riggergreg

They have already given permission for a Master Rigger to remove the RSL by saying they are the only ones allowed to remove it. Whats the problem?? As long as a master rigger removes the RSL, or documents that the RSL has been removed correctly, It is legal to jump, pack, etc. Oh, and it is an alteration, not a modification.. If they had not wanted it done, Then they should say NO ONE MAY REMOVE THE RSL. They did not nuff said

First off, Let me qualify myself. I am starting my 13th year as an FAA licensed rigger with over 3500 packjobs and over 180 documented saves. I've worked on rigs previously worked on from all over the world. I've been thinking on this for quite awhile and while it may sound like a slam against riggers, it is more to raise awareness of some problems I have seen and my opinion of what it means to be a rigger. Over the last few years, I've seen a lot of mistakes made by riggers, both in the field and by manufacturers. but more so in the last couple years. I don't know what the reason, Whether it's the testing is too easy for new riggers, riggers trying to do work they're not qualified to do, or just a careless attitude. I'm not implying that most riggers are this way, but there are a few that, for whatever reason, have made mistakes bad enough for me to finally post this. Some of the problems I've seen are as follows; I have found tools such as pull up cords, packing paddles, temporary pins, velcro protectors, and packing weights inside reserve containers. I have found foreign oblects packed in the reserve canopy such as rocks, branches, old rubberbands, money, and one time, even a dead mouse. I have repaired canopies and lines, due to velcro damage from freebags and AAD pouches when the velcro was not properly mated. I have found assemblies with toggles not secured, brake lines not run through the slider, loose links, and continuity problems. Just recently I found a Reflex container and a Precision Dash-M reserve, that had been packed regularly, without the mandatory service bulletins being performed. Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? There has been more, but you get the idea. As riggers, we are trusted and required to keep our customers, both skydivers and pilots, as safe as possible, by properly assembling, packing, and maintaining the parachute systems they depend on. We can't do this if we don't take the time to double check ourselves on the work we (and others) do. We should also be a large part of the education of our customers on the use, maintainance, and care of the equipment they use. As skydiving has gotten more popular over the last few years, I've seen more and more jumpers know less and less about the gear they are using. As riggers, We need to be more involved in the training process of new jumpers, and should continue the process even after the student continues on through their skydiving career. Give a seminar or a class to demonstrate just how everything works. Offer to let the customer watch you pack a reserve. Do a Q&A over a beer on Saturday night after jumping. Let them know if you have a problem with experience vs. canopy size. Be more proactive in the learning process. Some will pay attention, some will ignore you, but you just might make a difference. Again, this is not meant to slam anyone. It is just my thoughts lately and I'm tired of talking to myself about it.

Like Terry said, I hae a couple things I do, that will definetly identify my packjobs.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=38912&d=1

Glad you two worked it out and made it down safely. Your rigger must be proud [Greg told me once that he packs every reserve like it will be used, but hopes that none of them ever are. Sounds like a good philosophy to me. ] Glad to hear you paid attention

Have your rigger look at the risers. They should not be worn out after just 800 jumps. The toggle elastics are not that hard to replace.

I have to disagree with this statement. As a skydiving instructor, you should be able to teach all aspects of the sport, the first jump course, basic RW, advanced RW, canopy control and accuracy, night jumps, water training, and even gear inspections and packing. I know instructors that have a hard time landing in the main landing areas, cannot even pack their own parachute, or cannot even hook up a new main. The only real reason to have a D license is to become an instructor or get a Pro rating. I believe it should be a lot tougher to get than it is. Course, I think a B license is not enough for a coach rating either, so take my opinion as you will.

Every Manufacturer has a recommended method for packing their parachutes and most are in there owners manual. There are as many variations as there are skydivers and few are written anywhere. Pro packing is the most common method nowdays and like I said before, The variations are endless. Is there something in particular you were wondering about, or just curious about it all??

Staples?? Nails??

I wouldn't think it would be more than around $200. Oh, and get a new packer

That pin is only used on RSL equiped containers. We need something for non RSL rigs also

Got a rig in and the first thing I do is check the data card to see when it was last packed and by who, and all mods, SBs, etc. A previous rigger had written under comments, [I&R- straighten pin] I looked at the pin and sure enough, the pin was bent and settled just right in the grommet. I put a scale on the handle and pulled appx 30lbs to pull the pin. I have found over the years, that once bent the pin will almost always bend again. I replace ANY bent pin. Straightening and reusing will only cause problems down the line. Discuss....

I'm sure there has been colaboration between the container manfs. and the aad Manfs. over the years in deciding how and where to install the various aads. From the bulky old FXCs with push plates or pull plates, to the more sophisticated cypres and vigil, both manufacturers I'm sure, had to discuss methods and locations of installation. I don't know which aad you are talking about or which rig, But I'm sure it has been discussed at length.

Hey Terry, Call the rigger at Skydive Elsinore. I know I left a copy of the packing instuctions there when I left.

I have seen 3 bag locks caused by double stowing over the grommets. sometimes as they lines pull through the band, it will cause a large(fist) that will not pull through the grommet. I've seen this twice with #4 grommets and once with a #5. I recommend using smaller bands on the outside and change any bands that start to feel loose, even before they break.

I would say that the container manufacturer would know more about fit and function of the entire system than an aad manufacturer. Although they should collaborate on design and function, in the end, the container design is still the most important. You can use the container without an aad, but not vice-versa

I just don't understand why someone would jump a reserve that is smaller than what they are comfortable jumping as a main. In a reserve situation, conditions are usually less than ideal :re: low opening, off spot, mind racing, injury, etc. I'll grow into it, Hopefully, I'll never have to use it, But, It's always like new, are all reasons I've heard for this. Think about the worst possible scenario, and size your reserve accordingly...JMHO

You state that you are "competent" on the 170.. Why not fly it until you become an "expert" on the same canopy? You can learn all the basics of swooping on a canopy you are comfortable with. Too many folks think you can't swoop with a larger canopy, but learning to swoop is like any other canopy maneuver. The learning curve goes up if you don't have to learn the characteristics of another canopy while trying to learn new maneuvers. Just my 2 cents

3200+ repacks 172 documented saves

There should be a silver tag with a year on the side of the main unit. The service date is 4 or 8 years from the manufacture date. All info should be recorded on the packing data card or ask your rigger to do it on your next repack. Serial number Mfg date service date battery date

Other riggers who don't take the time to put relevent info on data cards, so I have to call the customer and argue about having to send in a cypres for service or change the batteries.

The Velocity is the only PD canopy that comes with the toggle loop preset. Don't know why, but all I've setup in the last year have been

I've never seen a bulletin on a sharpchuter. I know they are great canopies, both as mains and reserves

Hey Zoter, You just got some of the best advice you will ever get. Growing into a canopy is exactly what will get you hurt or killed. You should downsize at a slow pace and make sure you are comfortable with what you are on before going smaller. A demo program with supervised training is the only way to be safe. Don't get in a hurry. Slow and safe will keep you jumping for a long time.

There are a lot of variables in how determining the life of any canopy.Weather conditions(sunlight exposure) Ground conditions(grass, dirt, sand, salt water,such as coastal florida). Wing loading( the weight of the jumper vs canopy size).Packing conditions(Inside-airconditioned, outside-shaded vs nonshaded) all these variables will alter the life span of parachute material. I have jumped F-111 parachutes with over 2000 jumps, that was used and stored under ideal situations. I have also seen parachutes that were trash before 1000 jumps. By the way, F-111 is still used in many canopies. Most reserves are F-111.