masterrigger1

Chuck, That was several years ago. Collis died and Howard continued to make a few canopies. That was before he started working for Jumpshack. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yep, he got it from us. How does he like it? How's that colbalt doing also? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

ChucK, That would have been Collis Griffin. He passed several years ago and Howard Adams took over the company. I think Howard is in Florida now, around the Deland area. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

We have plenty of rings in stock. I had a machine shop make them locally. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I think he did pretty well from what I heard. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Steve, Remember this also. There are basically two types of binders and each has it's own quirks. The right angle binder and the"straight" binder that Para-Gear sells. That one is actually a little offset to the right. The straight one is harder to sew thicker material with. The right angle one is a bit harder to turn the corners evenly with, but after awhile, it is no problem. PS. Did you get the single needle machine fixed? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, True, and I am surprised that the SB link at Para-Flite does not mention that fact. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Also note that there are some that have an AD on them. The wrong rib was installed at the factory. Several have never been fixed/returned and are still out there some where. I found one a few years back that was still being packed and in service without the AD compliance. Compilance with the AD should be noted somewhere on the canopy if it has been done. The info is in PPM. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Why did I not think of that!!! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, There are no "what ifs" stated by me. I agree that the manual does do not state that you have to send it back to the manufacturer, but.... Again, How would you do the porosity check? BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

A practice tip from a arrow is a great piece to use there. Wal-mart has them. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, What, the fact that you and I do not have a CFM/CIM gauge? So, how would a rigger check porosity without one?Doing it with some accuracy? I guess I'm asking how and what method you would use to comply with the instructions? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, Here is some of the info... the inspection is now yearly after 12 years (I think). I am trying to find the updated version that also has the number of reserve rides. I'll find it though #22, February 20, 1997 ITEM: A) Dual Hawk Tandem, Use of Unapproved Components B) Dual Hawk Tandem Service Life STATUS: Mandatory compliance. IDENTIFICATION: Dual Hawk Tandem Systems; PN 103000 through 103005 (Dwg No. 1151 & 68E10001). BACKGROUND: A) Strong Enterprises has determined that Dual Hawk Tandem Systems with components not approved by Strong Enterprises present a hazard that is not acceptable for tandem jumping. B) The rapid improvements of the Dual Hawk Tandem System have shown considerable safety enhancements. It is also evident that most systems older than eight years have considerable wear and deterioration with loss of performance and could pose a threat to the users. SERVICE BULLETIN: A) Only components approved by Strong Enterprises may be used on the Dual Hawk Tandem System for tandem jumping. B) All Dual Hawk Tandem Systems shall have a service life of eight years from date of manufacture or be returned to Strong Enterprises for reinspection and recertification. It may then be placed back into service for five years. This service bulletin does not change the requirements for periodic inspections and maintenance as outlined in the FAA Exemption or manufacturers instructions. DISTRIBUTION: All Dual Hawk Tandem System owners, national aero clubs, PIA, USPA, Skydiving, Parachutist. BULLETIN 22 EXPLANATION: Strong Enterprises has taken a proactive step to ensure public safety and the safety of our certified tandem instructors by issuing Service Bulletin 22 on 20 February 1997 (attached). The purpose of Bulletin 22 is to assure that Dual Hawk Systems more than 8 years old are still safe to use, and components that Strong Enterprises has not tested or approved as being compatible are not being used in these systems. Dual Hawk Tandem Systems that are not in compliance with Bulletin 22 are considered by Strong Enterprises to be un-airworthy. Therefore, the TSO on that system is void and any tandem jumps made on these systems are made in violation of FAR 105.43 (a). Any Strong Enterprises certified tandem instructor who enters into an aircraft with the intention of making a tandem jump, and the Dual Hawk System he intends using on that jump is not in compliance with Strong Enterprises Bulletin 22, has automatically voided his Strong Enterprises tandem instructor certification and that jump will be made in violation of FAR 105.43 (a) and Strong Enterprises' tandem exemption. The appropriate FAA FSDO offices will be notified of the serial number, location, and owner of all Dual Hawk Tandem Systems that are not in compliance with Bulletin 22. In consideration of the liability exposure of USPA, a copy of notices related to Bulletin 22 will be forwarded to USPA. Compliance with Bulletin 22 is quite simple: 1. Use only manufacturer approved components in your Dual Hawk system. 2. If a Dual Hawk system is more than 8 years old, return it to Strong Enterprises for inspection, refurbishing if needed, and recertification as airworthy. Recertified components are marked: 1. Hrn/con.: Labels sewn on the horizontal back strap of the passenger hrn., inside the main container, and on the front left reserve riser. 2. The main and reserve canopies: A label sewn onto the tail seam. Bill Morrissey Tandem Program Director. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, I do not about you, but I would send the canopy back to the manufacturer! Those "porosity checkers" are realllll expensive! I don't own one....do you??? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ok .. Now you are in the same boat as MB38! Strong Enterprises mandates inspections and re-certification of their equipment after "X" years and "X" rides. I would have to look up the numbers. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, They do install Spectra on them. I have a J3K that I put a Firelite (176 sq.ft.)into. It was pretty tight with the Dacron and they switched it out for me at a reasonable cost. It fits perfectly now. It is an option when ordering a new canopy. Also the Fury is the 220 sq. ft. model of the reserves. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/examiners_inspectors/8300/volume3/media/3_010_00.pdf http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/examiners_inspectors/8300/volume3/media/3_010_00.pdf MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Lisa, Actually the Cricket is probably as strong as the PD. It is an older design but solid and opens faster than the PD. It has been is service for a long time and I have never heard of one problem with it, i.e.damage. In fact, back around 1993, we were drop testing the Racer tandem at the same time that Flight Concepts was drop testing the Mini-Cricket. After the Mini-Cricket passed it's drop tests, for giggles,we dropped it using the same load and speed that we were using for the tandem. It stayed together! The Flight Concepts' reserves do not land as well as the PDR, but I would rate them as a close second or third in the reserve department. As far as the reinforcement statement, it does not have spanwise tape. It does have reinforcement in other areas that other manufacturers do not use. In the almost twenty years of production and use, I have never heard of any catastrophic damage during a reserve deployment. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

We are running one here at Skyworks June 4-9, 2006. Dave Dewolf and myself will be the DPRE's with other instructors there also. We have two more slots available. You can PM me for more details if interested. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Very true if you have a canopy which the lines are the same length all the way across, i.e. Sabre 1. Use a trim chart and the manufacturer's instructions for checking the trim. Many canopies today have various line lengths across the canopy. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Caspar, Do not let this discussion deter you from buying the PD Reserve as it is a great reserve. But... The lines are disliked by many riggers as they are not coated and are easier to be damaged by hook Velcro. I own many of these reserves, I just hate the lines! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Isaiah, I personally have never seen any sticky lines in the field on any other reserve canopy that would cause a problem with a deployment or it's deployment times. Actually, the slicker coated lines should help speed up the openings! I do know that you guys use a synthetic coated 725 Spectra (which you guys call 825 in-house) on your mains rather than the standard coating that everyone else uses. I get the same line from CSR (synthetic coating) to reline PD canopies, but still have not noticed any stickiness in the lines. The same applies to the standard coating. Maybe you guys need to use the standard coating instead. Again, no other reserve manufacturer has had a problem with their products and that is what they use. One of the first rules in engineering is "real" damage problems (damaged lines) take precedence over theoretical damage (probable sticky lines) always. You would make most riggers happier! It is the biggest complaint of your reserves. And in fact, probably the only one now! So why not fix it? Blue ones, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, The same problem exsists on the PD reserves that have uncoated 725 Spectra as well. I have had to replace several lines over the years from Velcro damage. The damage can occur from packing, but most riggers do a really good job of keeping the hook Velcro covered while packing and stowing the lines. Most of the damage I have found was after use of the parachute.That makes me wonder why PD uses the stuff uncoated. No one else does. As far as reserves, I believe that to be true also. As far as mains, I believe that to be not true these days. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Anyone have any details of the meet? Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Naptha... Better known as lighter fluid MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com