ripcord4
-
Content
599 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Feedback
0%
Everything posted by ripcord4
-
I find it hard to believe you lose altitude more quickly under a high speed malfunction than you do at terminal velocity. Even a malfunctioned canopy provides drag to slow you down somewhat.
-
Spectre 210 main, PDR same size or close, Vector 3 with Skyhook, ProTec helmet, Alti 2 altimeter, Cypres AAD
-
Welcome aboard, Bob! If you are ever at DeLand / Z-Hills, look me up!
-
Skylord and the Hop 'n Pop Deal with Each Other
ripcord4 replied to skylord's topic in Safety and Training
Great story, Bob. Perhaps your talents are wasted pushing tin? Seriously, 5 K is NOT low for a hop'n'pop. I have a ton of them from 2,500' back in the day. Glad you are having fun heading for your "A". That's what it is all about. -
If you guys think corn is bad to land in, try sugar cane. Cane will cut you up bad enough to require stitches.
-
Wow! Those ads bring back some memories. Ahhh - the good old days.
-
Will a PD Spectre 210 - 230 fit in a GQ Security System III? I believe it will but would like to hear it from an expert. (I can't wait to hear the grief I'll get for this! LOL)
-
After reading all the replies to Saxboy over the past week or so, I am tending to have more sympathy with him. I too, have a "shortage of funds" problem so I can understand where he is coming from in that regard. Also, all the nasty comments, etc were/are out of line - he asked for advice and mostly received a ration of s--t. Saxboy, while I do not agree with your choice of the Stiletto 120, if that is what you want, that is what you should buy. Just be very, very careful and always remain aware that your canopy is just looking for a way to kill you. There is an old saying: "There are old skydivers and there are bold skydivers. There are NO old, bold skydivers." Be careful, my brother!
-
I have been following the wing loading discussion here and in another forum for the past day or two. I think we can all agree that a high, aggressive wing loading has the potential to ruin your day by turning you into a grease spot on the ground. All the posts are concerned with wing loadings in excess of 1:1 - let me go the other way - what about wing loadings LESS than 1:1? For example, I have a canopy that I have calculated the WL at .63:1 . I am 175#, the rig (MC-4, 370 sq. ft.) is 50# and I've allowed 10# for all the other stuff. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this low of a WL? Basically, I'm looking for the cost - benefit ratio, so to speak. What should I be concerned about? Any hints, tips or advice (other than not jumping the military rig, please) would be appreciated. Please disregard my jump numbers and license - I am just getting back into the sport after a 20 year layoff - I consider myself a definite "newbie" and need all the help I can get!
-
Some newbie questions on wingloading
ripcord4 replied to Orange1's topic in General Skydiving Discussions
I have been following the wing loading discussion here for the past day or two. I think we can all agree that a high, aggressive wing loading has the potential to ruin your day by turning you into a grease spot on the ground. All the posts are concerned with wing loadings in excess of 1:1 - let me go the other way - what about wing loadings LESS than 1:1? For example, I have a canopy that I have calculated the WL at .63:1 . I am 175#, the rig (MC-4, 370 sq. ft.) is 50# and I've allowed 10# for all the other stuff. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this low a WL? Basically, I'm looking for the cost - benefit ratio, so to speak. What should I be concerned about? Any hints, tips or advice (other than not jumping the military rig, please) would be appreciated. Please disregard my jump numbers and licence - I am just getting back into the sport after a 20 year layoff - I consider myself a definite "newbie" and need all the help I can get! -
Where does one look to find used tandem canopies?
ripcord4 replied to BlindBrick's topic in Gear and Rigging
There are MT-1XX's and MC-4 military freefall rigs available on e-bay. I recently bought - cheaply - an MC-4 that 18 jumps on the main - everything was like new and you get 2 identical canopies. I am not certain these would be advisable for Bridge Day, though. That's a lot of fabric to haul out at low airspeed. -
Yep, Senior rigger for round, chest reserves. Having all the manuals, etc at hand still does not equal having someone show you the proper procedures. Did you learn to pack from a book or did someone show you how a few times? There is a BIG difference from round to square, and as it will be my a** hanging under the canopy, I want to make certain I know what I am doing. And yes, learning at the DZ will probably be what happens, but I am looking for a local jumper that can spend a few hours in my backyard showing me the ropes without time pressure from being on the next load.
-
I would like to contact any jumpers in central Florida - Leesburg or Fruitland Park area - that would be willing to teach me to pack a square. I'm just returning to flight after years away from the sport and need to learn about packing the square canopy. Thanks, all! Larry
-
You are correct. You can go from reserve to main, but not the other way. You do have to lengthen the steering lines as the reserve risers are shorter than the mains. Change to a main bag and pilot chute and away you go.
-
Don't forget the MT-1XX and MC-4 military freefall rigs use the same canopy for both main and reserve. The d-bags are different, of course.
-
Alex, The MC-4 is MOST DEFINITELY legal to jump. This topic has been covered several times over the past month or so. Check "military gear" on page 4 and "MT-1XX" on page 5 of these postings. There are also several posts from October and November of 2003 covering this topic. You may also check FAR 105.43 Paragraph D, Section 2: "For the purpose of this section, an approved parachute is.....2. A personnel-carrying military parachute (other than a high-altitude, high-speed or ejection kind) identified by an NAF, AAF or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, OR ANY OTHER MILITARY DESIGNATION OR SPECIFICATION NUMBER. In short, the MC-4 and MT-1XX rigs are legal to jump and civilian riggers can re-pack the reserve. I have jumped both types and they will open at any altitude you feel comfortable opening them at - high or low. They are no different than any other canopy.
-
"I still think it sucks that I can't get the dialed in one from the manufacturer, or at least some ideas of what they found was a bad idea" Can you say "Liability issues"?
-
Bodkin has several definitions but two apply to parachutes: 1.) a pointed instrument for making holes in cloth - similar to an awl 2.) a thick, blunt needle for drawing ribbon, tape or line through a hem, etc.
-
I jump an MT-1XX (almost identical to an MC-4) and have had no problems with it. Yes, it is big, heavy and semi-ugly but as a rule, the price is right. The rig is definitely over-engineered for the sport environment but was not designed for that. The canopies are large, docile, very forgiving and AAD compatible It is really strong and YOU will fail before it does. Have at it, my friend and don't worry about what people say about a rig they have never seen, let alone have any experience with. It is indeed a cheap entry into the sport. Eventually you will want to progress to a smaller sport rig but in the meantime the military gear will serve you well.
-
This is not a "Dactyl - I owned one back in the late '70's. It was 240 sq ft Rogallo ParaWing made by Advanced Air Canopies. Guardian also made a slightly smaller version.
-
Guys'n'gals, I am in need of the military Tech Manual for the MT-1XX military freefall rig (not the MC-4). At the least, I need the TM number. If anyone can help, it will be gratefully accepted with my thanks!
-
Steve, Keep your eye on E-bay. There is occasionally an MC-1C (zero-P steerable T-10) listed for sale. The hard part will be to find a deployment sleeve - they are out there, but scarce.
-
I have been regularly jumping a MK I PC that I bought in 1967. It has never malfunctioned, blown up or any other non-desireable action. Conservatively, the canopy has 2,000 jumps on it and is limp as tissue paper (that's limp, not thin) but it works everytime the pilot chute hits the air. There is nothing inherently unsafe about rounds - main or reserve. That said, I get any "old" gear rigger and strength checked before anything. If you pay attention to what you are doing (PLF's) you will enjoy your PC for years.
-
The Swift + is a 175 sq ft 1993 canopy with no known openings on it.
-
I am 175 pounds, 5' 9' tall and 62 years old. The reserve is a Swift PLUS. As you can probably tell, I am returning to flight after years away and have a lot of "dumb" questions. I was not aware of the non-TSO'ed canopies. I'll check that very carefully!