JerryBaumchen

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Everything posted by JerryBaumchen

  1. Sorry Sparkles, You can 'TSO' a set of main risers. You can 'TSO' any parachute component if you want to go through the testing and all else that the certification requirements entail. Back in the day, Pioneer 'TSO'd' the ParaCommander by putting a longer than normal bridle between the canopy & the pilot chute. I'm thinking that the normal bridle would not meet the opening time req'ments. Also, it is illegal (in this country) to placard something with a TSO label if it is not actually 'TSO'd.' That is if anyone checks.
  2. Hi Wartload, The housing was NOT secured by a 'blue fabric' anything. What you are seeing is the T-12 webbing that was wrapped around the ripcord housing, tacked to the housing & was sewn to the yellow tubular, which formed the RSL. When the risers departed, the T-12 pulled the housing up and away (as you can see, the other end of the housing is held at the container end by 4 snaps), the 4 snaps 'unsnapped' and this pulled the ripcord pins out of the the cones.
  3. John, you have it exactly. Also, well shown in Sparky's photos; you can see the 'boss' that needed to be drilled out/removed.
  4. John, I'll try to describe this for you (but understand, it is like trying to describe a cloud to someone over the phone). The 'original' blast handle (and I do not remember what it's original use was for) had an aluminum "T" shaped handle. At the end where the cable came out of the handle was a chromed ferrule that was shaped to snap onto the end of a military-type ripcord housing. At the center of this ferrule the aluminum had a boss that came up (the ripcord cable came out of this boss) to center this thing in the housing. The problem was that the boss caused some very hard/impossible pulls. So, for sport use, the handle was changed to where this boss was removed by drilling it off. Do you understand what I am trying to convey to you?
  5. In first photo I noticed the Speed Links used to attach the reserve risers to the harness. Bad Ju-Ju there; those guys are known to fail.
  6. Sorta looks like the type of stuff that Para-Flite builds.
  7. Correction: Where I said Type 6 it should read Type 7. Further proof that I should not be keyboarding before my morning coffee. Apologies to all.
  8. Beezy, Another option is to sew the outer sheath to the d-bag. This is a design that Cliff Schmucker came up with many years ago. Works great with NO wear.
  9. This is a personal comment so please take it that way. Back in '68 Strong Entr ( SE, Inc ) came out with a StyleMaster rig. It had a Solid-Split Saddle. I had one and it is still the most comfortable saddle I have ever sat/hung in. I used the design on a number of my rigs for quite a few years ( we really didn't worry about the TSO-thing back in those days ). It was built of Type 6 and was just like a split saddle but it had another piece of T-6 going across, under your butt like a solid saddle would (I am sure that many of you have no experience with a solid saddle, having only lived in the split saddle world). You then had the option of using the harness as it came or you could cut the piece of T-6 off and have a true split saddle. I have just written to SE to see if they might still have some dimensional information on this saddle. I agree with your thinking that would be a nice option for those that would like it; doesn't seem to force it onto anyone who doesn't want it. Just my $.02 worth. PS) and while laying bed this morning deciding whether to get up or not, I figured how to make the leg comfort pad slip onto the Solid-Split Saddle. I do enjoy the mental challenges; it's that old engineer in me.
  10. Try BodySport USA. I think they are at 800-bodysport.
  11. Hi Rigging65, I meant the mfr of the parachute equipment; the term 'parachute' being used generically. And I've got 34 years in as an Engineer. I think we actually agree on this issue.
  12. IMO, opinion only the parachute designer can determine the proper opening sequence. Everyone else are just spectators to the design.
  13. Fablok Mills, Inc. 140 Spring St. Murray Hill, NJ 07974 908-464-1950 ww.fablok mills.com
  14. I'm going from memory here but I recall that back in the 60's Skydiver Magazine had an article on the 'original' jumpable Rogallo wing. Loy Brydon was jumping it and it had been glued/bonded on the seams. The idea is old, very old. The problems, IMO, are in the production methods/costs & customer acceptance.
  15. When doing outside corners/curves I loosen the binder slightly (so it is not rigidly fixed to the table) so I can push the binder somewhat to my left while keeping the material pushed to the inside of the folded tape. This always seems to work for me. As an alternative, you buy me a ticket, provide the food and I'll come over and teach you how to do it. No wages necessary. Yes??????
  16. Two things I remember from Dan's presentation at the '05 symposium: It was reinforced with another layer of fabric. The canopy weighed less than the lines. Also, he was jumping regularly. Seemed to work for him.
  17. Wow, I get to teach Bill Booth something; a red letter day. Bill, the X-Bow used snaps at the container end only. The housing went away with the risers and the snaps had to 'undo' for the housing to seperate. The Para-Twin (Pioneer's piece of junk) used a Navy plate that held the housing permanently, no RSL. Jerry
  18. Hi Bill, The X-Bow did not have snaps at the ripcord end of the housing. It sat into a webbing loop attached to the chest strap; I think it was at the chest strap. But I do know about the webbing loop; later changed to an elastic loop. BTW, I had Dan Abbott as an overnight guest here a couple of weeks ago; lots of stories.
  19. I paid $25 for the only one I ever owned. It cost more than that to have it modified for steerability.
  20. Hi there Froggy, Let me take you back in time a little; I know because I was there (so was Pop). What you have is what we called a 'LoPo' and it is what was called a Diamond Pattern. Take another look and each panel; they are somewhat diamond shaped. The photo that Wartload attached is of ParaCommenders (PC's in our day) in what we called a Checkerboard Pattern. Look closely and you will see that the panels are more square shaped; thus the checkerboard. Now, with all that, there will be a quiz at the end of the class.
  21. Rob, My memory is that the Strong system was developed & being sold prior to the Booth system being on the market. I think without a drogue at that time. As far as I can remember, Jamey Woodward at Issaquah was one of the very first to put tandems to use on a very regular basis. Now someone may have been before him, but I don't know about. I also have a tape somewhere of Jerry Rouilaird (sp?) doing tandems in the Dallas, TX area for a local tv show. Anyone have any other memories on this?
  22. Mark, Any update on the shipping of the 269; or are you still out cleaning up after Katrina? Jerry
  23. Static line story) Ted Mayfield ran drop zones for nearly forty years here in Oregon. His favorite static line story (he swears it is true) was this real macho student who 'knew' everything in the class and simply would not pay attention. So finally up they go in the Cessna, Ted & 3 s/l'ers. The macho guy being the last student out. Ted gets him out on the step and gives him the GO. He would not budge, so Ted kicks him off of the step. He now is hanging from the strut with a death grip. Ted reaches out and starts pounding on his hands. The student finally drops off but then grabs the step and and is now hanging from that. So Ted stomps on his hands with his feet and the student finally drops away and everything opens OK. Of course, through all of this the student ends up about 1 1/2 miles off the DZ. An hour or so later he walks back in with the gear. Ted asks him how it went and he says that it was great but it sure is hard on your hands.