattle area. I can't be of any further help, Jerry

Hi mama, While it is not very popular, you might also look at the ASTRA by FXC (it never seems to be mentioned when any discussion of AADs is taking place). An ASTRA just saved one of this country's most experienced jumpers. Jerry

Back in the '60's Dan Poynter did some testing on glide angle of round canopies. He rigged up some Rube Goldberg device to determine the glide angle. Then he started jumping canopies with various mods; double L's, TU's, blow holes, etc. I think everything that he tested were 1.1's. He found that all of the canopies had the same glide angle, some just got to the ground faster (ouch ). Jerry

Hi guru, My memory says it was Dan Poynter. It was something he wrote when he did an annual Fatality Study. Jerry

Hi pops, You've got me scatching my head. How about posting a pic or two of them side by side? Or measuring them with a caliper and posting the results. Jery

Hi frawley308, I have not seen her in eons. I think she was also on the US National Women's Softball Team at one time. You might see if they can be contacted. Jerry

Hi Jovial, Very interesting; you must have been paying attention in class. If it were going to be in your vision I would think it could also be a national training center?????? Looks very good and does what you said it should, Jerry

Hi mark, I believe that PD has been making canopies for these types of things for quite some time now. Jerry

Hi Scoop, Send an email to Body Sport USA (they have a website) and I am sure that Jim will answer your questions. Jerry

Hi Zig, Back in about '94 I was in L.A. on business and had some free time one afternoon. Stopped by FXC and asked about how their work on an electronic AAD was coming along. I met with three different people (don't remember who now) and they showed me some prototypes. They said that they had cut a ripcord cable (3/32" 7x7 strand) with it. Jerry

Nick, Understatement. Jerry

It won't; last week a USPS employee told me that the 'Forever' stamp is restricted to 1 oz letters only and cannot be used two/time for heavier mail. It is very restrictive. Jerry

Hi steve1, I don't think any of us are perfect; I know I'm not. Things like the molar strap and the use of clamps make me more worried than in the old days and that 'worry' is what keeps me on my toes (I still cannot see how that clamp could get left in a container; must have been a very loose fit). Back about 20 yrs ago a local jumper brought his rig to me for a normal repack. It was a 2-pin reserve container, Northern Lite with a round reserve. When I opened it up I found that the Locking Loop was worn more than I would use again. This Locking Loop was what they used in those days; it looked like a large '0' ring, circular in shape (I hope you can picture it). So I got some line sleeving and made a new one just like the original one & repacked the rig. Quite a few months later the owner came up to me all concerned about the fact that I had made up this style of Locking Loop for his rig; this was just at the time most rigs were going to a Locking Loop that was something that looked like a straight piece of sleeving with a finger-trapped loop on each end (the loops on the ends being about 1/4" long). He said that later he had taken his rig out to the dz at Molalla for another normal repack and he could not pull the ripcord. He also said that one other jumper there had stood on his rig and by pulling with everything he had, could not get the ripcord to budge. Well, of course I am in total shock, thinking what in the world could I have done to result in something like this (obviously, he would have gone in had he tried to use the reserve). By now I am all apologetic, at a loss for words, ready to turn in my Rigger's ticket, etc, etc, when he tells me that I had not actually packed this total, it was someone else who had done this 'totaled' repack (a rigger infamous for sloppy pack jobs), but he was mad that I had made a Locking Loop in the '0' ring shape. He said that when he had pulled the handle on my repack it worked just fine but he didn't like this Locking Loop. Now my mind is really reeling as to 'What in the hell is he trying to say' and I'm trying to digest all of this and get back to my senses and, finally, trying to decide if I should just strangle him right on the spot or not. I will never forget that moment. I decided then and there that I would never pack another rig for him again; and I think we both like it that way. I have always believed that you can take me out into the street and hang me for what I have done but don't ever give me any crap for what I have not done. Jerry

Hi jarrett, Also, I don't think anyone posting here will know that your grandfather, Mike Martin, was a skydiver also. That makes you a 3rd generation jumper and there's not many of those around. I remember when your grandfather and another guy came down to Vancouver from Longview to jump Jens Jorgensen's V-77 Gull Wing. Your grandfather went up to 12.5K with a smoke grenade and tracked across the sky. It was the summer of '64 and I had about 15 jumps at the time; I can still picture it in my mind. It was phenominal to watch; however, nothing when compared to the wingsuiters of today. Stay safe, Jerry

Hi howard, I jumped in a competition at Antioch in '70 and it did have some rolling hills like that. And in the summer they do get very brown. However, I do think that guy pictured is a looonnnggg way from the pea pit. Jerry

Hi peckerhead, I did this down in Australia when at the First POPS World Meet. Bob Jones from Hemet/Perris/Elsinore area showed up with his reserve out of date. I had brought my packing goodies in the event I would have to repack my own rig (did not want to spend time packing someone else's). BJ did not want to spend the money to have an Aussie rigger repack it, then have to have it repacked again as soon as he re-entered the USA. So I had a local Aussie rigger repack it (I think the proper terminology now is 'assist' ) while I watched/supervised and gave him some pointers on what I thought about some techniques. I then sealed and signed it off. Everybody walked away happy. Just an old war story, Jerry

Hi Rob, I was on his website looking at that a couple weeks ago. It is a very interesting concept. And it definitely does simplify things substantially. Right now I think the only problem with that idea in this country is that it is a foreign idea. Now if a yankee came up with it . . . . . Jerry

Hi parafredo, I just got a canopy today from PD via FedEx. It clearly said in large letters SIGNATURE REQUIRED. FedEx just left it on the porch. Jerry

Only if they get reported to them; and not all do. Jerry

Hi katz, I don't know about any military gear (I think the blonde got in the way of seeing much [?]) but did notice on a couple of rigs that the 3-rings were in reverse order; the big ring being on the riser and the two smaller rings being on the harness. I've seen that before on some gear from eastern-bloc countries. Jerry

Hi auto, You'll see more than this if you stay with this skydiving thing. This has been going on since the mid-'60's; believe me, I know. Jerry

My first day in Basic Training: USAF = U Sure Are Fu**ed Jerry

Hi pchapman, Great post. I've spent time pondering this also. About 15 years or so ago Elek Puskas (then Pres of Para-Flite) told me that they should be replaced annually. However, I have never seen anything (well, I don't remember seeing anything) in any manual about a time-frame to replace them. The old 'when to replace because . . .' gets into a lot of technical work on what are the quantifiable elements that determines when to take one out of service. I think most riggers just say 'this is too stretchy' and throw it away. Again, great post.