masterrigger1

Lou, I thought about this for a couple of days.... I do not think responding to direct question is advertising. If that were in fact the case, then has been a lot of that going on here for years, You will notice in this thread, all of my posts were replies to a question and at no time was pricing involved, Also, PM's have been used during this thread. I do want to thank you however, for the professionalism in the writting/content of your post regarding this BTW. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I agree! I just wanted to point it out to those looking for this stuff though... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Anyone want this stuff? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380377959513&category=106980&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619 belonged to Harold Davis D-137... BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

We are going to install new needle bars, new hook assembles, adjust and time bobbin case openers, install new timing belts and learn how to properly set the feed dogs to the both the work and needle plate. If you can do the above, you can rebuild a machine. But to answer your question, yes in a piece-mill fashion. The other one is how to properly build line sets..... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If I recall correctly it was a Sunday..... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes and Jim too IIRC! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Thanks John in a very big way for doing that! Blue Skies Ted! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Maybe you should try mine! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You must be reading my mind! I am looking to offer a couple of different classes starting about about the first week of December. One of those will be sewing machine repair. I have a couple of people interested so far, but really need 2-3 more to make it worth my while. I am leaving for NZ to do the above first though. Dates would be December 9-11. Anyone else interested?? BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The coating that we use is a molten Spectra with a colored UV inhibitor. We have been doing this for about 10 years on both HMA and Vectran. The very first "coated" line that we made up was a pepermint colored 580 Vectran. We coated that line material for people that were jumping in dirty enviroments like the desert. I was really impressed about the service life of the coated lines over non-coated ones and made the decision to offer both to the public. The reason that the lines last longer is very simple. The coating wears first. So, If it takes 50-100 jumps to start wearing the coating down to the virgin line material, this would be 50-100 jumps the virgin line material has not be exposed to, thus an additional 50-100 jumps added to the life of the lines. As far as the strength of Vectran vs Technora,...Well Technora always wins as you get into the smaller braids. This is why we offer coated Technora for Comp Line sets and have had really good experience with them. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=3273126;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mike, This is absolutely heartbreaking news! He was a great Mentor to many and I was glad to have know him. He was aways one of my favorite people to run some of my ideas by. My sincere condolences to all, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Good question! I have no idea... Also, remember that the B-12 was allowed to have a pull force up to 28 lbs also. I would have to look it up but i think it was the only military rig to allowed that high of a pull force. The NB-6 could be also included, but I simply do not remember for sure. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jerry, Roger that! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jerry, I do not think many would disagree with that statement, but why it is not working is the question at hand. I would have to say in this case (packing of mains)it is: (a) failure to know the regs (b) failure to follow the regs (c) or all the above Agreed! But the PIA rigging committee and USPA are mostly responsible for the situation that we are faced with now. In case you are not aware, the PIA and USPA pushed hard for this AC-105-2D to pass. They pushed so hard in fact that someone, inside the chain of the FAA, "forgot" to run the document (AC-105-2D) through the full spectrum of the legal department before publication. This, among other things, resulted it being pulled from publication which means it can not be used at this very moment for anything legally. This means training, testing of rigger applicants, reference material,etc... The PIA and USPA are also trying to push airworthy, supervised reserve pack jobs through the AC. That alone is a problem. 1. An AC cannot change the Regulations. In order to change to airworthy, supervised reserve pack jobs, a NPRM has to be presented and published. 2. The people that are trying to push it through with just the AC either do not have a clue or they are just try to skirt around the NPRM, or both. 3. The FAA is aware that we are not generally complying with the regs setforth for mains. So why in the world would they ever consider supervised reserve repacks "for Use"? I am assuming that is pointed directly at me! Yes, I may not be from the FAA but I can assure you that what is posted here is pretty much from the horse's mouth. (once removed anyway) Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The definition listed in Part 105 pretty much gets rid of any rogue interpretation with the "observes" verbage. See below:(from 105) Direct Supervision means that a certificated rigger personally observes a non-certificated person packing a main parachute to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly, and takes responsibility for that packing. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

...Love mine and have yet to have any complaints from the numerous ones that I have sold! ...but I could be biased On a serious note, the people that have them, love them. My 30-Day money back guarantee has never come into play because of that.. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Clicky http://tonybr.tripod.com MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No. The channel is a AirTec thing. Unless John Sherman has changed his mind, the channel is not authorized for use on the Racer H/C. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here is another link from AOPA's website with a couple of really nice photos: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/219466/20110925/wingsuit-dive-jeb-corliss-stuntman-mountain-cave-arch-china-tienman-mountain.htm BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here is one of the greatest Zig-Zag Machines ever built ....if in fact it is a 265. ...and I believe it is.... I have one here in the shop and sews like butter! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Durkopp-Flatbed-Industrial-Sewing-Machine-/260849188270?pt=BI_Sewing_Machines&hash=item3cbbd2bdae Hope someone can make use of it. Retail on this is usually $850-$1150 in the market today. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jerry. I had replied (at least I thought I had) yesterday to this post! Anyway, I agree with you also. That is IF the H/C manufacturer has the installation written into their program and also has some kind of receipt/inspection program for the AADs. The last time I checked, there was not one H/C manufacturer in compliance with this fully. Take for example, Mirage Systems. They actually have a document that states in public, that they do not take responsibilty for the AAD, only the provisions for the AADs (pockets, channels,etc). This would be like Cessna Aircraft Co,stating that they approve the bolts and flanges for a propeller to fit on, but do not approve or want to have anything to do with the propeller. ....Then the intended prop is then made by "ACME PROP CO" which holds no type of certification or TSO for their prop. I believe everyone would agree that the prop, if installed, would not be legal, Cessna would not have the right to give out instructions for the props maintenance or care, and ACME could not dictate to Cessna instructions for installation or care either. AADs are no different in this case. Both the H/C manufacturers and the AAD manufacturers want to rule the throne, but fail to step up to the plate and make the installations completely legal by writting them into compliance or obtaining a certification of sorts. Right now, what probably needs to happen is for someone to come up with an approved STC or field approval for AAD installation to make them completely legal. What's funny is that if someone did that, they could make the service life and maintenance schedules of the AADs whatever is agreed upon with the FAA in their written program. That could bring back a lot of outdated Cypres'....Legally! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, I never stated that it was withdrawn as it wll be re-written and replaced as AC-105-2D. It is just not published and it needs to be "published "(available to the general public and the FAA personel) to be used. Which it is not at this time. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bill, I agree with you completely, but as it stands right now there isn't a current, published AC-105 to speak of. They are working on it though! I do wonder why USPA or the PIA is not speaking of this! Terry, can you clue us in on that point? BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Let's see if anyone can corectly name the sewing machines in the pictures in post #1. First picture- 1.Singer 269W11 or 269W8 Bartacker 2.Singer 112W115 or 112W140 Second picture (back to front) 1.Consew 226R 2.Singer 17W1 or Singer 17W15 3.Singer 31-15 How close am I? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I hate to break it to you Dave, but the Batwing came out BEFORE the Stiletto. About a year or more before the Stiletto.... I still have the old magazines with the ads, "It's Coming" and had a shadow of a bat on the page. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com