mark

If the issue is what happens with the piece of closing loop remaining after it is cut, then there is no practical difference between the major loop-cutter AAD brands. In the U.S., the harness/container manufacturer is responsible for AAD installation (sewing in channels and pockets). This installation is not an alteration, since it appears on the TSO drawings as part of the approved configuration of the harness/container. If the harness/container is not AAD-ready, then a qualified person can obtain authorization for alteration by working through the local FSDO. I don't know of any AAD manufacturers who have obtained FAA authorization for alterations on their own behalf. Maybe, but I don't think it matters much. Riggers have always been responsible for the compatibility of assembled components. Mark

I'm sorry for my error earlier in this thread. As I read the change, tandems will also go to 180 days. 105.45(b)(2) establishes tandem reserve pack requirements "in accordance with Sec. 105.43(b) of this part." 105.43(b) is what was changed, so tandem reserve pack requirements (pack cycle, who can pack) change in synch by reference. Mark

Page 9 of the pdf says the change is only to single-harness, dual parachute systems, which excludes tandem systems. Also, the text of the proposed change (pages 20 and 21) addresses only 105.43; it does not include 105.45 tandem systems. We'll see when the final rule is published, but we may have a 2-tier system with a 120-day cycle for tandems, 180-day cycle for sport rigs. Mark

Sec. 65.125 Certificates: Privileges (a) A certificated senior parachute rigger may-- ... (2) Supervise other persons in packing any type of parachute for which that person is rated in accordance with Sec. 105.43(a) or Sec. 105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (b) A certificated master parachute rigger may-- [similar language as for senior riggers] It's right there: riggers may supervise only in accordance with 105.43(a) or 105.45(b)(1), both of which deal only with main parachutes. So, no supervising any reserve parachutes, for any reason. Just arguing. Not claiming it makes any sense. Mark

True, but it's worse than that. As the FAR's stand right now, the only legally supervised packs are those of main parachutes. Supervising any reserve pack job, for any reason, is not a rigger privilege. In other words, there is no way for an aspiring rigger to get the supervised packs he needs. it's a good thing the FAA has been ignoring that FAR. Mark

Almost, but not quite. There are no airworthiness standards for sport main parachutes. Parachutes removed from military service for whatever reason may still be serviceable as sport mains. For example, T-10s modified by cutting holes in the canopy and removing the anti-inversion net would not be airworthy by military standards, but have been and still are used as civilian mains. You might want to apply the MWO as an improvement to safety, but no FAR requires it. Mark

Something else to think about: the pack job doesn't turn into a pumpkin just because it's past midnight. If a "rigger" is willing to pencil-pack, you are probably safer with his pencil-pack than you are with his real pack. Mark

1998, Grain Valley, Missouri. Mark

I've packed one Odyssey with secondary riser covers, and the owner told me that it was an experimental (okay, "minor change") design. The design was similar to VSE Infinity, but did not fit as well because of the shape of the pilot chute well. Mark

Except that the exceptional pilot who knows there's a 10-way out first will turn on the light earlier so there's less wasted separation later. Mark

See attachment. This has happened, but not to me. I close my flaps in the correct order. BTW, Somebody please remind me to re-close these flaps before my next jump! Tomayto, tomahto. Mark

Dunno. Less likely to half-hitch around lines or each other during packing or deployment? Mark

New-style PD drawstrings come without tabs. Mark

Glidepath Cricket. Mark

We need a name for Skyhook-like devices. The full definition from PIA TS-135 (the specifications for proposed TSO-C23e) is: "an automatically releasable connection between the main parachute and the reserve deployment system which uses a malfunctioned main canopy to speed reserve deployment upon breakaway." Mark

I have seen similar damage to two other sets of risers. In both cases, the jumpers collapse their sliders and stow in slider keepers. The common denominators are Vectran lines and stainless grommets. I also saw melted risers when I tried Tandem Slinks™ with EZ-384s (stainless grommets). Mark

I wrote "Rapide" to distinguish from L-bar links, not to imply that Maillon links were particularly at fault. Mark

I recently came across a batch of new #5 Rapide links. A large proportion had tool marks in the area shown on Photo 1. In several cases, there was a raised barb, like a splinter forming on a piece of wood, as shown in Photo 2. The barb was sharp enough to draw blood (O+), so would have damaged lines or riser if put into service. Another batch of new #5 links had sharp burrs on the ends of the screw threads. Check yours! Cross-posted at the PIA rigger forum. Mark

The list is alphabetical. Mark I know it, just saving anyone the trouble of missing it. The point is, they are on it. We have to keep the heat up on those thieves! Other folks on the list include: Apple, Ebay, Ford, and Walmart. Mark

The list is alphabetical. Mark

I owned one. The pilot chute set up was much better than belly band: harder to mis-rig. And, IMHO, a much more natural throw than the half-twist back-hand throw required for ROL or BOC. Mark

Define "normal." The USPA web site lists a number of Coach Courses followed immediately by Instructor Rating Courses. Mark

I think you are right with respect to the likely presence of belly bands. However, I think he would have had trouble removing the belly bands from the chest packs. I'm looking at a T-10R, and there is exactly enough room under the Type-6 webbing on the back of the pack to route a flat piece of Type-8, -7, or -13. Not enough room to pull a snap through. So the snap would have to be unthreaded (or cut, if the end was folded and sewn, instead of seared, split, and sewn). Some sport chest packs had Type-17 (1") belly bands with alligator clips. The clips needed to be only strong enough to hold the pack in place during a style set or while the reserve deployed. If the reserve deployed, the large QAC snaps would take the load, not the alligator clips. I'm not familiar with NB-6 or NB-8, so maybe there is some place a belly band could hook. I don't think you could hook one end to the other. I don't see the advantage to tying a knot in webbing instead of using parachute cord to secure the money bundle. Mark

If he wore a parachute, it had to be a back pack. The chest packs are just that: a canopy, wrapped in an envelope (the chest container), with no harness. I do not recall any suggestion that there were harnesses supplied for the chest packs, i.e. something like "two back packs, two chest packs, and two harnesses for the chest packs." Only the back-type parachutes would have come with harnesses as a matter of course. Mark

You can use the front grommets to lock down the back grommets. But it is possible to have locks on rear risers -- the photo shows locks on Javelin risers. Off-set reduces bulk under the riser covers. Easier to do by removing the inserts to do the bartacks, then reassembling. Mark