masterrigger1

Jerry, Thanks for the reference, but I try NOT to work on sewing machines anymore than I have to... The combination of the Spring Rods on the clamp and a larger needle will make the material float when you sew heavier material. The ones (spring Rods) we had to put on your machine were made in China, not too good, and they were all that we could find at that time. The original spring rods were made of good, sturdy metal whereas these from China just do not work as well. I do have several original parts in house that he will need. Some are very hard to find. That machine was a 28 stitch unless someone has converted it over to something else. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, Just to be technically correct. It is AFS-630.. The Designee division is AFS-640 to which the DPREs (we) come from. I am forwarding all my data to them tomorrow. I will include you as well. Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Also, Terry Urban can fill some of the blanks if he would. I am busier than a one-armed monkey trying to climb a 200 foot tree! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chris, It went really well! We had two representatives from AFS-630 here to discuss the issues at hand and a well rounded gallery. First part of the meeting was to identify that they/we had a real problem. Second part was to identify how to fix the test in the least amount of time and effort. Third part was to prevent this from happening again. I think we have the first two in the bag and the third looks promising.I am submitting some info to them tomorrow for their review. Hopefully, we will move along swiftly on this thing. We had a good turnout even though we had snow coming down. (Yes, ...in South Carolina, someone please find that Gore guy and let him know to let up on that global warming thing... I am freezing down here!) I do want to thank every one that came for their support. I also want to thank everyone that wrote letters, called or did whatever to support this meeting. The rigging community really needed this meeting and without the support of everyone would have been meaningless. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Dave, I have to diagree with you on this one. Anytime that the Pilot chute is being towed, it is a P/C in-tow. That P/C was being pulled along for a few seconds. P/C hesition is the time before is it is presented into the airstream and actually inflating fully. i.e. rolling around on your back and then taking off into the airstream. Like stated before a longer bridle will make the difference and also the P/C is too small for that system. It needs about a 30-32' P/C on that system to resolve the problem. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ian, That is exactly why I wrote the first two sentences in my reply to you! ...and the same goes for the 3rd sentence! The jump numbers will be different for every jumper. If you take care of these or any other lines, they will last longer than if you do not. That is the reality. Back to the point, the small RDS rings cause excessive line wear. So if you use them, be prepared to change line sets frequently. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mike, If you start the thread I will add to it. I just do not have the time today....gotta work! and yes I will post a picture of the DBag. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ian, The pilot needs to educate himself with Technora line wear problems and their specific areas of interest. Then be dedicated to changing the lines when needed. Just like Mike stated, jump numbers will be different for everyone. Also, These lines are not always broken. they are sometimes cut by improper packing and tension knots. The doubling of the rubber bands are usually the culprit. See the attached photos. This was a brand new line set. The guy had a bag lock that finally cleared, resulting in a one line tension knot that cut throough all of these lines including one 525lb Dacron lower control line. If you want to make your lines last longer, simply install 1" elastic stow loops down the center (two sides) of the DBag and use a packing hook to stow them. The lines will last a whole lot longer AND you will have cleaner deployments. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You Betcha! I have a quiz for you guys. Which line in the photo is PD "300" ? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mike, There are other variables as well. Most of the "new" rings are too light, the coating wears off. The result leaves a sharp transition were the coating and base metal begin and end. The light rings will flutter which makes this even worse. See rigging 1 004 photo. These lines only had about 50 jumps on them since new. This was 50 jumps on both a new canopy and new rds with light weight rings. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Also, anyone that would like to forward comments regarding the FAA written test can submit them to me before Tuesday March 02, 2010. I will present them to the FAA during the meeting on your behalf in the letter's original form. Please write a brief history about yourself (rigging wise) and point out specific questions or areas of testing that you like or dislike. You can forward them to me at skyworksparasvc@aol.com Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

So with the past statistics or averages, you should have one or two that will be eligible to take the O&P. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Did anyone notice that the TI's left foot got into the reserve lines during deployment at about 3:50? Looks like a no Skyhook rig. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ralph, We would be happy to do it for you if you like. It is a pretty simple operation. Contact Ray also, I am just giving you a second option in case you do not want to deal with the "across the nation" shipping. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

We are hosting a meeting with members of the FAA regarding the Parachute Rigger Written Test. The meeting will be located at my facility on 02 March, 2010 starting at 0900 hrs. Anyone that is planning to attend needs to notify me by February 24, 2010. We will be having a Brunch and I need a head count for it. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

While I agree that a senior rigger can do repairs with a sewing machine, They still have to be within the regulations. The rigger must know his or her limitations and only work within the privilages that he or she has. A manufacturer such as PD may state who can do what, but it is still up to the individual rigger to know his or her limitations. They are not always right. Basically they can not "upgrade" a senior rigger certificate simply by putting out a statement as such. Also, Poynter has several mistakes in his manual and that is one of them. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Absolutely correct! But, I would call it an alteration instead of a major repair. When that P/C- Freebag assembly was manufactured it was considered a single unit assembly as it was sewn together. Changing it to a two part assembly makes it a alteration by the FAA's own definition of an alteration. See AC-105-2C Paragragh 8, 8(a), and 8(b)(1). BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

They own several STC's which are "pre-approved" Mods which they will sell to anyone. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Now, there's an idea! Let's see: 1. Remove rear engine - discard 2. Change front engine out to a Walter Turbo-Prop 3. Add Tail Gate door in Rear You now have a mini-tailgate aircraft... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Pops, The company now operating as Aerodyne has always had what is know to be the 4.0 Mod , so they have no need to manufacture a "Pre-4.0" line set. Also the ONLY difference in the line set is that the inside UCL is longer by "X" inches. If you have a Pre-4.0 model canopy and want to keep it has such, simply make the longer UCL the same length as the other three. I understand the need to point out that there are differences in these older canopies, but there are people you can call to find out these things. It is all about resources I guess. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You going back down? ...Probably best to get it the Block V endorsement signed down there. Good luck, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's really strange because Vectran can be left out in the sun all day and not hurt it! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

PD is actually using my UV treatment on their lines??? I have not seen that yet. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Benjamin, We have them on the shelf here. If you are closer to Pete, get them from him as he uses my line manufacturing files and will be the same lines. FYI, we manufacture line for every manufacturer out there in many different line mediums. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's strange! The reason is that National is technically still in the sport business with sport emergency rigs! But I guess if they had seperate TSOs going I can see how that could be. So who is SE sewing? Anyone we know? Warning Thread Drift ...Jerry, you still just have the one TSO on the stage II...correct? BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com