masterrigger1

Paul and Mark, The difference is this. The ELT scenario is covered with written policy and guidance by the FAA to be replaced as neccesary. The AAD scenario has no written allowances! I guess I should have pointed that out earlier. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If you need Dacron, we install them. It sure cuts down on those rogue Sabre2 openings...... 600lb Technora even works better in some cases! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Of course I disagree with the first sentence. As far as the last part, I think the answer lies in performance standards. § 65.129 Performance standards. top No certificated parachute rigger may— (a) Pack, maintain, or alter any parachute unless he is rated for that type; (b) Pack a parachute that is not safe for emergency use; (c) Pack a parachute that has not been thoroughly dried and aired; (d) Alter a parachute in a manner that is not specifically authorized by the Administrator or the manufacturer; (e) Pack, maintain, or alter a parachute in any manner that deviates from procedures approved by the Administrator or the manufacturer of the parachute; or (f) Exercise the privileges of his certificate and type rating unless he understands the current manufacturer's instructions for the operation involved and has— (1) Performed duties under his certificate for at least 90 days within the preceding 12 months; or (2) Shown the Administrator that he is able to perform those duties. _____________________________________________ I think (e) is where the answer lies. Also remember that the FAA dictates the pack intervals, not the manufacturer when reading that sub-part. You also have to remember that when the FAR's were first developed, the pack intervals were only 15 days. ........then 30, 60,120. and now coming is 180. IMHO, the intent the FAR's wants the parachute system (at the time of sealing) to be ABLE to make the complete cycle. Of course things happen that make the system non-airworthy from time to time, but I think that is another discussion. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Travis, We have been down this road before and you have your opinion as well as I have mine...and they are different. 1. "I never have found an FAR that allows me to do so." I have never found an FAR that doesn't allow me to do so. Specifically, I have yet to see in writing from the manufacture and/or the service center that they believe a unit with a future battery expiration (any date in the future) is not airworthy to be packed at that moment. .... .......I have in fact, the opposite in writing. 2. "The potential for the end user to continue to use the rig is very great." They could pencil pack it, they could jump it post 120/180 days, they could repack it themselves and buy a seal press with your seal code or jump it unsealed, or do just about anything. Try to tell a jury that the failed packjob was not yours when the last entry on the card was yours... Hence, I personally believe in the "know your customer well before packing" rule. Again - I am not saying what I am GONNA do for one or all of my customers, just arguing a point that people with different opinions believe. *** Exactly! The FAR's are being "dressed up" for better interpretation purposes right now. I think this also needs to be looked at before they finish. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That is about right. This is why I think Spectra is the worst line medium out there today! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Travis, SSK is a service center. Not the manufacturer. Airtec may have the same opinion, but I cannot find it anywhere in their printed instructions. I personally will not "shorten" a pack job because: 1. I have never found an FAR that allows me to do so. 2.The potental for the end user to continue to use the rig is very great. 3. If the rig is used past the "shortened" date and the guy goes in; most likely you will be seeing 12 gray haired lady's in the jury box....The lawyer will certainly make sure of it using #1 above as the case. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

News update! I received this email this AM from AFS-350 (washington). The FAA stance is totally different from what I was previously informed it to be, but seems to be for the better. So there you have it! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, I just do not see where you are coming from with that being 65.115 is a FAR and allows it below. 65.115 Senior parachute rigger certificate: Experience, knowledge, and skill requirements. top Except as provided in §65.117, an applicant for a senior parachute rigger certificate must— (a) Present evidence satisfactory to the Administrator that he has packed at least 20 parachutes of each type for which he seeks a rating, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and under the supervision of a certificated parachute rigger holding a rating for that type or a person holding an appropriate military rating; Also: (re-inserted for completeness) § 65.125 Certificates: Privileges. top (a) A certificated senior parachute rigger may— (1) Pack or maintain (except for major repair) any type of parachute for which he is rated; and (2) Supervise other persons in packing any type of parachute for which that person is rated in accordance with §105.43(a) or §105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (b) A certificated master parachute rigger may— (1) Pack, maintain, or alter any type of parachute for which he is rated; and (2) Supervise other persons in packing, maintaining, or altering any type of parachute for which the certificated parachute rigger is rated in accordance with §105.43(a) or §105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (c) A certificated parachute rigger need not comply with §§65.127 through 65.133 (relating to facilities, equipment, performance standards, records, recent experience, and seal) in packing, maintaining, or altering (if authorized) the main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping. The words/phrase "for which the certificated parachute rigger is rated" is key here. Riggers are nort rated for mains; only certificated parachutes. Mains are a bonus! It is a moot point anyway. The FAA does not consider this to be an issue or problem. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually not true. If you read into the requirements, it does not state that the supervised pack job is intented to be used. The certification requirements state that the rigger has to pack 20 pack jobs under the supervision of a rigger with a rating of the same type sought. That is spelled out. Again, he/she can pack it for certification purposes, just cannot use it! Except as provided in §65.117, an applicant for a senior parachute rigger certificate must— (a) Present evidence satisfactory to the Administrator that he has packed at least 20 parachutes of each type for which he seeks a rating, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and under the supervision of a certificated parachute rigger holding a rating for that type or a person holding an appropriate military rating; BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes! As the FAR's stand right now, supervised reserve pack jobs cannot be used or "placed in service". In other words, using a supervised pack job is illegal. It must be packed by a certificated rigger. This is something I did not know until about 2 years ago. That rule is currently being reviewed by the FAA for possible change..... 65.111 has already been re-written to reflect it's original intent and will come out at the same time as the 180 day repack cycle. As far as the 120-180 day conflict: If the parachute was packed under the 120 day rule, the repack will only be good for 120 days. If the repack happens when the 180 rule is in effect, 180 days applies. ....i.e., no grandfathering.... At least that is what AFS-350 (Washington) tells me. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You mean like this one! It was put on at a boogie as a check-in seal. It is a real bad idea to use a ty-wrap to secure the ripcord at anytime FCOL. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I am not in the shop yet this AM, but I THINK that all of the sliders were the made the same size for all of the canopies. I have some of the info in the shop and will post what I have later. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Scott, We made pockets sliders in the very early 90's to tame the Nova's hard openings. Then later for the Monarchs and Sabres. If the pocket is made a little long, the pocket flaps against the lower nose area and creates wear. Another issue is sometimes the pocket inflates and goes between the line groups, causing really weird openings. The domed slider does everything good that the pocket slider does and more without any of the above issues. The "more" consists of keeping the canopy/slider centered during deployment. (more on heading) It also is WAY more consistant that the pocket slider. The only reason pocket sliders are still around is that they are very easy to manufacture and install. I personally would rather take the extra 30 minutes to make a domed slider for my stuff. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Incorrect! It has been discussed here in depth on several occasions. Do a search and you will find several discussions. The main problem is that everyone "thinks" that they may do that type of work legally. In reality, they cannot!...unless you go with the theory "who's gonna know"!!! The owner may do minor maintenance... Senior riggers can do minor repairs.... Master riggers can do minor and major repairs along with modifications. The only difference between TSO'd gear vs a main is authorization. The TSO'd stuff needs either FAA or the manufacture's approval (or Both) The main needs no approval, but still needs a master rigger to do the work. This is will be a topic by the FAA at the PIA this coming year as I hear it. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ben, A domed slider is a better option on the Sabre. Pocket sliders are a easy enough thing to make but they have some issues.The domed slider does not. Also another point, modifications can only be done by a master rigger. Installing a pocket slider would be a modification..... BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

After the last discussion here regarding 300 vs 350 Technora, I did some R&D on it. It seems that PD is getting their line material from Braid Cord SA. It also seems they (Braid Cord SA) do not pre-condition the fiber BEFORE braiding it as does CSR who manufacturers the material for me. This is as important as the UV coating on the thinner line material.. CSR found through past experience that preconditioning is nessecary for both Vectran and Technora fibers before the braiding process begins. It is more costly than not doing, it but well worth the extra cost. There are other factors involved also. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No issues there. Actually the openings with Technora are better than with Vectran lined canopies. ...much slower and defined openings. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually almost exactly the same strength when new. We have tested them side by side........ Another option is the 425 that we have. Coated and uncoated. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I will be there again! Looks like another really good class! ...and we have all brand new sewing machines!! I am looking forward to it, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Are you using the correct style of needle? It should be either a 135 X 7, 135 X 5, or DP5 style. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It that is the case, then the machine is out of time to begin with. 1. To properly set the timing, remove the zig-zag to make a straight stitch. 2. Then set the needle bar height and stroke.There should be match marks on the needle bar for this. 3. Lastly, set the hook to the needle. The point of the hook needs to be centered in the scarf and directly behind the needle. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If The PC does not help, I would then focus on the slider. When the Safire II came out the sliders were to large. I came up with two slider sizes to use rather than using the scaled versions for different sized canopies. I think the larger canopies probably need a little more span on them, thus a third sized slider. Let me know the results of jumping with a different PC. You need to change it out anyway for swooping. :) Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The non-collaspable PC does not help matters on a higher performance, high aspect ratio canopy. But with that said, there are probably manufacturing issues involved, but let's wait and see. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Sure, but I don't see how it would result in collapsed endcells, quite the opposite, actually *** You are thinking one dimensional. When the canopy has gone through center cell inflation, the canopy starts some forward movement even before the ends cells are open fully. If the center cell is held back to some degree, it could make the end cells roll under enough to not allow them to inflate. The bridal attachment point is just behind the "B" rib loading tapes, so it is possible. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ian, If the PC is a non-collaspible type it could/can have an effect to the later part of inflation. The tugging and pulling of the topskin by the inflated PC could be part of the problem. Just thinking outside of the box......... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com