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Everything posted by mark
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Hutch and Chip Falls are both open weekends. Chip Falls has a slightly more elastic definition of jumpable weather. PM me for details. Mark
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I can't speak to the drop-test mods, but the production square-compatible Wonderhogs had a bungee hesitator loop that held the reserve container closed until bridle extension. IIRC, they also used very short closing loops mounted on the bottom reserve flap instead of the continuous loop (like ParaPhernalia still uses on Softies) used for round-equipped Wonderhogs. You're right about manufacturers going to friction-fit instead of hesitator loops, and I think that's when the bridle stopped being effective as a bag-launcher. The only manufacturer I know still using a hesitator loop is SSK, and then only if you can sweet talk Karen into building just one more one-off. Mark
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The wide bridle and freebag were originally touted as anti-horseshoe devices. (We used rubber O-rings instead of rubber bands on the bag, too, before there were "safety stows." We've come a ways!) The bridle by itself (in a horseshoe configuration) does not have enough drag to launch the bag; Bill Booth has some interesting video to prove it. A deployment device of some kind (frap wrap, raeper, diaper, Reuter(sp?) wrap, POD, bag, etc.) that allows line stretch before canopy inflation results in more orderly openings, fewer malfunctions and more comfort. Not all square reserves require freebags. The Pioneer X-210R was optionally diaper-deployed, for example. A freebag reduces to nearly zero the chance of a pilotchute-over-the-nose type malfunction. Mark
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If you start with a correctly assembled canopy, it is mathematically -- topologically -- impossible to create a step-through that results in one pair of risers (and its lines) straight and the other pair tangled. To create a "one-sided step-through" you have to disconnect risers or lines. Mark
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The composite fabric parachute shown by Atair/CobaltDan at the PIA Symposium was made of remarkable stuff. One reason why it isn't being more widely used is its cost. Right now, the longest piece being made is about 10 meters, about 30 feet. Additionally, if you want to take advantage of the strength from strand orientation, strand layout for rib pieces must be customized for each rib when the fabric is being manufactured -- the strands need to radiate from the planned line attach points, the way reinforcing tape is currently sewn on ripstop (F-111 and ZP) ribs. Also, it doesn't dye well. You'd run foul of the fashion police. Mark
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I just ordered batteries today by e-mailing info@sskinc.com. I know they got the order, because I've already gotten the UPS automated e-mail with the promised delivery date. Great customer service! Mark
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what goes along with getting a job as a packer??
mark replied to Terminal-V's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
75K = 1500 jumps x $50 net per jump, i.e. after depreciation, rigging and other maintenance, and, of course, main packs. Mark -
E.g. the Spanish Fly (more interesting for its internal hardware). The dacron ripcord ran through a fabric channel to a straight pin more commonly used on pull-outs. Most dacron suspension line is more than adequate to meet the 300#/3-second ripcord strength test. 1000# Spectra seems like overkill at first, but given the short length there's no great benefit to using a lighter weight, and the heavier weight should take more abuse before failing. Also, I doubt folks would trust a skinny 525# micro-line ripcord even if it were TSO'd. I'd like to be able to extract the ripcord for inspection. That means the ripcord could get extracted entirely during an emergency deployment. What's the plan for re-threading it? Mark
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Check Mike Gruwell's Mirage packing tips at http://www.chutingstar.com. In particular, fold the pilot chute fabric so as much as possible is under the bottom flap, minimizing the bulk under the side flaps. Mark
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CYPRES 1 Batteries (Was: cypres 2 maintainence price announced at PIA)
mark replied to tdog's topic in Gear and Rigging
What happens if your motorcycle battery gets wet or leaks? Mark -
Actually, it does work (minus vouchers) since that's exactly what Mirage is doing. You send your rig to Chuting Star, Mike does the work, then Mike bills Mirage. Mark
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I agree with you on this: A rig manufacturer would save money and owners would save time if a competent local rigger did the work and the rig manufacturer paid the rigger. I just don't see a good way for manufacturers to ensure they're getting what they pay for. When an owner pays, he may not know immediately if he's getting way he pays for, but he does know where to go if he finds out later the job wasn't done right. He has a good chance of getting his money back, and the local grapevine keeps track of who is a good rigger and one who is struggling. A manufacturer would know who they sent a check to, but I don't think they'd pursue anyone for $10 or $20. If I were managing the national SB pay-out, though, I'd be resistant to paying twice for the same rig. How would you handle that situation? Mark
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So the owner would pay to have it done right the second time if it wasn't done right the first time? What would be the best way for a new jumper, with around 20 or 30 jumps, to supervise me as I modify his Mirage? Would he recognize a job done right? Mark
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I've seen a number of SPSB 03032000 Rev B's incorrectly done. How would you monitor quality control? Mark
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Plus you could make it detachable, using clips like for tandem passengers. That way if you had to use it, you could just grab a new one from a buddy and continue to jump your regular harness and main. And if you closed it with velcro, you could probably engineer it so that it wouldn't have to have a ripcord you could lose. Also, if one side came loose during deployment, the other side should stay fastened well enough for you to find out about rotational stability. Mark
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I was discussing techno music with a military intelligence guy. "Part of American culture," he said. I agreed. "Have another jumbo shrimp," I said. Mark
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If you think manufacturers should pay the cost of SBs and ADs, then you are also asking for the cost to be shifted from current owners to future owners. Who should pay the cost for SBs and ADs that apply to orphan rigs? Finally, if the problem that led to an SB or AD is a result of poor rigging (as the background of Mirage PSB-1204 suggests), perhaps it isn't too far-fetched to required the rigger to fix the problem. Except on my rig, which I'll do myself, thanks! Mark
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At the PIA Symposium: I've spoken with Jeff and Justin. Justin still plans to make a clarifying post, but has been really busy here. However, the official Mirage position is that any Master Rigger or foreign equivalent, suitably equipped, can do the mod -- which is exactly what the PSB says. Mark
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I tried converting a Strato-Star into a Strato-Cloud by adding cells to the outside. I made the extra cells from F-111 instead of the heavier 1.55oz fabric used in the 'Star and 'Cloud, and I left the stabilizers where they were since I didn't want to pick the stitches and sew them on again. When I was done, I had a canopy that packed and flew like a Strato-Cloud, at a time when the bottom had just fallen out of the used Strato-Cloud market because of new and much better canopies (Cruiselite, Pegasus). I figured up the time and money I had invested -- buying a regular Strato-Cloud was more cost-effective. Who was offering the mod in Parachutist? Mark
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The procedures are in a separate pdf document on Mirage's website. Sorry I couldn't make it clicky. Mark
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Para-Phernalia is not one of the container manufacturers selectable for a classified ad. Although he isn't making Northern Lites any more, Dan is still making Softies, one of the more common pilot emergency rigs. Could you add Para-Phernalia to the list, please? Thanks, Mark
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I have 600 jumps on my HMA-line X-VX, about 300 on my HMA-line X-FX; I don't expect either set to need replacing any time soon. The Vectran lines I had previously went about 700 jumps before I started getting concerned. Mark
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The thinner webbing frequently found on the rear risers is strong enough. The thicker webbing on the front risers is more than strong enough for risers, but is the same piece as the main lift web (the front part of your harness), and needs to be strong enough for that. Also, the thicker webbing may continue lower to form the leg strap, so needs to be thick for the friction adapter (leg strap adjuster) to grab and keep from slipping. There are other places in your harness where thinner webbing is probably used. If you look under the reserve risers, you'll see a piece of webbing that goes diagonally over your shoulder down to the middle of your lower back. And there is another piece that goes laterally around your back from one hip to the other. Both of these take less stress, so can be made of lighter materials. Not all reserve risers are made from different thickness materials. On a Dolphin, both front and back risers are from lighter Type 8. And I recently packed another rig (Talon 3?, I don't recall exactly), where both were from heavier Type 7. Mark
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Most manufacturers offer B-12, quick-eject or step-in. If you had to use your round emergency parachute on a windy day, you'd be grateful for quick-ejects as long as you remembered to undo your chest strap first. Mark
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You want the temp pin to be softer than the grommets. Mark