masterrigger1

It is still in production today (well sort of) in the form of the Mirage. RTS made a model called the Mirage. It was a two pin container with the pins toward the user's back just like the Racer is made. The company sold out to National in Fleming, NJ who turned the Mirage pin locations around to the back of the rig. National sold the TSO and now you have Mirage Systems using it. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

John, It was great to have you guys there. Good luck, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

How about developing a sub-committee for developing new written test questions for the FAA? The written is a mess to say the least. I have enacted the FOIA(1976) to get the test question and answer bank from the FAA for my review. Also the PRH is up for contract renewal. It needs a complete redo as there are numerous errors in it. Not to mention a one sided view on most things in there. I think a select panel needs to do the rewrite this time. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

We stay with the factory standard method of construction. If the factory builds loops, we build loops,etc... If the customer has a special request to do something different, we also will provide that service. Colbalt line sets are manufactured with loops. That is what you should see if you bought a new one. First, removing a bartack is probably easier than removing the knot. The trick to that is using a very small seam ripper. I use the smallest one that is available from Wal-Mart. They work really well. Just work on about 3-4 stitches at a time. It should be less than one minute to remove it in this manner without damage. Second, Have you jumped the canopy to see if the toggles are too high or low? When a canopy is relined, the changes of line lengths throughout the canopy may dictate a change of the previous toggle setting. So,if you are going off of the last measurement, that could be very well wrong. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The entire line trim is different. Derek changed a few Safires, not Crossfires at the upper control lines. in fact a lot of those canopies were changed back to standard. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The best way to determine that fact is to look at the "d" lines. A Crossfire I has 10 "D" lines A Crossfire II has only 6 "D" lines, missing the two on each side nearest the stabilizers. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, The FAA never issued any Clarification. A memorandum was issued, but it merely stated that nothing regarding AAD maintenance had changed with the 180 day repack cycle. Basically, maintence most be performed to keep it airworthy. I am too tied up here at Dewolf's to look for the document , but it is on the PIA website as I recall. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mike, Where did you get that info? It is not written in any FAR, just a document from SSK as far as I know. Anyway it's funny that This came up now. The(FAA) are having meeting next week in Washington on that very subject. I just got an email from the legal department that that they are moving on this ASAP. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

They are either the LD or SLD, for sure not the heavy standard ones. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** So is 'GSR25SLD Super Lt Duty Super Ring Set 25 mm' the same what PD offered even 14 or so years ago on their order forms as '#25 Stainless grommets' ? Quote No... If you will read my first post, most manufacturers first used the Heavier, GSR25 Standard Super Ring. ....And somewhere about 2002 they started using the lighter GSR25LD Super Ring...(Light Duty) ...and now we use the GSR25SLD Super Ring (Even Lighter). There are problems with each different type of ring and/or grommet: 1. Brass grommets should NEVER be used with Vectran. The vectran will cut right though the brass in short order. 2. The Super Light Rings are now presenting a problem with larger Diameter Technora line sets. The Technora (HMA) generates more heat from it's increased drag against the grommets. This added heat is sometimes melting the risers if someone pulls the slider immediately down over the risers. We have seen melting of the risers before(and still do) with the larger Tandem canopies lined with Dacron. This is something everyone should be looking for now. I am currently changing a slider back to the GSR25LD rings to see if the added thickness of the rings will act like a heat sink. Hopefully it will be enough to deter the melting. We really will not know the answer to that question until Summer .... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Next question: how many pounds of pressure (newtons/kilograms, etc.) are needed to set stainless steel grommets? What is the best press to set stainless steel grommets? Quote I use a 20 Ton press that I bought from Northern Tool. I added a 1 1/2 inch steel plate to the crossmember for the dies to rest on. The center of the cross member is wider than the bottom or die base. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Looking at the ParaGear catalog from 1996, PD canopy had option of #8 Brass, #20 Stainless, and #25 Stainless frommets. Which one was the heaviest, medium, and lightest? What is the "coding" for the current lightweight (about 50 % lighter) grommets? Quote Paragear Does not sale these rings. You can get them from here: http://www.challengesailcloth.com/hardware.htm The part number for the lightweight is below: GSR25SLD Super Lt Duty Super Ring Set 25 mm Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Voilsb, The extra weight makes a difference for sure! Most manufacturers were using the standard weight, 25mm rings in their sliders up until about 2002 -2003 time frame. Now most everyone is using the lightweight (about 50 % lighter) rings in their construction. It makes a substanial difference, Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Wonderhog..... BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jan, Just for clarity, it is legal (in the FAA's eyes) to jump another main canopy in that system. It just does not have the manufacturer's approval. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Adam, We have 3 class 7 machines in the shop here and are a lot closer to you, Just give us a call if you stilll need something. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That would be Joe Bennett....circa 2000-2001. He still has it on his canopy today. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

This one is simple.. Singer 401A is the one. It is a forefather to the Singer 20U machine. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Shlomo, There are two more ways to be legal installing an aftermarket RSL. 1. Ray Ferrell has an STC to install them on there with I believe just one guide ring. 2. Field approvals from our local FSDO can be obtained to install them legally. The install that you have therfe is lacking in many areas. If the guy that did it is that sloppy, he probably did not even bother with the paperwork or for that matter even know how to precede with the process of filing it! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The Heatwaves usually do not open hard until the canopy gets out of trim. In either case we can help you out! Just give us a call. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Matt, Just a couple of points here: I actually saw your canopy yesterday for the first time. It is a Samurai, but it has 550 lb HMA on it, not the combo setup that you thought it had. I thought I had covered this question already, but will cover it again. The grommets are at their hottest at the top of the riser, just after coming to rest there post opening. When you start pulling them down, both the melting process (which is transferring heat from the grommet to the riser) and time of cooling result in lesser damage to the lower portion of the risers. Heat damage is not exactly new to risers. It mostly has been noted on bigger Tandem-like canopies with soft links installed. The soft links will allow the grommets to touch the risers while setups with Rapide links will keep the slider off of the risers. Line type plays a large role in the amount of heat generated during the opening process. Believe it or not, Large Dacron lined canopies usually generate as much if not more heat than HMA lined canopies. This is because the line is usually larger and the canopies are typically bigger to boot. Unless you do something with the canopy, the results will be the same....I pretty much summed this one up in short fashion. I also inspected the "loaner" risers on yor canopy. they are starting to show the same results....no question about it! With the temperatures much lower now than in the middle of the Summer, you probably will see lighter damage than before. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, Not really..I just try to understand them so that we can teach and test according to them! Actually I think both capabilities and regulations are connected here. For instance, I know several people who pocess the skills necessary to pack a reserve has well as some riggers. The problem is that they do not have the ratings to legally do so. When the Senior rigger rating became available in 1972, the FAA defined (poorly I might Add) the limitations of each certificate. Until something changes, we still have to teach and test as such. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Modifications and alterations can only be performed by a Maste Rigger ...Main or reserve. If you read the FAR's, please note the use of "approved" or "certified". If it states one or the other, it is specific to that type. If it is not specific, it includes both types, main and reserve. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, It pretty much is spelled out in plain english here: From The FAA Inspector's Handbook.... E. Review Parachute Rigger Certificates and Seals (1) Determine if the ratings are appropriate to the parachutes packed. Ensure that alterations are only performed by master parachute riggers on parachutes for which they are rated. (2) Ensure that the rigger meets the performance standards and currency requirements of FAR § 65.129. (3) Review the rigger’s log book to ensure that records are being kept as required by FAR § 65.131. (4) Determine if the rigger has the necessary tools and facilities to accomplish the work. (5) Ensure that the rigger is placing the seal on each parachute It also is a listed by the FAA, as a task for Master Rigger testing.... BS, MEL PS - can't spell today! Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Gary. If you change the deployment method, it is considered a modification. Simply put, if it came with a ROL and you replace the ROL it is a repair. If it came with a ROL and you make it a BOC, it is a modification. One that requires no paperwork because, 1. You are a Master rigger 2. It is an approved configuration by the manufacturer. (In most Cases) Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com