masterrigger1

Please call "Red" @ 770-458-1516 and let him know what your problems are. Something isn't right as those canopies usually have great openings. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chuck, For the record here are the real facts: Dacron- It has resistance to wear but does stretch. It usually goes out of trim (gets longer in dimensions)at the center cell and brake lines first. It does not shrink at all. Comes standard in 525lb, 600lb, and 900lb. Spectra - This shrinks and will not stretch(relative to the loaded dimensions). Usually shrinks most at the outer most lines and also the brake lines. It wears well, thus giving the user a "false" sense of being in good shape, when actually the lines are out of trim.The 500lb goes out of trim really fast compared to the other sizes. It comes in 500lb, 725lb, and 1000lb. There is no such animal as 825lb. This is a number used by PD to differentiate between their unsized (uncoated)725lb that they use on their reserves.CSR, the line manufactuer, sells them the line labeled as 725lb. Vectran-Does not stretch,is dimensionally stable, but wears the fastest of the line types. This line usually last 400-600 jumps on the average canopy. Vectran comes in 580lb, 725lb, 1050lb, and 1600lb. HMA-Has vectran-like characteristics except that it has a better wear componet. But here is the scary part- the polymer can stress crack in areas that are sewn. In other words, you never know if and when the line may break. This is one of the reasons that they do not cascade the lines. It also is hard to fingertrap. Hope this help answer some questions, "MEL" Mark E. Lancaster The Icarus Service Center 2222 Buffalo-West Springs Hwy. Buffalo, SC 29321 Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[This seems inconsistent to me on the recent ruling about assembling the CYPRES on a CYPRES ready rig. According to this, if the rig doesn't leave the factory with the CYPRES installed, assembled, or whatever, then it has been changed or altered. So, can a senior rigger assemble a CYPRES into a new rig that is CYPRES ready or not? Too much is left open to interpretation and the interpretations are far too inconsistent. The BOC thing is another good example. The original design configuation gives an option of BOC or ROL. A senior rigger is not changing it, they are assembling it. According to "AC105-2C Par 8. Parachute alterations. Parachute alterations are changes made to the FAA-approved configuration." ] The FAA came out with the ruling (after much debate from Cliff Schmucker along with others during the J. Michael thing) that a rig that has the installation kit installed at the factory, can be assembled in the field by a Senior rigger. If the kit had to be installed, it had to bre done by either the manufacturer or a Master Rigger with the proper equipment BS, Mark Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

In regards to the manufacturer's instructions, they can only go so far as to who can do whateverer. Far example , the Jump Shack has some instructions that are basically; in my opinion; a violation of the F.A.R.'s. They state that a senipr rigger can modifiy(their words) their freebag assembly. You have to know the F.A.R.'s, their content, and the local F.S.D.O.'s ruling on certain subject matter before actually doing the work.There have been some definitions redefined in the last two years from the F.A.A., here are some: *Supervised Packing - The rigger has to be close enough to be able to answer an immediate question - no delay *Any changes made to a harness container from it's original configuration are considered alterations.This means that a rig that had a ROL on it when it left the factory, can not have a BOC pocket put on it by a senior rigger.Remember "to change" is also the same as "to alter".This same Senior rigger could replace a BOC pocket if it came with one.(go figure!) *Repairs(patches) on canopies(main or reserve) that encompass a seam are considered master rigger work. *Line repair in any fashion is considered Master Rigger work. The reasoning is that it could affect "airworthiness". The bottom line is to get the Master Rating as soon as possible and be done with it. As far as the F.A.A. is concerned, they seem to view the Senior rigger is a beginner rigger, alot like a Private Pilot rating is a beginning pilot . Mark Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com