masterrigger1

Rob, I am simply making a legitimate point and not give out wrong information to someone. The same point was made to me that what we have always done is not correct or legal. Yes it is true that one must pack at least parachutes of one type to be eligible for testing. But those pack jobs can not be jumped(legally) as we now know. So by continuing to inform people that is is permissible to pack a reserve under supervision (that is to be used once completed), would be an incorrect statement! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

For what type of canopy? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Pecker, That's what I thought for years until it was pointed out to me that it's not. We have always supervised reserve pack jobs, but if you look at the FAR's it does not give permissions to do so. It does give the options of supervising the mains but not the reserves. I know it sounds crazy but it is true. We discussed this very issue at the DPRE renewal meeting and it did raise everyones eyebrows. § 65.111 Certificate required. top (a) No person may pack, maintain, or alter any personnel-carrying parachute intended for emergency use in connection with civil aircraft of the United States (including the reserve parachute of a dual parachute system to be used for intentional parachute jumping) unless that person holds an appropriate current certificate and type rating issued under this subpart and complies with §§65.127 through 65.133. (b) No person may pack, maintain, or alter any main parachute of a dual-parachute system to be used for intentional parachute jumping in connection with civil aircraft of the United States unless that person— (1) Has an appropriate current certificate issued under this subpart; (2) Is under the supervision of a current certificated parachute rigger; (3) Is the person making the next parachute jump with that parachute in accordance with §105.43(a) of this chapter; or (4) Is the parachutist in command making the next parachute jump with that parachute in a tandem parachute operation conducted under §105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (c) Each person who holds a parachute rigger certificate shall present it for inspection upon the request of the Administrator or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board, or of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer. (d) The following parachute rigger certificates are issued under this part: (1) Senior parachute rigger. (2) Master parachute rigger. (e) Sections 65.127 through 65.133 do not apply to parachutes packed, maintained, or altered for the use of the armed forces. [Doc. No. 1179, 27 FR 7973, Aug. 10, 1962, as amended by Amdt. 65–9, 31 FR 13524, Oct. 20, 1966; 32 FR 5769, Apr. 11, 1967; Amdt. 65–42, 66 FR 23553, May 9, 2001] If you read paragragh "A"(which references certified Canopies/reserves) it gives no provisions for supervision. It basically means only certificated riggers can pack reserves that are to be placed in service(Jumped). Paragraph "B" deals deals with mains and does give the option of supervision. FAR 105 states the same thing. I guess it is another case of "that is the way we used to do it" things of the past. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

BZ, The majority of the manufacturer's call the end line at the stab A1 and the center cell A5. Hiper and PD are the only ones that do it "Backwards"!! On the serious side, make sure that you get manufacturer's instructions on how they do it. It could be fatal if they are installed wrong. Please call the shop if you still need a chart. 864-429-8428 Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

OK... don't miss it!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/INDUSTRIAL-SEWING-MACHINE-PFAFF-418-LEATHER-SAILMAKING_W0QQitemZ130092534845QQcategoryZ26256QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Also, here is what a Juki LZ-586 looks like. The 586 is a newer model than the 486. http://www.industrialsewmachine.com/webdoc1/juki/lz-586.htm Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes, they are better MHO. Just like Aaron stated MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

My vote is a Juki 486! Great machine!!! Cost more but it tops everything out there, even the Durakopp 265.( I have both) The presser bar location on the 20U is bad. It centers the hinge of the presser foot too far back behind the feed dog. This makes starting material thicker than say 3-4 layers of Cordura a problem at times. The fix is to put a piece of something of like thickness under the hinge point when starting. I have a like new Blue one that I only use to make BOC pouches. I just got back in the shop here, but in the near future we are working on web page of our sewing machines. ....Probably photos and brief descriptions of what they are good for, etc... Back to work, MEL PS- Aaron did yoy pick up the 7 Class yet??? Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's Danny and Joe Bennett for you that may not know Joe's face. I have many Danny stories, but here is one that sticks out in my memories of him. In the middle of summer,1992, we were training yet again in Raeford for the Carolina Council. I was front float on the right door Twin-bo and Danny was the center. The launch was Cat-360-Cat which also was the jump before and had problems. Danny and I had a "spirited" aurgument over how the launch should be done between the last jump and this one. Joe Trinko and the rest of the Gloden Knight 4-way team were in the front of the airplane. They usually rode up there just to screw with us on the exits.. Well, I climb out first with my back against the fuselage. Danny is behind me taking grips and all of a sudden. The GK are banging away on the inside of the fuselage and windows. I'm thinking they are screwing with us again...The count...we exit... the chunk lauches perfectly.... the next thing I know is my flipping canopy is deploying...I look back and down at the now 3-way and Danny is smiling ,like double his normal grin.. I thinking Danny dumped me out just being Danny and the previous argument. I'm Thinking "whoop ass" now as I spiral down from 10,000 feet mad as hell. What I did not know was when I was climbing out , my main pin had popped out. My bag was trapped between me and the fuselage and window( hence all the beating from the GK's inside the airplane not wanting to die), When the piece launched, I had an immediate Horseshoe. Danny sees it and dumps me out right off of the airplane. When I land, my team all greets me telling me what exactly happened. Danny comes up to me last and says" are you going to kiss me now or later for saving your ass" with the biggest grin I have ever seen him do in my 18 years of knowing him. "......and that's beer!" with the Danny trademark laugh. He never let me forget that one! I am in Cali right now but will be at the memorial on Sunday. I look forward to meeting all of his friends I did not ever get to meet. To Bob's Family, my condolences with the deepest regards! I did not know him, but most did, and are proud to have known him. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I do not know how that logic works. If removing a rsl of of one rig is an alteration, then removing of of another rig would be also. That is as long as it came with one.... Footnote: Just got off of the phone with an inspection from my FSDO. They are going to allow the "data" from the manufacturer to be sufficent paperwork for an alteration in this case. So the authorization is valid! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Exactly!!! That's why I started this thread. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ward, Two Points here: First a SB does not have to be complied with like an AD does. A SB is not mandatory like an AD is. Second, the point I am try to make here is this. The manufacturer cannot delegate (legally) as to whom can do the work and by what standard. That's the FAA's function. Just because a manufacturer writes something does not make it legal. For instance; Jump Shack had a "mod" for converting their freebags over to rubber bands. In the bulletin in stated that a Senior rigger or Master rigger could do the job. We all know that that is wrong for many reasons. Cheers, MEL PS- PM sent Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

quote] As long as the modification is recorded in Mirage's TSO archives, it is a legal modification. Rob, Yes, IF it is done within the domain of the FAA approved facility of the manufacturer. Not if it is done out in the field. Again, when the product is outside of the manufacturer's facility, it is considered "in the field". This is when we, "field " riggers,have to abide with the procedures set forth by the FAA for us to comply with. For reference, Section 8 of AC-105-2C and also Chapter 136 of the inspectors handbook are some of them. In the past we have done things not exactly as the FARs have stated and have grown accustomed to that mode of operation. Now, it seems the FAA is taking note of that. Exactly! If the work was done by the manufacturer"In-House" It prefectly legal. On the other hand, if Rigger Joe Blo did the work outside the facility, Section 8 needs to be complied with your local FSDO. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's easy...especially right after they throw the special ripcord away during a cutaway and the rigger installs a standard ripcord during the repack. Of course that would be just until the new ripcord arrives...... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's one of them. The -D2 is the latest model, but any of the 430E models are good. Just make sure it has the "E" (for Electronic Version) in the model number. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

They are both mechanical bartack machines. Meaning thay are cam driven. The Brother is easier to maintain, while a properly set up Juki will sew a smoother stitch. The Juki is easier to find parts for if needed. Are both a 42 stitch, center start-center stop pattern? Also, at the curent cost of mechanical "tackers"(about $900-$1500) vs the newer electronic ones($3300-$6000). I would say dgo the extra mile and get a Brother 430E-D2 and have a great machine with about 30 different tacks already installed on it. There's a place in Tenn. selling them for $3400 right now. Cheers, MEL MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It is the same. In fact they (NZA) got My order and I am still sitting waiting on a new batch FCOL. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That makes me wonder if it is even a completely legal alteration! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well, do not lose it as it is white and it wil be hard to find. Believe that are not!! Anyway, Have you jumped it yet! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well all of the focus has been on Sun Path rigs, but has anyone else thought about this. Since the FAA has ruled that that removing an RSL is an alteration, if someone were to burn in with a Vector II, III, Infinity, etc. (pick one). Everyone is focused on just the Javelin, but it applies to ANY rig that has had a RSL removed and no paperwork to back it up. Think about it, they are grounded as well! At least until they are replaced or have paperwork! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Did you not fill out the paperwork??? I did! I'm also not implying that you did not but, I also bet that most riggers did not even log the work as being done. But that is a different story I guess.... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, Just a foot note...the lines that you and everyone else is callind 300 is actually 340LB! You guys are going to have me calling it 300 and it's my line FCOL. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Ac 105-2C is legal guidance to expand the rule. It is also used to help define the Pre-amble. It can and will be used in a court of law. Also, Sun path does not recommend the removal so I do not see their wording as an approval. It just states that if you do remove it, it will need a Master rigger's signature and log notation. All field work needs paperwork. Most people just elect not to do it or maybe they just do not know it needs to be done. An approval from the manufacture may be subsituted for the engineering drawings and other data spelled out in chapter 136 of the inspector's handbook. The paperwork still needs an inspector's stamp of approval. I do not find in the FAR's, the inspector's handbook, or any other FAA reference where a Master rigger is allowed to approve or disapprove an alteration. Everything points to the administrator(FAA). BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Since they(Sun Path) report or answer to the FAA, I would say they(FAA) would be the ultimate authority! But yes, you are right about calling SP and should if you have any questions. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bill, All the newer models since 1994-95(?) have had RSLs installed. I am talking about the ones before that. The ones where they only installed the double rings on the #4 flap if it was ordered with an RSL. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sure there is! Either the double rings will still be on the #4 Flap or the just stitch holes where they were once sewn. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com