masterrigger1

*** I would like to know how old the oldest person to receive a Class A license was. Thanks, Don Quote Don, Lew Sanborn is the person. He has both A-1 and D-1. I jumped with him once years ago. I do not know how old he is exactly, but I will guess somewhere around 79 years old. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Udder, The easiest way to tell is by the upper steering line attachment points. The 3.0 has the outboard (#1- end rib) attachment point and all of the UST's are the same length. The 4.0 (or a converted 3.0) skips the #1 attachment point and the inside UST is longer than the other three. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Dima, I am currently away from the shop but will be back on Thursday. Email me with the type and size canopy and I will help anyway I can. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Is there any way to get a tear drop shaped line? You and I both know that a tear drop shape has about 40% less drag than a round shape. If the line was able to keep laminar flow attached then drag reduction would be phenominal! Quote Grant, Probably not unless you used a molded line. You would also still have the problem of proper orientation. Over the length of line the thing would rotate away from the desired direction. We plan on coming out there a couple of times next year. Get the "loudner" ready. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Morris, Resend the email...I do not see it anywhere. Also, The material we use here is all round in shape. Both HMA and Vectran, so shape changes are not in effect here. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, Direct sunlight seems to be the enemy here. Most of the line failures seem to happened in enhanced Sunlight/UV areas. For instance, Eloy and MileHi in Colorado. When a canopy comes in for reline, I sometimes test a line that is removed just to get an idea of the failure strength. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Do you think that the UV damage will occur before wear damage requires replacement? UV rays absolutely shortens the life of the lines. Cheers, Mel Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Morris, Simple math puts it at 38% less drag. DxWxL MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Performance Designs has posted a link on their website that answers some of the questions you might have concerning HMA lines presently used on their Katana canopies. I thought it was very informative and has pictures of what to look for in line wear and tips on how to make these lines last longer. Here is the link. Quote The info is mostly accurate except the part regarding UV coatings. PD states that "special colored UV coatings" are not required for line longivity. This is totally not true. If interested, Google "Technora UV damage" and read the various acticles about the effect of UV damage to the material. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Strat, I usually agree with most of your posts, but this one really supprises me! THe MR had several problems and for most situations , they simply are not a good reserve.That IMHO and the opinion of 95% of the other people out there. After seeing several experienced people land on their backs after an abrupt stall, we now have the policy of not packing them any longer! Simply put, there are better reserves out on the market! The Cricket is just one of them...... Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Quote PM sent! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Can't help with the line lengths but you should be aware that there are 4 or 5 different versions as the trim was tweaked during the life of the canopy. Quote Actually, thre were only three production line trims for that canopy. (two changes). Spoons, do you need just the final measurements? Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I need to contact Mr Kirlin. Can someone shoot me a good email for him or a secretary? Quote Try don@redair.net or ellen@redair.net or go to www.redair.net Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Well as everyone knows absolutely forbidden in the US according to Strong's SB #22. What about those of us in Canada and other countries that the long arm of the law (FAA) can't reach us? Quote That was the case during the Tandem Exemption period, but not any longer as far as the FAA is concerned. Strong still does not recommend other canopies to be used in their system, but it is not a violation of any FAA regulation or policy if you choose to install and use something else that is compatible. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Has there been any manufacture leaks regarding any groundbreaking new gear or improvements for 2007? When would they announce anything new? I was thinking about ordering a new rig, but heard that new products are often released in Jan. Quote I know of at least three things that will be unveiled there. All really cool stuff! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I'd love to see a seminar going into more detail on the privilages of each rating and what the major differences are and limitations for each also. Things like Reline, replacing of grommets, etc. Each rigger seems to think slightly differently about what another one is allowed to do and it would be great to have either a siminar or a round table discussion on it. Quote That would be a LONG round table discussion!!! It is much needed! I will be there and it will be my 7th one. The DPRE recurrent training starts on Feburary 4th, so I will have to be there a little eariler than most. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** In conclusion, the quickest way to measure suspension line stretch/shrinkage is to grab all the A lines - from one front riser - pull them tight and measure the difference. When the difference approaches 3 inches, you are due for a new line kit. Quote Rob, Some canopies are now built with a couple of inches of differential already in them. Examples: Stiletto Crossfire 1 Crossfire 2 Katana The method that you described only works on certain canopies today. Some of the ones that it works are (Not all are listed): Colbalt Sabre1 Monarch Ariel Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Also, the 'W', after the model number makes me wonder if, it may be a 'walking-foot' machine. Quote ' Chuck, The "W" is a designator as to where it was Built. More of them: W=West Germany G=East Germany A= Anderson, South Carolina USA U=United Kingdom Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I had only one malfunction, my reserve came out as I was exiting a cessna 182 wrapping with the tail and then spiraling to the ground. 4 months later and some rehab I am back to work on light duty but unfortunetly my jumping days are over due to the back repair, but if I could i would be jumping tommorrow. BLUE SKYS Quote Good to hear after seeing the reserve damage here in the shop! Pretty much destroyed the thing..not much left! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** Most people I jump with have no idea of how many jumps they or their equipment have on it. I think that's where spectra may have the upper hand. It actually has the good manner to look worn out when it is Quote Ahhhhh ,,, this is where the problem lies though. Spectra has usually gone way out of trim BEFORE it shows wear !!! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

LMAO Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** That seems like an awful lot for 100 jumps. I've put 230 on my katana (it came with new spectra) this year and was thinking that's a bit early to get new lines, am going hma, but was going to do it anyway. Quote The amount of shrinkage depends on several things, not just the number of jumps. A fast opening generates more heat which equals more shrinkage. So with that info, if you constantly have fast or bad openings, the shrinkage is a lot more than someone who has slower openings. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Gareth, I hate to disagree with a fellow Bass player, but..... Exactly! That's not a reflection on the properties of spectra, but more a comment on how much more maintenance needs to be scheduled for a canopy that is intentionally pushed to the limit of it's design. That isn't going to change no matter what lineset is on it. I see a broken Vectran line in my shop MAYBE a couple of times each year. The smaller 340lb HMA a few more time than that, but they are usually attributed to tension knots. Spectra needs to be measured to find out where your line set stand in regards to replacement. Most people do not even have a clue how or where to measure them, so they never do! That makes Spectra harder to determine when to replace them. Here is my recommended max number of jumps per line material: Spectra 725 (PD calls it 825) 550-700 jumps Vectran 580 - 600-800 jumps 12 Carrier Braid Vectran 600 - 400-500 jumps 16 Carrier Braid (The type PD Uses) HMA 340 UV Coated 700 - 800 Jumps HMA 840 UV Coated 800-1000 Jumps (You will be seeing a lot of this line on canopies in the future. It is the same size as the 580 Vectran, only stronger.) *** I saw old skydivexxl's Velocity literally explode a month ago. That got his attention. Looked just fine when he was packing it. Quote I am willing to bet that it had more than jumps on it than I quoted above! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Robin, We can help you if needed. PM sent also. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bonnie, Type VIII and Type XVII risers with the Mini rings will be the same pull force. The measurements are the same for both types. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com