masterrigger1

Terry, 269 is the class of machine. i.e. Singer bartacker. The subclass is the the -8,-11-26,etc. The subclass number tells you what stitch pattern the machine left the factory with, but that could very well have been changed by now. What are you looking for in stitch patterns? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service "The Icarus Service Center" Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Wow! I owe you two "H's". Actually spellcheck flags it in both spellings. I hear what you are saying, but I spell Stealth alot more than Sharpchuter. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Gus, Putting Vectran on canopy is not wrong, just not stock. As long as the canopy is in trim, it is in trim no matter what. In fact, Vectran on a Tri is a good thing from what we have seen here. The openings are consistant throughout the life of the lines and the trim stays the same Vs Spectra that does not. The Version 4.0 Mod should have made your customer's canopy open slower than before. It is a very simple mod, hard to screw up, but anything is possible. The inboard line is longer, allowing more air to pass out the rear. That should make less stress on the center cell. So, I do not understand where the center cell damage came from. Your customer must have had some other issues with his canopy also! But I do know that people that had the mod done after they bought the canopy took time to get adjusted to the different openings that the mod created. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service "The Icarus Service Center" Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Crazy, I know..rub it in.. I am back on the right Coast but it is not too cold. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Kanada, Line sets can be made to exacting standards outside of the factory, we do it all of the time, even for a couple of manufacturers. Regardless, you do need a very knowledgeble and well equipped rigger to install them. Factory line sets have been sold to riggers that neither have the ratings or knowledge to properly install them. The end result was still the same;a canopy that is not in proper trim. There are probably less than 20 riggers/rigging lofts in the USA that I would recomend to do that type of work. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service "The Icarus Service Center" Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Tom, I will have to dig out my notes on the specifics, so I will in a day or two. I just got back from Cali and am in the mist of catching up here. I have attached a Jpeg from a Demo I did last June. I do it every year and it gets tighter each year. The landing area is about the size of three tuffets or there about. The Canopy is bringing me back up out of an almost buttslide( I was a little short). MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Crazy Larry is in Oceanside I believe! His ID here is CrazyL. crazylarry9@hotmail.com MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The aerodynamic properties are Opening, Flying, and Landing as I stated. Also, being a manufacturer, I would not want to be disrespectful of myself. Several subtle things have changed over the years like load bearing tape placement, reinforcement in certain areas, tailgates, and etc. If you read Adam's post, he explains that his canopy is vey much a "cousin", if you will, of the Pegasus. The Stealth is also, although both the Mojo and Stealth are two completely different canopies. For people that do not know this, The Pegasus was designed and built by Mike Furry of Digango Enterprises. The Pegasus and Digango where involved in a lawsuit over the patented line attachments belonging to Steve Snyder. They lost the lawsuit and Mike Furry then formed Glide Path. Glide Path then redesigned the Pegasus into a canopy with different line attachments called line flares. That canopy was called the Fury. From the Fury, came several other sized canopies, including the Sharpcuter from which the Stealth was based. Hope that clears up some things for you guys! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Beezy, I guess we differ in our findings somewhat. It could be from the different types of braid of Vectran, etc What I typically find is The 580 Vectran that we have been using for the last 4 years is about 1/2 inch of elongation in 600-800 jumps on sport canopiesa and about 3/4 inch on tandems. While I do not measure all old line sets, the ones that I have measured where all within the numbers specified above. A good test of this is to measure the Inside A line and inside C line when you have a new line set installed or a new canopy. Jot that measurement down somewhere safe. Then before you send it out for a reline measure the same lines again. A quick note, the inside C (center cell) lines will elongate the most on both Vectran and Technora. As far as Tecnora, The 340 lb that we put on stretches pretty much the same as Vectran but not any more than that. We have been taking measurements on all removed Technora linesets for R&D. You are right as to the elongation being somewhat uniform, alot more than the shrinkage of Spectra! Lastly, all line material is weaker when side loaded. With that said, We have NEVER had a failure at a casscade point, as far as I know! So I would say the casscade issue is a moot point. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Red, No matter what the size of the canopy, the canopy will fly better/smoother without the constant PC oscilation from an inflated PC. The inflated PC causes airfoil distortion which combined with turbulence can cause some issues during landings. To answer your question, I would recommend a Collaspable PC. It is also recommended in the owners manual. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

My base history as far as jumping is limited. My building and/or building BASE gear is more extensive. I agree ALL 7 cell canopys are not the same, but I did write MOST. BASE Canopies of today still open, fly and land much like as the late '80's and early '90's seven cell canopies. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chad, I have jumped most of everything out there, but that is not the point. Most 7 cell canopies whether they are BASE canopies or skydiving canopies have similar if not exactly the same flying characteristics. The one difference is whether it is vented are not. Recovering from a stall is simply that, recovery. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

YEP... AD (Advisory Directive) AD's can be written for anything that is thought to be a saftey related hazard. Parts and equipment are the most prominent ones out there though! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Pete, I am in CA for a couple more weeks. When I get back home and in the shop,I will post some PICs and more info. As far as the transition thin; I have never had a problem or noticed any different from any other 7 cell BASE type canopy. The canopy has been jumped from as low as 160 feet and no problems. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Dave, Yes, that is correct. I was in OK City this summer attending a meeting with the FAA guys. Some of them had suggested an AD for the issue of Senior riggers working outside of the limitations of their certificates. So, one is in the making. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

P.J.. Sorry if I seemed "Nervy". It was NOT intended to be!! Sorry again if it seemed so. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, First off, AC's are used to further define the law and for guidance for rulemaking. The PPM is not! Senior riggers are the only ones that seem to think a senior rigger can replace lines! Think about it! Although there are several other areas that clearly define Major repairs, Modifications, and alterations to parachutes, most Senior riggers forget their previous training that explained that in detail. An "emergency" AD is being brought up and written as I write this, to put a stop to that flawed thought process. It should be out in Late Feburary! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The text below is paragraph 12 from AC-105-2C. Please read the part refering to line replacement. It is considered a major repair. Major repairs can not be done legally by Senior riggers unless supervised by a Master rigger. Does not matter if it is a certified or non- certified(Main) MEL 12 REPAIRS. repairs. Parachute repairs can be classed as major repairs or minor A major repair, as defined in FAR Section 1.1, is a repair **...that, if improperly done, might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight charactevistics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.” (Balance and powerplant operation do not apply to parachutes.) A minor repair, as defined in FAR Section l.1, 8t . ..means a repair other than a major repair." Major repairs to parachutes may be made by a master parachute rigger, an appropriately rated parachute loft, or a manufacturer. Examples of major repairs are. replacement of a canopy panel or suspension line, or sewing a large patch on a canopy. The parachute manufacturer’s instructions should be followed when completing repairs to any .portion of the parachute. Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Johnny, Being casscaded are not has absolutely nothing to do with the longevity of the lines. It is how it is sewn and whether or not it has UV protection on the line material. A standard bartack is not to be used for smaller HMA material. We have some line sets (Blue Colored Technora) going through 1200 jumps with no breakage vs. earlier non-colored breaking anywhere from 200 to 600 jumps. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Hi Guys, No, The Stealth did not come out of nowhere! It has been around almost 6 years. The design is borrowed from the Sharpcuter, but has a alot of differences. The rib is basically the same. Different top skins and slightly modified bottom skins. It also was the first canopy around that implemented direct line attachment stabs. (The stabs are smaller than the SC). The direct line stabs were geared to assure on heading openings alot like the rudder on a surfboard or waterski. and they work!!! The canopy was intially test jumped by myself and Tony Herring. Tony used it for the Carolina Boogie if you know what and where. Base 515 was with him most of the time. The canopy is cut and sewn by Flight Concepts and then we line them. Red Payne at FCI can also give you some info. It is a great canopy and I use it also for demo jumps... great landings! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

181 sq Ft I believe! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I like that!!!! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Exactly....The A1's on most canopies are at the stabilizer while the A5's are in the center. On PD canopies(why they did it like this I do not know) it is reversed with A1's in the center with A5's at the stab. What happens is probably more riggers have changed out PD line sets than others. They get accustomed to that method. Then they get an Icarus line set and install it without following the directions. With the line set installed in reverse, the center lines will be longer and the outside shorter, making the canopy very prone to nose inversions.(we are talking mainly Eliptical canopies here) The short of it is, the canopy could collapse in turbulence very easily if installed incorrectly. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bob, First off, Great Job! The above quote is exactly why I hate to hear jumpers say that they never want to see their reserve canopy. These jumpers are also the ones that have never had a reserve ride and think it is "voodoo" or bad karma to ever see their reserve canopy. I believe it sets up an automatic delay in their response to an emergency procedure. again good job, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You and I both. Feburary 1992, Deland , FL Just reviewed my EP's before leaving the plane. That was something Mike Michigan had instilled in me years before. He had taught me to visualize a certain malfuction(a different one each time), and to mentally go through the EP's. Luckily for me, I had just mentally reviewed a PC in tow. At about 1500 ft (I know!), deployed and the PC had tied itself in a knot. Pulled silver, got open at 300-400 ft. If I had wasted time to cut away......... I agree, get something over your head and then deal with it! Safe Ones, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com