masterrigger1

Steve, Let's see if I can answer some of your Questions: First, I see more seat packs from pilots than chest packs. Second, if you have a early model Racer,you can log it as a chest or back, but not seat. Why? Because in the early years of sport parachuting all of the reserves were on the front (chest) and that is the rating most riggers had at that time. Then the "piggyback" system came out. It simply was a chest pack that clipped on the top of the main container on the back. The same chest rated riggers could pack them and be legal. The H/C later evolved to the "tandem"system of today's style of containers. Jump Shack and Relative Workshop had allowed (in their FAA approved instructions)for chest rated riggers to be able to pack them. Again that was the rating that most riggers had and all of the reserves at that time were rounds, not squares. Bill Booth would be the person to ask if you can log a later version of the Wonderhog as chest. Third, the most chest packs I see are mine. I have about 8 of different types for my PC's and students to use during rigger training. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Hey "No Name Entered", You have some valid points! AD's take longer to get authorized and published than the Special Bulletins, and look how long it took to get the bulletin out to us! The manufacturer's instructions are "approved" by the FAA as part of the TSO process.They are a requirement. I think SB's from the FAA's standpoint, are EXPECTED to be complied with rather than REQUIRED to be complied with. What's the difference? I do not have a clue! Agreed! But at the same time, riggers and jumpers will continue to go beyond their capabilities (lack of skill and equipment), and some riggers beyond their certificate limitations. Last week alone I had two canopies that came in with lines installed inside out (wrong).) They were not installed by Master Riggers nor with the proper equipment either. One customer wanted to know why his canopy suddenly started to fold up in turblence!!!!!!!!!! So,if you do what your last sentence states, there should be no problem or question. I think you answered your own question! Safe Ones, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Bump!!! Also if you had a line to break .. please state the particulars please. Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mark, Actually it is; it's spelled out somewhere regarding canopy history. It is also one of the suggested tasks in the Practical test for riggers. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It is supposed to be done! Younger riggers nowadays MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ok. People that are jumping Vectran lines. How many jumps are you getting out of them and have you had any lines to break? If so, Was it the suspension lines or the contol lines? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, I have to totally disagree with you here! The dis-color comes from the SS grommets. The vectran polishes them just like polishing silverware. The heat from the slider friction does not effect the lines or it's strength.(sure, over time the friction has some effect) The melting point is through the roof compared to Spectra and dacron. I relined over 700 canopies last year and at least half of them were Vectran. I probably saw maybe two or three canopies with broken lines, Maybe!!! and those had over 800 jumps on them. Vectran has changed the way it is braided since the very first applications. The earlier canopies had a problem, agreed, but not since the carrier and fiber count was increased and a synthethic coating applied. Again, If vectran lines are breaking, we do not see them here. Blue ones, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Leaving them as they are would be my suggestion! You would probably do more harm than good. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Me too and they pack well, but...... The factory and also Master Riggers can do that modification, though most just send them back to Precision. We changed out quite a few here. The same people were jumping canopies from Glide Path and PD at the same wing loadings( or close) with no problems. I have had at least four reserve rides or more on the 135 Micro-Raven and will have no more! Sold all of mine and replaced them with Mini-Crickets and PD 126R's. I hear good things about the R-Max.. Maybe George could send me a demo, I would try it out. Yet!!!!!! It's probably in the mail! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That is also the case here in the USA. The Cypres has to be maintained in accordance with the Manufacturer's recommendations/instructions through out the 120 day repack cycle to be legal. This also includes battery life/cycles. This is the reason for the extra 3 months on the life cycle and the battery life cycle. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

when and how much$$ MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Matt, No problem. Let me know if you need the service manual. I think I have one for it. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Belinda, Your two PPM's(with your name well written on everything}. Your logbook if you already have one. You will be issued tools to work with there. You can buy them at the end of the course if needed. My days there run from 5AM to 11PM; yours should be 7AM-9-9:30 PM. Please bring any medicines that you could need for headaches , flu, and colds. Airborne would be recommended daily as someone there always has brought something to give everyone else!!!!!!!! Do not bring personal gear expected to be packed there. Power Bars. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Problem #2 - The feed dog is moving at the same time that the take-up arm is pulling the stitch together. The extra movement makes the top stitch tighter. There is an eccentric adjustment for that. A service manual for that machine may be needed. What class/sub-class is it?? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I have many, but the the last four I bought where the S&W 500's(50 cal). Massive Pistol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never shot a one of them! Can't afford it! One 15 round box cost me $39.50 MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

First Check the twist of the red thread... it should be "Z" TwistPull out your PPM and follow the instructions for checking the twist. Second, is the thread bonded or not?? Bonded thread works better! Third, how did you check the timing? The later models do not have the shuttle driver pinned in place. That means you have to set the needle stroke first, then set the hook to the needle second. With the needle at it's lowest point, rotate the handwheel until the needle bar rises about .100 - .125 ". The point of the hook should be at the back/center of the needle and about 1/16" above the eye of the needle. With the earlier pinned versions, all you have to set is the needle bar position in relation to the hook(Easy). MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here's my cocker "Maddie' and myself asleep after a hard day of jumping!!! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Nuclear Engineer -I recertify Nuke Plants worldwide to be safe for restarting after a shutdown(thermal cycle). I do that about 3-4 months a year. The other time is left for my rigging shop as a Master rigger and DPRE. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

There are numerous numbering systems out there because each manufacturer wanted to sell replacement needles. I can think of about ten different systems out there. You can buy a code book from Honeycutt & Co. It will give you all of the answers to your questions. The shank size changes as the needle size increases. It is pretty weird! 1.64 mm, 1.90mm, and 2.02mm MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, I can't remember the specifics, but I have some flat dacron in the shop. I think it was for a round Canopy. Now, that I think about it, didn't the five cell Swift have flat Dacron lines?? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Kelly, Dave Dewolf has one that he may sell you! PM me if you want his #. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Teason, Pure Cycles of the different fibers are not all that we are looking for in line material. Also, as you may already know, changing the fiber, carrier and bundle count changes the strength of each material In the case of Spectra,it may have lasted longer, but the desired length of it will have diminished well beyond the other fibers. So, In the parachute world it would not be the winner. You remind me of my friend who is a chemist. This is his exact field. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mostly correct! The one part that is not correct is Spectra goes out of trim FASTER than Dacron. Dacron is also more consistent in regards to how much stretch vs number of jumps. With Spectra, you just never know when it is out of trim unless you measure the lines regularly. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Thanks... That should work! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Has anyone got any contact info for Steve Blincoe??? Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com