SEREJumper

I sent the PM again. Anyways, I had an MKII layed out and only got half of it in the POD. I had an 1973 MKI (not short lined) in a fully packed pod in there and no way it going to close. I think the pictures make it look bigger than it is. So what now, I need to find a strato star! Hmm what about a 28'/35' LOPO? Probably to big if I cant get the MKI in there. I'll try tommorrrow. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Strat, I PM'd WGore, so hopefully he may have a lead on a manual. Not much history on it that I know. I bought it through a friend in the north east who has had it a while and it was just given to him. Thanks for the ideas on what canopies might fit. I sent you a PM as well. Thanks We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

The answer...Alpha Para-Equipment AL-1. Now that Nova pointed it out to me, the Poynters manual (pg. 189) does indeed show three POB. So seeing only 2 probably through you (and the rest) off a little bit. I'm guessing that since it was build in '75 and according to the manual the piggy back was at the height of popularity, maybe this is a special or smaller designed container, since in no way would this hold a para-commander and there is no adjusting the container to fit a wide range of canopies as Poynter suggests. I believe this container was built for a strato-star from other pictures I've seen. What do you guys think? Anybody got a manual?!? Thanks for playing! Photos of the labels and of the ripcords and D-bag. http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e280/Gearpics/Vintage%20Container/ We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Good guess...but not a Fastbak. I will say that poynters manual has a different stye ripcord showing and with 2 of the same type provided with the rig it would be hard to say they shouldn't go together, although not impossible. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Not a Rod's Rebel either. I've uploaded some better pics of the ripcord housing and changed the orientation of the ripcord (still looks a little tight!). I think that might be the correct position, since it is away from the body, as well as their is a small ware sport on the ripcord that matches up with the reserve v-ring under the capwell. On the routing of the ripcord housing, I am 99% sure this was made at the factory as an inboard housing. This container looks to be in like new condition and only had a few jumps on it I would imagine. The webbing loop for the ripcord housing that is sewn into the right main lift web (beneath the capwell) has not been altered. If there was another loop on the outboard side I could see them giving you a choice, but it's only on the inside. Same with a cable housing retainer higher up. You are correct, but not that small. http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e280/Gearpics/Vintage%20Container/ I'll spill the beans tonight if no one has guessed it yet. Although temporarily stumping you guys was pretty interesting, you've forgotten more than I know! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Since Steve1 has brought up a good question on thread through hardware. I will say that this gear was made SEPT 30 1975. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Strat, You are correct, not a stylemaster or a mini system. It's not Greene star and I don't think it is a Jerry Baumchen build as far as I know. I wasn't sure about the ripcord postion/ orientation. It actually came with 2 plastic ripcords, one angled and one flat, both 3 pin, so I assumed they were for the rig. I tried them both in either outboard or inboard postions and the inboard postion with the chest mount with either handles was almost covered up completely. Thats the first time I've seen an inboard pull actually. I knew someone whould clear it up for me. Poynters manual actually shows it in the outboard position for this system...? It may be hard to tell from the pics, but what is different on the back of the rig is that the container and reserve don't have the traditional pack opening spring bands. The container and reserve opening system are elastic straps that are sewn on the left and hooked on the right. This harness/ container is in Poynters manual. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Should have taken a picture I have never heard of that happening, but my reaction would be the same as yours! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Nope, looks like it though. I think some thing on the back is very different than a pioneer. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Ok, here is one for you guys. Who made this harness/container? (I know). Looking for a manual for it as well. Bonus points...who's seal is on the reserve ripcord? (LSL?) http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e280/Gearpics/Vintage%20Container/ We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Howard, Thats pretty good, I didn't read it all the way, but I did use a few of the "try this" activities and they seemed to understand thing a little better. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Try this for a start, it has a few ideas in the article to try out. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-the-parachute-work.html We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

+1 We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Closest place for you: http://westplainsskydiving.com/ We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

US Postal Service does not do slow boat anymore from what I have been told by the people behind the counters. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Pack it the same as you did at Yuma. Remember a 9 cell will have a few more lines to count than a 7 cell. Either PRO of Flat packing, if you are buying a new all ZP canopy, get ready for some slippery fun. A hybrid will be easier like a PD Silhouette or similar. Get with an experienced flat packer to show you a few tricks to get it in the bag and have fun! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

This dead Mike? http://www.deadmike.com/indexNS.html We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

If you are in the Active/Guard/ Reserve Army or Airforce or Honorably Discharged veterans (any service) residing in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, check out The Army and Air Force Mutual Aid Association http://www.aafmaa.com/ Cheapest I have found and skydiving is no problem. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Used by theUS military, mainly the Air Force and Navy. We used them on the MC-4 military parachute system and I'm sure they were used on the old MT series. It only works off barometric pressure, like an altimeter. The Army primarily used the AR-2 (AR Square) AAD. IMHO the FF-2 was more reliable than the AR-2 and rarely malfunctioned. My first 100 or so freefalls I used the FF-2 until our unit got the military cypres. I did have a unknown premature activation (while still in the aircraft, on a 23,000ft jump about 15 minutes into a 45 min pre-breathing of oxygen, cruising around at 10,000 waiting to go up to the top. Obviously I couldn't jump, so I ended up being stuck on oxygen for about an hour and a half while the others jumped and I got to ride the plane down until we got below 10,000. Still don't know what caused it, everything was set correctly. If I remember right, the manufacture stated that after 40 activations on the unit, it had to be inspected by a qualified rigger (opened up). I believe it also had to be sent in every 4 years for a factory inspection. In the USAF at least, all FF-2's were recalled back in '05-'06 timeframe because of some unauthorized individuals doing the inspections/pencil whipping them. The FF-2 was connected to the MAIN pin only (straight pin, ripcord style) and activated on every jump, even if you pulled your main at he right altitude. After the jump, the individual jumper had to "log" the activation in FF-2's book to keep track. Procedures for using it were: 1. Calculate the activation altitude with the "whiz wheel" and set the dial on the face of the unit to the appropriate number (usually with a coin). 2. With the red lolly pop inserted, cock the device with either the cool cocking devise (which we never had) or place the end of the cable under your boots with your feet together and pull up until in locks in place. Ensure the cocking window has the white bar lined up. 3. Insert the twist locking mechanism into the "navy stiffiner" on the closing flap of the MC-4 rotating it in place to secure it, nsert the FF-2 housing into the side pocket. 4. There were a couple ways to put the end of the cable around the pin. Do one of those. 5. On the way to altitude normally @ 6000ft, twist and pull down on the red lolly pop to arm the FF-2. Wait 5 seconds to ensure it didn't activate. Make sure you have your back to the side of the aircraft in case to does (spring loaded pilot chute). If you have to air land, re-insert the red lolly pop back into the FF-2, or it will fire. Disclaimer: It has been over 3 years since I have set/jumped one. I might have left something out. Contact the manufacture, make sure it is inspected/certified for use, and get proper training (not this DZ.com thread) if you plan to use one. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I have no doubt of your skill. It's the lack of skill I would be worried about when their 1st round ride is a reserve. Not that many people would/take the time and money to get as good as they need to be. I'm a round lover though We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Accuracy competition started long before square canopies were on the scene. Those who could not spot were 'at the mercy of the winds;" those who could spot used the winds to their advantage. I was speaking of having a mal and then using a round reserve, in which your spot is going to go to crap anyways, since you are more than likely going to be lower than your intended opening altitude. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

If your DZ is around a lot of population, even a steerable round reserve may not give you a chance to at least pick your landing spot. You are pretty much at the mercy of the winds. Having buildings and power lines beneath you and a round above you is not a good combo. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

What ever solution your rig manufacturer recommends to clean/wash your container will get it clean. Yeah, probably best to get it done during a repack. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Totally agree with above. Siting up on to knees after pull will help greatly in getting rid of the burble. I know guys doing hop and pops every week using this technique. Although they are using 28' rounds with MA-1's. Practice the exit technique on a full altitude jump with your modern gear first. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I have no affiliation with the seller/ and or product here, but he has some for $20 shipped here on DZ.com http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=72238;d=1 We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar