brettpobastad

I've got a Monarch 135 that was built in 1991. It was a factory demo canopy when I got it in 1994 and I have put well over a thousand jumps on it. Since it was a demo, There's no way of knowing how many jumps were on it before I got it but it's safe to assume that there are over a couple thousand jumps total on the canopy. I finally had it religned about two years ago. It was my main canopy up until about a 8 months ago when I downsized to a Batwing 116. For reference purposes, I'm about 5'10" and weigh just over 200 lbs out the door. I have several thousand jumps on a lot of differant parachutes including rounds, triangles, 5 cells, 7 cells and most types of ZP and semi- elliptical parachutes out there today. The smallest, fastest canopy I have jumped is a Jedi 105. I am not a swooper in the Andy Farrington sense but I enjoy a good high performance landing and I understand the concept. The Monarch series canopy is a non-elliptical, 9-cell all zero-porosity canopy with micro lines. I believe the smallest size they made was a 105 and the largest was over 200 square feet. The canopy roughly compares to the PD Sabre in design and in flight characteristics. I feel that it has slightly less forward speed in full flight and is a bit less responsive then the Sabre. I also feel that landing the Monarch is a bit more manageable and there is a bit more 'ommph' in the flare when it's time to shut it down. (As a side note, my experiences over the years with Precision versus PD products tell me that PD canopies are a bit zippier then their Precision counterparts. The average jumper would probably never notice the difference.) The Monarch, along with the Sabre and the Para-flite Robo series were among the first ZP high performance canopies made in the United States. I believe the only other of the type out there at that time (late 80's, early 90's) was the Blue Track series of canopies made in France. I have no facts to back up this next statement but I believe that what the manufacturers did back then was to take an existing design and change the materials. Thus, a PD Sabre 150 is really just a PD-150 and a Preciscion Aerodynamics Monarch 155 is really just a Falcon 150, with zero-porosity material and micro-lines. I should also mention that I tend to favor Precision products. Just personal taste and no reflection on PD products of course. So what do i think about the parachute? I think it's a great canopy! Back in the day Only ten or so years ago, it was considered among the hottest canopies out there and only experienced jumpers (I believe the call them 'canopy pilots' now) were considered able to reliably handle them. They are considered docile now and you can get 'em pretty cheap. THE PROS: Solidly built, fun and easy to fly. predictable and easily manageble landings with a wider margine of error, comparativley. You can still move it through air pretty quickly and wow the crowd if you know what you are doing (as long as Andy isn't around, I guess) THE CONS: They tend to open hard. Particularly as they age. When packing, roll the nose (but not too much). Make your line stoes neat, even and a bit on the longer side. Use mini rubberbands for everything but the locking stows (use regular size rubbers for those. DO NOT use tube stoes and DO NOT double stow. Stay away from small pilot chutes with long bridles and consider having your rigger add pockets to your slider. The other bad thing is that like anything else out there, the Monarch can kill you dead just like that ICKY-BOB 63 you saw last month on the cover of Parachutist. These days, jumpers with realitivley little experience with high performance canopies are starting out on Monarchs and Sabres. These are the same parachutes that puckered some butts of very experienced jumpers back a few years ago and now they are considered slow. They are not. They are high-performance canopies so be carefull. Brett "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Well said, Tom. Reporters are human beings as well. They get it right. They get it wrong. But if you treat them like the enemy, the odds of getting a fair and accurate account of the story probably don't go up any. And believe me, they will write a story. Even if it's just something like "I have no comment" or "witness refused to provide information" And that's even worse. You need look no further than the Kapowsin story. When dealing with the media... Be honest and courteous and chances are they will reciprocate. If they contact you, call them back, even if you don't have any information to share. If you are in a leadership position (DZO, S&TA, etc.) be proactive and contact them first. They will be more likely to be sensitive to the situation. If you are contacted by the media and you choose to provide them with information, and I cannot stress this enough....TELL THEM THE TRUTH! And only tell them what facts you know. Don't make up a story or fill in the blanks. Even if you might be right. Statements like "It was blanks fault because blank shouldn't have been under him" only make things worse because you weren't there !. These situations are where a drop zone owner earns his pay. Dirty business. Drop zones should have a plan to address media issues, both good and bad. As an individual, you are under no legal or moral responsibility to "toe the company line" but it's a good idea to know who to direct the media to for more complete information. Call your DZO and ask him personally. And do it NOW, before it happens at your drop zone. And it WILL happen at your drop zone sooner or later. The drop zone, or whomever it designates as media liaison, should contact these media outlets after the fact, to correct inaccuracies, to clarify a position or just to give an update on how things are going for the 'survivors', which is all of us. It's the right thing to do and they might be even more sensitive and contact that media liaison the next time there is a situation. The media are not our enemies. I am convinced that if you are open and honest and RIGHT. Things will work out for the best. Be good, be honest, be helpful. Hey, we're SKYDIVERS, man! Rest In Peace, Mr. Wing and say hi to my dad. You'll know who he is. Brett

Gus -fucking- WING for chrissakes... "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

I don't care what anyone says, including Bill Booth. The Skyhook is an answer to a question that hasn't been asked yet. I'm all for marketing, but let us be up front about it. Where is the need?

It 'almost' hugs your body like a Racer? "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Well, that's damn nice of you to say! Thanks... "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

My dad put me out on my first four satic line jumps in 1976. I was seventeen and he's gone now. I sure would like to make a jump with him now. "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Always, I repeat ALWAYS ....stay with the student. "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

Obviously, a rigger can choose not to pack any rig, for any reason. He can even say "I don't like it" and I guess that's a good enough reason. The problem I have with this train of thought is that a rigger will say "I don't like it" or " It's too hard" or “I don’t know how” and then the perception is that there is something wrong with a particular brand. I feel that part of what makes a good rigger is the ability to give out sound, informed and un-biased information. You certainly can’t count on a drop zone owner or equipment manufacturer for that. Rigs come and go, or get ‘updated’. And you can look at the design of the Racer two ways; either it’s an old design that needed an update a long time ago, or that maybe the basic design was sound from the beginning and still does the job in the present. Change is fine if it makes something work better or last longer (throw-out pilot chutes and three-ring release), change for the sake of change (soft housings and slinks) is called ‘marketing’. And there’s nothing wrong with that but at least have a little bit of respect for yourself and your customer and be up front about it. And if you think about it, nowadays they are all pretty much the same. The cutaway handle is on the right and the reserve ripcord is on the left and they all hold two parachutes. I have my reasons for choosing the Racer and I can quote you chapter and verse the reasons why. But you won’t hear me say that a Javelin isn’t as safe or a Vector is an obsolete design because it simply isn’t true. I’ve said it a million times: I dare anyone to show me what is wrong with a Racer! And don’t be bringing me the one about the time you saw riser a pop out of your brother’s ex-girlfriend’s SST back in ’82. Do your homework. If your rigger tells you that he won’t pack your Racer ‘cause they’re too hard and he doesn’t like the design, try not to giggle as you turn away to go find another rigger. In my opinion, the hardest rig to pack is a Power Racer with a Cypres and a PD-106 reserve. But I’ll pack it and I give a $5 discount for Racers

There used to be a DZ at the Paso Robles airport through the late 90's. It is now located in Lompoc (about an hour and a half South) an it is called Skydive Santa Barbara. The owner's name is Dave Hughes and the website is www.skydivesantabarbara.com Tell 'em Brett Martin sentcha!

Come on, Ron. Brett D. Bastard? I know a smart fella such as yourself can do better then that.

I read these replys to my posts, and I think: Did I say that? Could I have possibly given these people the wrong impression? So I go back for the tenth time and re-read my initial message. And of course, no, I didin't say that and if I gave the wrong impresion, well, I apologize (again). One more time, for the record...again! The benefits of having an RSL far outweigh the drawbacks. It's that simple. It's that black and white. Years of statistics support this. (Common sense supports this as well but there seems to be a shortage of that around our sport these days.) The RSL is not foolproof. The RSL presents its own set of potential problems. I do not recommend using an RSL when doing CRW or when flying camera. With the exception of students, the choice of whether or not to use an RSL should always be left up to the individual. (Ironically enough, I don't use one) When making this decision. Get all the facts. Be informed. (that doesn't mean just because the rigger with a thousand jumps and the matching rig and jumpsuit combination says so) And this last point. This last very important point: If you are in a position of influence (and we all are to some degree) You are morally obligated to present all the facts. What chills me is that after all of this discussion, 'Rigger Ron' and 'Hook and Loop' and that guy with the cute little Calvin and Hobbes cartoon are going to be sittin' around the 'ol bonfire drinking beer an some young jumper looking for his first rig will ask the question: Whatdou fellas think about RSLs? And old Rex will puff out his chest and say: "Ahh never use the things...cause too many entanglements" and leave it at that. That's the real point of this debate. Brett

Ron First of all, thank you for getting involved in the debate. It helps all of us if we continue to discuss these issues. However, either you didn’t read what I wrote or you didn’t understand what I meant. I apologize for not being clear. Two of my statements you responded to: “Anyone who believes that the perceived or potential drawbacks of having an RSL outweigh the very real benefits of having one SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!” Now read it again closely, Ron. Do you really believe that with all the statistics and information, including which you have provided, That there is more of a potential for an RSL to cause a problem as opposed to potentially saving a life? If you truly believe that, and worse, if you are passing along that theory to other jumpers, then you are doing a disservice to the sport. You presented five examples. Only one of which makes a somewhat direct connection to the RSL. But lets assume for a minute that all of your examples, and twice that many, could be directly attributed to an RSL. There are five times as many examples of where an RSL would have made a difference. And yes, lets just say it: saved a life. I guess I just assumed everyone was aware of that. I contacted Jim Crouch from USPA and, of course, statistics seem back me up. The second statement that you responded to: “I challenge anyone to find a single, documented example of where a properly installed RSL did its job and caused an injury or fatality” Again, either you didn’t read the question, or you didn’t understand it’s meaning. You did, however, provide me with some examples. Thank you. But your examples didn’t help your position. Yes, it is clear that there was an RSL present in all of your examples. In all but one, the RSL only came into play after another component failed. Using that as a reason for not using an RSL is like saying you won’t wear seat belts because you might get drunk and drive into a lake and not be able to get them off. You go on ahead if you want, but don’t drag an unsuspecting young jumper with you. Thanks for your time, Ron. Brett Martin This from Jim Crouch: Hi Brett, You are correct that the jumpers advising against use of an RSL are giving advice without knowing the statistics, or having any true knowledge of the subject. The fact is that reserves open faster if you are not stable. Spring loaded pilot chutes are more effective if they are launched into clean air, not into the burble of a stable jumper. As for entanglements the statistics do not support that theory either. Since 1990 there have been 25 fatalities where an RSL may have changed the outcome. In the same timeframe there have been 4 fatalities where a jumper was entangled in some way after a cutaway and an RSL was part of the equipment. One of these actually did not involve a cutaway. It was due to a riser failing which deployed the reserve while the main canopy was still attached at the other riser. In the other cases where there was an entanglement, it is not necessarily clear what happened, but if the reserve system launches as it is designed there should not be enough time for an entanglement to occur before the reserve gets line stretch and begins inflation. I hear a lot of jumpers stating that they won’t use an RSL because they are jumping a fast canopy and don’t want the reserve opening while they are back-to-earth, right after they cut away from spinning line twist. This is also a decision based on no true knowledge of the situation. I have had 5 cutaways in this same type of situation under a main canopy loaded at 2.0:1, and each time the reserve was deployed by an RSL while I was spinning on my back during the release of the main canopy. In each case the reserve was fully inflated, with no line twist, less than 100 feet from my main canopy. One of them even included a large Sony 700 digital camera on top of my helmet. In fact the video images can be found at http://www.skydivethepoint.com/reserveride.htm The instability argument is simply misunderstood and not supported by the statistics. Feel free to pass on the statistics to those who may benefit from the information. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can. By the way, four of those reserve rides were on a canopy which was way out of trim. I quit jumping it after the fourth chop! Regards, Jim Crouch Director of Safety and Training United States Parachute Association

I realize this is an old topic that has been beat to death. I am researching this subject because there is a trend lately to disconnect or remove an RSL. There are, of course, situations where having an RSL may not be the best choice. Other then for students, it should be an informed, personal decision. After reading some of the comments (many of which make sense) I feel the need to ad to the debate. Anyone who believes that the perceived or potential drawbacks of having an RSL outweigh the very real benefits of having one SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! I could present many instances in the past where having an RSL realistically would have opened a person’s reserve and probably saved their life. I challenge anyone to find a single, documented example of where a properly installed RSL did its job and caused an injury or fatality. Simple numbers suggest that a jumper (especially newer jumpers) are far more likely to cutaway and fail to deploy their reserve or initiate emergency procedures at an unsafe altitude versus experiencing an unstable reserve deployment due to the RSL doing its job. In short, if you believe that a reserve static line would cause more problems then they prevent, you must also believe that Nigel’s amplifier really is louder because it goes to ‘11’.

Be careful who you let swoop your tandem. Better yet, stay away from it altogether until you gain experience. You will be pressured from your friends as well as those of the your students. Especially if either one of you is cute. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWOOP A TANDEM CANOPY! It's not necessary. The student gets nothing out of it. You drastically reduce your margin of error. It's the equivalent of the fat, bald guy in the Corvette. Don't try to stand up a landing unless you are sure it will work. A well executed butt slide looks infinitley more graceful then the 'Swoop Kirwin tuck-and-roll'

The 'case of beer' rule states (and I quote): The buyer gets to chooses what brand to purchase. There must be 24 cans or bottles. "It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

I'm right here, DD! In my skin! Brett

My dad was my jumpmaster.

a million.

How many do you want me to have?

Never, ever leave a student in the airplane. It's bad ju-ju if nothing else. A jumpmaster is morally responsible for his student until they are back in the hanger.

RR Your wrong about ram-air canopies opening more orderly and quicker than round canopies. What data do you have on this subject? PS I've never heard of a canopy getting 'confused' while opening.

It's amazing to me how people will make a statement about the Racer rig without having any experience with them at all! I would submit that the person who has seen all those incidents of Racer flaps coming undone probably doesn't even know what a Racer looks like! I've got four or five thousand jumps. Mostly on Jump Shack gear of many vintages. Relative work, tandem, skysurfing, freeflying, CRW. I have NEVER had a problem with the velcro. Yes, the Racer can be a bit harder to pack than other rigs. It's also a little bit more challenging to work on a Corvette as opposed to a Buick Regal. Another automobile analogy: what do you do when the tires on your car wear out?

Why on earth would anyone use soft links on a reserve?

Bill Has there been any incidents of the 'three cutaway cable system' causing any problems? I would submit that this type of system (such as the one on the Jump Shack tandem rig) is more likely to save someone than to cause a problem. Respectfully Brett Martin