JerryBaumchen

At the Symposium, Dave DeWolf mentioned a pair of serrated scissors that he said were the Cat's Meow to cut Spectra with. I got a pair and he is right. They come from: Arius-Eickert 2201 Commerce Drive Fremont, OH 43420 419-332-1380 info@arius-eickert.com They are noted as #9162, 7" Winders Shears & the serration is an extra charge. I don't know what they cost; mine were gratis. Jerry

Hi junky, I was just thinking the same thing later last night. It does seem as though the rigger should have the main risers there to know that they are correctly fitted to accept the Snap Shackle. Jerry

Hi Mark, To answer your question as written: yes, IMO. Now, people may not like that 'defendable' position (I looked the word tenable up) but I think that they are on good grounds here. Again, IMO. Stay tuned, film at 11:00. Jerry

Zing-zing, we have a winner. Jerry

Hi Derek, I have to disagree with you on this. The FAA issues a TSO Authorization. This authorization allows the mfr to mark the product in accordance with the applicable TSO standard. There are also other things that a mfr must do, such as implementing the QA Program, mfg in accordance with the specifications, etc. Once the TSO authorization is issued the FAA will follow what the mfr decides is legal for his product(s). At least this has been my experience. I am comfortable with anyone who wishes to disagree with me on this. Jerry

Hi Jan, I was 'told' at PIA (I do not have anything in writing so am using 'told') that: UPT/Vector added the SkyHook without going through a Minor Change. Sunpath/Javelin added another flap (req'd for the SkyHook) via the Minor Change process. Again, this is what I was told. Jerry PS) I 'understand' that the PIA committee for the TSO standards is considering some type of testing for certification if a SkyHook is used (M.A.R.D. = Main canopy Assisted Reserve Deployment in their language). Here's a question for you Jan: what req'ments would you want in the standard?

Hi Mark, C23c came about in '84 & C23d came about in '94. Also, a TSO Authorization holder can produce any version of their product (I am only talking about products with Minor Changes) whenever they want. This means that UPT could still produce the original version of the Wonderhog, if they wanted to. Jerry

Hi Howard, And the guy in the photo is jumping the 'latest' in canopies, a 1.6. All those that know what a 1.6 is, raise your hand. Jerry

Hi Glitch, From personal contact with USPA, I was informed that Group Member dz's are NOT required to report incidents. Jerry

I think that the Seattle Skydivers and their successors at the Snohomish airport go back way farther than that. Jerry

BRAVO!

Yup, Orange is the oldest commercial operation (but no longer the same operators so that begs the question). However, I think some club operations predate it. The oldest continuing club is the Seattle Skydivers; but they are no longer involved in any operation, training, etc. Just a social function these days. Jerry

My second worst travel day: 11:30 PM 9/10/01 departure out of Sao Paulo to LAX. All goes well until we are about 2 hrs hours out of LAX (it is now 9/11) when they announce we are being diverted due to security at LAX; so I'm thinking maybe a crash there and runways closed. We land in Tijauna and there it turns into the proverbial Chinese fire drill. After about 6 hrs sitting (with them twice telling us that they are going to take us back to Brazil) they say that anyone with papers to enter US can depart. Then they decide that since we are on Mexican soil, we must go through Mexican immigration (another Chinese fire drill). Then they announce that buses will pick us up for transport to LAX. Get to the border and see A LOT OF GUNS. This is not normal!!!! Finally get to LAX and into a hotel, flip on the tv and find out that the world has changed. Next morning I call my travel agent to get a rental car (the US air transport system is still down), get the rental car and drive 20+ hrs straight to PDX. An interesting event in my life, Jerry

Hi mktoson, This is nothing negative towards you, just a thought. Since the 'floating laterals' are a piece of webbing that are stitched into place at each end, at the container, while going around the hip ring; just what do they do? Both ends are fixed, I do not see what they accomplish. But I've had 'riggers blank' before (kind of like writer's blank but for us folks). Jerry

Hi agk23, Might I suggest that you contact Infinity (velocityrigs.com) and ask about the SkyHook. I know he is doing 'something' on it. You might inquire as to whether he could retro-fit one if you go with Infinity at this time. Also, why not contact Al MacDonald at Flying High about the Sidewinder. He is a countryman and builds a very nice rig. Lots of quality at a low price. Jerry

Hi Guys, My bad; I got 'Fitz' confused with 'Sully.' Jerry

Hi steve1, I always thought Sully went in in the Spokane area. As I recall it was with a chest mount reserve & a ripcord cable stop. He had a mal, cutaway and the reserve pilot chute entangled with the dangling ripcord. It caused the round reserve to horseshoe and he never cleared it. Around very late '60's or '70???? Does that sound about right? After that ripcord stops were banned at Spokane for all rigs. Jerry

Hey 'mom,' I think you should write this down, put on the fridge and wait. THE day will come. I was a boy & I raised a boy. Jerry

Hey p-head, Is that 68Charlie. If it is, I've got a lot of jumps out of that great ship. Too bad she got burned. I wouldn't want to be who did it if Ralph ever finds out. Jerry

Hi Pilot, I've 'never' forgotten them. Back about '67 I quit wearing them for about 5 years. It was not too uncommon then. At the end of the day, my eyes bothered me only slightly. One beer and all was well again. Jerry

Hi Terry, OK, I'll try: MARS Yes/no? Jerry

Hi wendy, I have a degree in Mech Engr. I spent 30 yrs in the same job. I loved the work I did & got to travel all over the USA and a very large chunk of the world; Asia, South America & Europe. 'Some' of us like the work that we do, Jerry PS) Now retired, the best job I've ever had.

When Jamie Woodward ran Snohomish he did it; he even got the tandem mfr (Strong) to go along with it. IRRC, the kid was about 14. Jerry

Hi Rob, Not a problem. We will have to disagree on this one. IMO, the mfr sets the standards for their equipment as they want. And that is how it should be. Jerry

Hi twardo, I worked in a non-aviation industry and oversaw testing of metal parts for 30 yrs. Anything that was tested to the design load limits NEVER went into service; it went into the scrap bins. Our normal Proof Load Test was to 40% of design load. I would think that a test of about 100 lbs would be sufficient for a ripcord. Remember, the pull forces cannot be more than 22 lbs. Just my thoughts, other's may vary, Jerry