masterrigger1

That answer is very simple. If it left the factory without an RSL, it is most certainly airworthy in that regard. But also at the same time if you wanted to install a "field" RSL on it (since it originally did not come with one) you would have to go throught the paperwork process to do so. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually, that would be incorrect! Here's why: When a product leaves the factory or the manufacturer's control, any alterations fall under section 8 of AC 105-2C. There you will find vivid instructions dealing with "field" alterations. Also remember the FAA's definition of an alteration. An alteration is considered any change to the original manufactured configuration. In other words, a change from the way it left the manufacturer. Another note: a manfacturer cannot give added privilages to a Master or Senior rigger. In this case, simply not doing the required paperwork. When the item is outside of the manufacturer's factility, it then falls back into the FAA's lap, hence Section 8 of AC 105-2C. Do not confuse the issue with TSO this and that! If it left the factory with an RSL, it will need complance with Section 8 , complete with paperwork, to be legal. If it has been removed, it can be installed again by a Master rigger and will need only a notation on the Data card and his or her logbook as it is simply a "replacement". Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

§ 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] § 65.113 Eligibility requirements: General. top (a) To be eligible for a parachute rigger certificate, a person must— (1) Be at least 18 years of age; (2) Be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language, or, in the case of a citizen of Puerto Rico, or a person who is employed outside of the United States by a U.S. air carrier, and who does not meet this requirement, be issued a certificate that is valid only in Puerto Rico or while he is employed outside of the United States by that air carrier, as the case may be; and (3) Comply with the sections of this subpart that apply to the certificate and type rating he seeks. (b) Except for a master parachute rigger certificate, a parachute rigger certificate that was issued before, and was valid on, October 31, 1962, is equal to a senior parachute rigger certificate, and may be exchanged for such a corresponding certificate. § 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; (b) Pass a written test, with respect to parachutes in common use, on— (1) Their construction, packing, and maintenance; (2) The manufacturer's instructions; (3) The regulations of this subpart; and (c) Pass an oral and practical test showing his ability to pack and maintain at least one type of parachute in common use, appropriate to the type rating he seeks. [Doc. No. 10468, 37 FR 13251, July 6, 1972] also: § 65.127 Facilities and equipment. top No certificated parachute rigger may exercise the privileges of his certificate unless he has at least the following facilities and equipment available to him: (a) A smooth top table at least three feet wide by 40 feet long. (b) Suitable housing that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated for drying and airing parachutes. (c) Enough packing tools and other equipment to pack and maintain the types of parachutes that he services. (d) Adequate housing facilities to perform his duties and to protect his tools and equipment. [Doc. No. 1179, 27 FR 7973, Aug. 10, 1962, as amended by Amdt. 65–27, 47 FR 13316, Mar. 29, 1982] § 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. § 65.131 Records. top (a) Each certificated parachute rigger shall keep a record of the packing, maintenance, and alteration of parachutes performed or supervised by him. He shall keep in that record, with respect to each parachute worked on, a statement of— (1) Its type and make; (2) Its serial number; (3) The name and address of its owner; (4) The kind and extent of the work performed; (5) The date when and place where the work was performed; and (6) The results of any drop tests made with it. (b) Each person who makes a record under paragraph (a) of this section shall keep it for at least 2 years after the date it is made. (c) Each certificated parachute rigger who packs a parachute shall write, on the parachute packing record attached to the parachute, the date and place of the packing and a notation of any defects he finds on inspection. He shall sign that record with his name and the number of his certificate. § 65.133 Seal. top Each certificated parachute rigger must have a seal with an identifying mark prescribed by the Administrator, and a seal press. After packing a parachute he shall seal the pack with his seal in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation for that type of parachute. It is also listed in several other documents. Search and ye shall find! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Ummm Mark?. It is absolutely true. The rule says what it says. To make a legal jump per 14CFR Section 105 your reserve SHALL be packed by a certificated rigger. The pack jobs that are done under supervision of a rigger to qualify for their rigger's ticket are not legal to be jumped. Quote Again, You need to look at FAR 65, not Part 105. And again it is not true! The pack jobs that are packed under supervision,sealed,and signed are very legal. PM Sent. Cheers, MEL FAA DPRE Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That's is correct! A surpervising rigger has to sign and seal the parachute with his seal symbol and name. Not really. The rule says "must have been packed by a certificated parachute rigger". It doesn't give an option for supervising a non-certificated rigger. Quote Absolutely Not True! If it were, which it is not, the letter for the required pack jobs could never be acheived. It is required that a canidate for a rigger's certificate pack at least 20 reserve pack jobs prior to taking the written. If a DPRE told you that, he needs some re-training! Part 65 list the certification neccesary for packing parachutes, both mains and certificated types. It is vivid in it's writting there, also in the rule of Part 105, in AC 105-2C, and also in the DPRE and Inspector's handbook. If there is any further question on this matter, please let me know. This type of mis-information needs to end here. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I figure the main difference is one is rated to 550 lbs and the other is rated to 825lbs... Quote Actually, the rating is 725lb. PD uses a different number "In-house" there. Their "825" is a 725 coated Material. Their Uncoated stuff is listed as 725 "In-House". The 500 Lb material basically sucks. It goes out of trim very fast; like almost twice as fast as the 725. I only use it for experimental work and IF a customer just HAS to have it. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Mel you are beginning to sound as cryptic as Lord Slaton with your secrecy. hahahaaa Didn't mean to be... actually was/am pressed for time trying to catch up here in the shop. I do not need to spend a lot of time with a debate that might last for days with no ending in sight. The things that are in the background are: The ultrasonicly welded seams.. Nose Mods to increase canopy pressure.... Progressive changes in the angle of attack of a canopy... Just to name a few. Now back to work... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Morris, You will have to wait until after the PIA!!! Sorry! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, They are not as I know it. Just to the Pro Swoopers. Good thoughts on the bag rotation. It is best to simply place the D-bag with the grommet up, especially with the center stow bags! Cheers, MEL PS- your "350' lb line is really 340 lb stuff. I forgot to mention Jyro puts it on the JVX and the GLX-XF. Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

AD, Yep there are a lot of material and design changes that are ongoing...should be fun to watch. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I expect we'll see a few JVX's up there too from time to time but I believe, as usual, it's the pilot that will determine the winning, not the canopy. At this stage they're all good (and bad) in their own ways. IMO not ONE (and yes that includes the JVX) is far ahead of any of the others. Quote Just wait and see what's around the corner! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bob.dino, They are using line material larger than the 340 lb that is currently being discussed here. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rhys, As far as I know, Skyworks and now ,PD, are the only two companies using it. Yes. The smaller the line, the more prone to this type malfunction. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

i would advise to get this further investigated as this is not right and should never have happend to this extend. I have investigated it far enough. It has happened on 4 occasions, this being the forth case. It all cases tension knots were the culprit. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** could it be a lineover/line around the other lines and would have cut by friction ? Quote Exactly. The Baglock is key here. A line stow had lose a loose line or lines(riser to bag length of lines) around it. When it did come out of the bag, it cut through the others! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Joe, You had it right from the start. The lines were cut by a tension knot caused by probable improper stowing of the lines. Things to note: *Not a hard opening *No fabric damage *All lines were severed at the exact same location *Not a normal Deployment This is the bad side of very small Technora lines. They tangle easily and will cut through one another very,very easily. Rules of the game here are: *Slinks should be tacked down * Riser to bag line length should be kept around 12 inches or less. *Lines stows should be less than two inches AND neatly stowed *When rotating the bag into the container, be very careful of the line stows. watching so that they do not "pickup" a/the riser to bag line/s The last one is the probable cause of this incident! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chris, That needs to be trimmed with a hot knife. PD probably needs to do it or a very reliable rigger if you have one around one. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Dave, If you go with the comp trim and 340 Technora lines, the cost is slightly higher than the standard Vectran. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Morris, I would say it just all depends on the individual. If they want a great all around canopy, they probably would want a X-Fire2... If they want something more high performance and not quite as nice openings, they would look at the Katana..... If they want something a little hotter than the Katana and still have the great openings of a XF2; they probably would be looking at the newest hybrid X-fire2, the GLS XF. It has basically the trim discussed in this thread with my 340 HMA lines on it, along with sail material. Again, it is all personal perspective I guess..... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually, These are better ones and the last one is the best I believe! n.luker@aerodyne-int.com nluker.pisa@wol.co.za Pisa is manufacturing most of the old products. We do a lot of the service here on them. Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

PISA resumed manufacturing in South Africa last year after the split from Aeodyne. You can contact Ned Luker@pisa.com with any questions regarding that equipment. PM me if that email does not work. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Aggie, Here are the choices: 280 Technora - For serious Swooping and less than 75 jumps ________________________________________________ 300 Technora - Same as above ________________________________________________ 350 Technora - This is the line that you mostly see on Pro Canopies. It is also used for everday jumping, but you have to pack neatly or else! This is also the line that PD calls a 300 lb line. _________________________________________________ 450 Technora - A really good line, but oval shaped. It is the line PD calls 500 lb and is used on the Katana. _________________________________________________ 650 Technora - This is my favorite. It is about the same size as 580 Vectran, only just a touch smaller and is round in shape. Round lines will tend to wear evenly around 360 degrees, where the oval shaped lines will wear on only the two sides, thus a shorter line life. To answer your question; I would go with the 350 if you were wanting to become a serious Pro Swooper. If everyday jumping is the thing, I would use the 650 Technora OR the 580 Vectran. Both are good! The 580 Vectran is also round and has a better life span than the Oval shaped 680 that PD uses. Confused yet!!?? Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** so you dont think a hard opening on a 111, with high wing loading doesn't put more pressure on each line then say it would a 84 loaded at the same wing loading? smaller canopy, less weight, same wingloading? Quote Mark, There are so many variables in that equation...who knows!??? I have had my ass kicked by both large and small canopies. You are exactly right about the stows though. Keep them small and well kept with the rubber bands and you should not see any problems. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Actually he broke the first set after many more jumps than I asked him to put on them. That set of lines was the very first run of Technora that CSR made for me. In fact it was the first run they had made for anyone. I did not see the last canopy, but I believe(from what I was told and described) that he had other issues than just a hard opening. I believe he had a tension knot around several lines. When you have the smaller line, it will tend to cut through the other lines when a tension knot occurs. Tension knots are a growing problem as the lines get smaller! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Move this if needed; Skyworks will be holding a Senior Riggers course March 2 - 10, 2006. It will be for the back rating only. Contact me for details if interested. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com