JerryBaumchen

You are correct; I had forgotten that the FCI reserves (and Amigos I believe) are the only reserves without stabilizers. Good call. Jerry

I got the story from Rozo first hand. I also knew and rode with Joe Taylor on many a Beech load. Seems as though Joe liked to take people and do hammer-head stalls with them in the plane; Tom did not know he was doing this. The band was known as 'Montana' & there was a 12 yr old kid in the Beech at the time. Yes, it was Rozo's Beech. I was not surprised that this is how Joe ended things. Jerry

My vote = not me, ever. Jerry

One dagger in their heart was buying the Elsinore dz just before she flooded. Another was lots of dealers beginning to give substantial discounts on new gear and their not wanting to go into that marketplace. Others????????? Jerry

Terry, When we get to Reno next January, find me, buy me a drink and I guarantee you that when we are finished discussing 'minor changes,' you will know it as good as I do. Jerry

Hey Pete, I finally packed my first reserve since getting your s/s doo-hicky. Got the job all done (a real struggle; rig builders do not know how to size their products for customers canopies [end of this rant]) and when I got all done, I found your tool still in my kit box. Well, maybe next time I'll remember it. Jerry

One of the best pilot 'how to use it' seminars that I have ever seen was given by Alan Silver up at the Arlington, WA air show about 5 yrs ago. Alan is in the SFO Bay area. If you have a pilot-type who really wants to learn about his parachute, tell him to try to get to one of Alan's seminars. They are good. Jerry

Hi Terry (& to all of you posting on this one), This post is in no way to insult anyone on their views, thoughts, etc about the TSO process. Iactually enjoy reading the input. I am not an expert on the TSO process; but I have held numerous TSO's since '79. I've always considered this TSO-thing kind of like pregnancy, one moment you are not a TSO holder & the next you are. There is no in-between or maybe about it. Once you become a TSO holder you have entered into a different world, and a confusing one at times. I once had an FAA ACO employee tell me that anything that he would say to me was not binding, only that which they actually put into writing could they be held to. Almost like getting an answer from the IRS. Over the years I have found that is just how they work; in my experience, at least. I have a document that was put out by the FAA many years ago called 'TECHNICAL STANDARD ORDER SYSTEM, Guide for Manufacturers.' I once gave a copy of it to Dan Poynter and he will sell you a copy. Terry, send me your address and I'll send you a copy. In it it states under Design changes, Minor changes: 'A manufacturer possessing TSO authorization may make minor design changes to his article without applying for FAA approval.' It goes on to state: 'The following items should be included in the manufacturer's notification of a minor change: d. statement that the change will not affect the TSO compliance . . .' IMO, what it comes down to is if the TSO holder states that his minor change (however extensive that change may be) still complies with the original TSO then that is it. My retired FAA-type/consultant that I use likes to tell me that the whole thing is based upon the honor system. That has been my experience, both as a TSO holder and as an observer of what other TSO holders have done/are doing. As I've said before, a Vector III is only a Wonderhog. Now, I've probably added more confusion to this whole discussion with this, but such is life. Jerry PS) 'If it is not a major change then it is a minor change. If it is not a minor change then it is a major change.' Confusing? Yup.

Didn't POPS do something like a 110 out in Perris last fall? Jerry

It's kind of like the Peter Principle; start sewing them up & when the last one lands you hard, take it back out & there'll you'll be. Actually, I haven't a clue. Jerry

Hi Guido, OK, here is my $0.02 worth. From what the Seattle ACO folks have told me, a major change is a new rig. If you go in for a major change then you must qualify all over again. jSounds rather dumb to me, though. Ergo, only minor changes in the parachute industry. And I am very sure in other aviation industries. One, now retired, ACO employee once told me that the minor change/major change in the parachute TSO is the most confusing (to them, the FAA) of any TSO that they deal with. So, are you now an expert on this? Others?????? Jerry

'minor changes' huh? I find that some folks who advocate that all parachute equipment should have a set time-frame to comply with the latest standard do not do that with their own products. Hm?????? It is my understanding that the Vector III & the Racer are still TSO'd under C23b (I may be wrong but I think I am correct). The ref. document in C23b is NAS 804. Worldwide standard? Personally, I would prefer that the gov'ts just get out of regulating sport parachutes. Let the marketplace decide; that is really what is going on anyway. Rob is correct, the FAA boys know zip about parachutes (I do have some experience with them) but they will never admit it; after all, they still have the 'control.' Rant over, Jerry

Hi jumper03, All good advice so far; you must simply spend a lot of time on trial & error. It will come to you. However, you will never be as good as the little ladies that do it all day long; it is a male-only type of handicap. Learn to live with that. Jerry PS) If you want to see REALLY good corners, go buy a cheap fabric wallet made in the far east; those gals make any American look sloppy.

Hi Rob, Actually, I've always thought it was because they are not willing to spend the extra $$$ for a square. Also, they seem to only get their PEP rigs backed once a year. They will spend $10,000 for some do-hicky for their airplane but not an extra $700-900 for a square canopy. Some years back I had a talk with Bill Coe about the idea of a cross-connector on the risers so that no matter how far a pilot-type pulled the toggle he would actually be pulling both risers down; hopefully to prevent violent stalls, etc. I think it is an idea whose time will come. Jerry

Now: '97 BMW 840Ci If any: Ferrari Testarossa, in yellow thank you. Jerry

Hey k_marr08, Just take what we tell with a large grain of salt. Jerry D-1543

Many moons ago we had a couple of guys who wanted to do a variation on a Mr. Bill. They decided to do a 'normal' Mr. Bill but also use a long bungie cord so Jumper B could do a bungie jump after Jumper A opened and they got settled, then Jumper A would release the bungie cord (or was it Jumper B?; oh, whatever). All went as planned, Jumper B jumps from Jumper A, stretches out the bungie cord where upon full stretch it snaps, it then recoils and clobbers Jumper B in the head knocking him unconscious. Fortunately Jumper B pulled just before it hit him. Then Jumper A came over (after noticing that Jumper B was just hanging in the harness) and did a two-stack and guided Jumper A to the dz. Just prior to landing, Jumper A regained consciousness and was able to land his canopy OK. A air-to-air photo guy was there and had it all on film and it ended up on some of the nationally syndicated TV shows. Ah, the best laid plans of mice & men.

Hi k_marr08, There is a guy by the name of Jim Bates, who is a member of Connetictut Parachutes (sp?). They might have a website, but he is world of info on our history. Try to locate him, Jerry

Hi crazydiver, That one, along with a variety of other shapes, are made & sold by the Jump Shack. You can contact them and they will probably send you pics of the various shapes that they make. Jerry PS) Also, good folks to do business with.

Hi jumper03, I have a manual titled 'CIRRUS RESERVE/SWIFT RESERVE PACKING INSTRUCTIONS.' It is dated Feb '84. I could make a copy for you but it is nearly 40 pages. However, I am thinking that this may just be for the original 5-cell Swift. It says on the cover '**The CIRRUS RESERVE and SWIFT RESERVE are packed identically with the exception of the deployment brakes which are covered seperately in these packing instructions.' Also, as I read the section(s) about setting the brakes, they do not seem to make a lot of sense. I used to own (and pack) a 5-cell Swift reserve so I am sure if I had the canopy in front of me it would make sense. I do not remember being confused at the time I owned & packed the reserve. I also have the EOS manual but that is about 100 pages; no offer from me to copy that novel. Try contacting Para-Flite (they have a web-site), they have been fairly good about supplying things like this. I just got a new reserve pilot chute for an EOS rig that needs one. HTH, Jerry PS) As for 'wierd' brake settings, I am thinking that would apply to a 5-cell Swift and not the 7-cell Swift Plus. Now, if you want really 'different' brake settings take a look at a Safety Flyer (if you can find one). PPS) I can be reached on 503-481-4714, no early calls, I am on the west coast & I like to sleep in.

23,500 in Turbo 206, on-board 02. Dude spotting wasn't as good as he claimed, landed in next town down the road.

Hi sundevil, Wow, someone who knows what an ASTM is; engineer by chance? So do you know what an ANSI is? Just having some fun with you. IMO, you are correct. Without knowing the spec req'ment and the tolerances what good does 'Check the porosity' do. How about nothing? Again, IMO the fabric maker does not set the standard, the TSO holder sets the standard. It is HIS product. The fabric maker is merely a raw materials supplier. Just my old $0.02 worth (or is it worth less than that?). Jerry PS) ASTM = American Standards for Testing & Materials. ANSI = American National Standards Institute.

Hi always, The last that I knew, Strong Enterprises had the rights to the Hobbit reserve. You might try contacting them. Jerry

Hi Mick, Re: That's where the clout lies, with the 'approved' manufacturer. What is the proper saying here: HOLD THE PHONES, WE HAVE A WINNER. It is, in my opinion, all about priorities; and I think that when it comes to the feds actually looking into something (which they will not do unless req'd [just my jab at them]), it would ONLY come down to that which is 'approved.' Other thoughts???? Jerry

Hi JohnRich, Actually, back in the '60's there were two accuracy events at the Nationals and at any World Meet. A hop-n-pop accuracy event and a 20 sec. delay accuracy event. The 20 sec. delay event had some type of req'ment to be open within + - the 20 sec. mark; I do not remember the allowable + - , though. Therefore, a stopwatch to make sure you were within the proper time delay. Just more trivia for those who care. Jerry