councilman24

There have been more updates than the one you mentioned. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Strange I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Don't quite understand what we're seeing. If ash from an out and cold smoke I wouldn't have expected it to go through. If it was hot I'd call it damage that needs repair. Even if it was cold I'd expect the residue to be caustic. I'd give up on the idea cleaning is enough. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

What's worse is the thought that Batgirl was 78! I may not be old for my age, just OLD. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

No where NEAR this simple. The FAA handbook is one manufacturer's opinion (the one who wrote it.) NOT the FAA's. Although now inspectors rely on it and some maintain it's the only allowable way to do anything. Poynter's is as much tradition as logical or regulatory interpretation, although again the FAA relied on it in the absence of anything else. Of course very little of Poynter's is original. And there are some inspectors and DPRE's that will tell you the manufacturer's instructions cannot and does not trump an FAA interpretation. Some of the above I agree with and some don't. And rather than a bar tack many chest straps end with 5 cord harness machine straight stitches. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Most riggers younger than us probably don't know that closing loops can be made from anything other than cypres cord. And don't have any gutted 550 laying around. And even I don't have type I around. Hmmm, actually I do somewhere but haven't seen it in 15 years. BTW how did you "educate" these riggers? Death rigs deserve dropping dime to regulatory the agency. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

No chest strap procedure, so this is the closest match. Therefore one could put 2 and 2 together and suggest master is probably recommended for the chest too. At least, that is how I would interpret it. While published by the FAA this is actually one manufacturer's opinion. But once it's written by a contractor and published they publish it, with out any peer review or consensus, the FAA considers it a source for questions and the 'right' answers for test questions as well as a reference for inspectors. You have to parse what is simply wrong, opinion and fact. Some will tell you to rely on the manufacturer and others will tell you that many manufacturers are giving illegal statements about who can do what. Both will tell you that's what the FAA will tell you. Have fun and keep your local inspector happy. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Legally probably. Historically, often done by anyone. I've seen it done wrong and unsafe, wouldn't let a baby rigger do it, and would recommend against it for resale value. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

One additional toggle lock occurred to a jumper at my dz. This jumper bought after market toggles at a boogie, source unknown. He does not pull his slider down and his risers were not equipped with toggle nose hoods. The toggles were made with excess space between the grommet and the zig zag stitch on the nose. This left a very soft and flexible area above the grommet. The toggle was set 'deep', the jumper not recognizing the risk. The sterring line sucked this soft area through the keeper ring and prevented release. A tree landing and severe laceration resulted. I used to make custom colored toggles and it added a small customization to rigs. OEM equipment is best but if you go for after market components make sure they are compatible, be it risers, toggles, PC's, dbags, sliders, etc.

We only had one on the dz. It was the poor jumper who could get it cheap because no one else wanted it. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Repost from next door thread. The one George Galloway tried to sell based on radio tracking equipment from falconry didn't sell. I don't see this making it for several reasons. Complexity, cost, continuing cost and as mentioned in other thread if company goes bust you've got a worthless investment. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Pack volumes here http://www.pia.com/piapubs/TSDocuments/TS-104CanopyVolume.pdf Unit 546 ci PD 190 around 440 ci May not fit. And I can't imagine any world I'd jump a Unit instead of a PD 190. I don't think the Unit is going to go any slower. IIRC it was trimmed pretty step but it's been 25 years since I saw one. I don't think it's going to be a good option for you. There's a reason they still make the PD 190, at least up until a couple of years ago, and the Unit didn't out last the 80's, and you found an unused one (no one wanted to jump it). It's also from a time when the brake systems weren't necessarily standardized. Try to find someone that remembers whether it can be set with standard toggles at the standard 4" from the end of the riser. Did they really start making it in the 70's? I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Haven't had time to set down at a computer to answer this thread till now. Those that know me know I have strong opinions. For history I have two C-9 jumps in 1978, 6 or 7 35' T-10 jumps in 1980, around 300 Competition PC jumps in the early to mid 80's, one Phantom 24 landing, two lopo landings (one Crossbow and the other I don't remember), and one Phantom 28' landing in 2005 (hit the peas from 1/2 mile out and 5000' exit, throwing T-10 students for years taught me how to spot). I pack mostly PEP's including Butler HX and LoPo canopies, Softies with various canopies, a couple of Nationals with Phantom Aerostars, lots of Strongs with various Strong Lopo's (mostly midlite, won't pack a lite) and Strongs with C-9's. For the most part I won't pack any rig without a diaper. I've never seen the quarter bag Lee talks about, not sure why. I do have a couple of Strong Squadron seats with C-9's that I pack for good customers although I'm trying to talk them out of them. I don't pack old military rigs without diapers or quarter bags because I believe there are more reliable, from an opening standpoint, choices available. I don't see a reason to put someone on a 12 lb C-9 that may invert when there are more reliable choices available for their last chance to live. I recently was given two Strong seats to pack. They were 2001 Squadron seats with 1953 C-9's in them. Smelly, stained, with colors run. They were last packed in 2006. These canopies are over 60 years old. They are closer in years to the date of the first intentional PEP freefall jump in 1919 than today. They might be airworthy but would you use a 60 year old spool of thread to sew a new canopy? If not why pack one sewn with 60 year old thread? Yes, I know degradation is supposed to be low but I can't test every inch. As to new C-9's. Butler doesn't have a source anymore. I called three weeks ago and they couldn't supply them. Strong has DOM 2000 surplus canopies that they list for $1500. Butler also no longer will sell their diaper for C-9's. I have one new old stock on hand. I have two Butler seats with C-9's I service. Can't for the life of me figure out why they sold the guy C-9's when they had their canopies available. Neither did Roberto when I told him. The guy ordering them was flying a war bird and for some reason the sales guy at that time on the phone recommended the C-9. I don't believe any of my pilots will be able to get out of their aircraft going fast enough to need the strength of a C-9. For the big guys I recommend Butler LoPo's with sliders. For the normal size guys I usually sell them FFE Preserve's or Strong Lopo's. I have no experience with Avaitor's other than watching video. But I don't see any reason to recommend them over modern rounds for non skydivers. For skydivers I recommend Softies with normal ram air reserves. In one case I was selling new parachutes to a 70 plus year old wealthy war bird pilot flying a Hell Cat. He in theory might have needed a C-9. But could he get out going fast enough to need it AND with an extra 6 lbs hanging on his butt? I sold him Preserve I's. Suspended weight was not an issue. I have recently realized I may have been wrong on one issue. Rate of descent of a C-9. I remember them crashing into the ground when I weighed 170. I could stand up the 35' T-10 some of the time at 170lb. Manley's table on his website only has three canopies descending SLOWER than a C-9 with everything else faster. Is this right? I wouldn't have thought the 80-120 cfm fabric, oscillating C-9 would have been that slow based on my experience with the T-10's. Anyway, I pack a couple of non diapered C-9's only because they are very good warbird customers. And on my advice they don't use them routinely, only for their passenger seats. The ones I pack are 2000 or newer. And I don't recommend them to anyone. While military rigs have saved 10's of thousands of lives there are just better choices available to my customers. I haven't packed (for use) a military seat or Navy back in 20 years. And don't see the need for ram airs on non skydiving pilots. I used to pack bailout rigs for two guys with L-39 jets with decommissioned ejection seats. These guys I had C-9's on. But they still likely wouldn't manage to use them at speeds where they needed them. But maybe. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Those won't work in a tall hanger and under a suspended ceiling you may not get enough tension. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Yes I would be concerned about it getting snagged. There may be folded metal edges or ends that are sharp or at a point. The screws the wing nuts go on may be sharp. In addition the clamps wouldn't slide with the trusses or the assembly screws getting in the way. 8' isn't very wide, even if you could slide it. In addition I think these would fall over. Normally you stretch the lines out to the side by putting the rig on a stand, chair or the floor. While you don't pull it tight I think the weight of the lines etc would pull them over. That could be solved with weights on the tripods but if it needs to be portable I think you'd be better off putting something together from PVC pipe. Make some of the parts nest and leave particular junctions unglued. Sometimes low tech is better than high tech. Which includes a chair or step ladder instead of a pulley system, at least for a portable system. http://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Pipes-Fittings-PVC-Pipe-Fittings/2%22/N-5yc1vZbuf5Z1z0x2di Three and four packs of three way and four way junctions available. My track is like this product but mine was industrial remodel salvage (free) http://www.curtain-tracks.com/applications/workshops-paint-booths/recmar-3118-heavy-duty-ceiling-mount-track.html Still not particularly expensive. Here is maybe a better option like what you posted. Different use and couldn't find load capability. 20' wide also available. http://www.backdropoutlet.com/HEAVY-DUTY-BACKGROUND-STAND/productinfo/EX121/ This may be the best deal. You can use the light stands for inspection! http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUDIO-LIGHTING-PHOTOGRAPHY-STUDIO-3-backdrops-2-stands-PHOTO-LIGHT-KIT-/231626447575?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ee031ad7 Now stop talking about it and do it. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I have a heavy duty shower curtain rod. Actually it's an industrial u track with travelling eyes. It was used for thr strip vinyl curtains that you see on freezer doors at commercial warehouses but this was around a cage washer. Suspended from the suspended ceiling frame with small spring clamp attached. This lets me spread or collapse the canopy like a shower curtain so I don't need full width, even though I have enougk track. All you need on any ceiling.are a couple.of screw hooks into joists. Then hange the pulleys and bar when needed. I have one in the living room over the basement stairs for hanging rounds. Hook painted to match ceiling.and you never see it. We ended up with on made out of black pipe at the symposium. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I was waiting for a balloon to take.out.the drone. And there is a neighborhood in CO thats.neads some of these asap. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Spyderko rescue knives have a straight blunt tip serrated blade and probably will work well. Other brands also. With the kevlar line I'd test anything I picked. If your racing and wearing pfd's shouldn't every one have their own mounted on the pfd . Having to go get it means time and not everyone may know where it is. In addition the line might be out of reach of everyone except the person tangled. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Here's a U.S. one. At reasonable price. http://www.galls.com/galls-fold-out-seatbelt-cutter?PMWTNO=000000000002140&PMSRCH=#.VZ9Va_nv7f0 I have a Remington that looks much like this but has a second drop point serrated blade. Mine is a little better hook but the big serrations due the heavy work. http://www.galls.com/smith-and-wesson-first-responder-assisted-opening-knife-with-seatbelt-cutter?PMSRCE=92350001&SESSIONID=000000153133979#.VZ9WWvnv7f0 Here's the Benchmade with 0.5" opening. Also #7. http://www.benchmade.com/products/8 I think your better off with the Remington serrations rather than the Gall's hook edge. But that's a feeling not tested. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Actually we used to use wire ties for the break tie on a static line PC assist. Not quite that thick. But you can find small ones thatproper have a strength spec. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

This is the issue. Before AAD's were popular pre Cypres when we left the airplane we were dead unless we took some positive action. A rare position to be in. Widespread AAD's have changed this awareness and mindset. Don't get me wrong I'm glad we have modern AAD's but the mindset still should be your dead until you do something. This isn't skiing or even motorcycle riding. This is a 120mph impact. Maybe we ought to put those photos in the wavier. You don't need your go pro to have fun skydiving. If there isn't an airplane for you to get on with it you can't break the rule. As I type on my Android phone with videos of my children on it watching a live streaming video of a local meeting. I get that it's fun to have video. But 'they' need to learn you can die. I'm done ranting, for today. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I agree. ..... Everyone has a first camera jump eventually. ........ If part of the camera curriculum was a compilation of camera-related incidents I think that could be impactful (pun). No, not everyone has to! That's part of my point. New jumpers need to know that no matter what they are using or how simple it ads risk in terms of entanglement (fixable sometimes) and distraction (only mitigated with time, but never eliminated). Not everyone has to accept that risk. It needs to be an educated decision, not just the kewl thing, and come at a time the jumper knows enough to be nervous about it. Before go pro type camera flyers had to invest money and time for skill and equipment. We accepted the risk because we thought about it for months or years, built our own mounts, learned from each other, and had enough experience to decide if the risk was acceptable. Now TK and I were snot nosed newbies that didn't know better. And we lived. But one experienced camera jumper left the airplane with his chest mount VCR but not his rig. And he wasn't the only one to head to the airplane without a rig. The simpler cameras may not bring that much distraction but they do bring distraction. Even if the camera was built into the helmet, connected by bluetooth to download automatically, activated when the plane took off like an AAD, you still think about aiming it. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Teaching what to do or having a checklist isn't the point. It what NOT to do. Assuming you can get to a no snag mount and manage to turn it on without forgetting anything else you have to think about you asking.people to forget they have it on. Forget you have it on until your good enough that your thinking about it doesn't make any difference to your other skills and reactions. I maintain that you can't do that. Wearing a camera, any camera, will never be as safe as not wearing one. Just like talking on a phone while driving will never be as safe as not talking on a phone. At some point you have enough experience, knowledge and skill to decide to take that risk In my state new drivers are not allowed to talk on a phone. They need to build skills. So do skydivers without that one more distraction of is the camera on. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Snag hazaed is the convient, easily understood reason for newbies that can't be bothered to learn how to pack their main, don't know the difference between an AAD and an RSL and don't know how to read an analog altimeter. The more pressing reason is the same as the reason texting and driving is outlawed many places, hands free is required for phone calls in some and in some places even hands free calling is banned. Distraction. Wondering if the camera is on, is there space on the card, is the housing closed, is it set for HD. All instead of where is the spot, is my PC handle in the right place, do I know which way to land, is the group in front of me pulling at 5000' instead of 4000'? We can't keep AFF instructors from putting their camera based PC catchers in a students way. Why? Because of the attitude toward these camera's. Once you get past some of the distraction there is STILL the real snag hazard. It's not only distraction from that one jump but distraction from learning the basics. You complain about 500 jump wonders who can't fly a parachute. How often have you heard a newbie turn down rw with a veteran because they just want to get some 'film' of a jump with their camera. 'Lets go get some video for facebook', not lets go practice launching a 2 way. And of course they have to look at/upload their video instead of pack their main or figure out what they did wrong on their landing. If that 50 jump wonder is allowed to jump a camera but not video someone else they're not learning. Yes we moved from rounds to ram airs for students. Because we figured out it was SAFER. Find me one way having a camera makes a jump safer. Except they give me lots of video of what not to do for safety day. When a newbie forgets their chest strap but spends the rest of their life (except for an AAD save) trying to fasten it in free fall and is still trying to fasten it on the ground someone has spent time playing with their camera instead of figuring.out how not to die. I sound like my instructor in the early 80's who wouldn't let TO PC's on the DZ until he heard a safety advantage. When I pointed out the PC put more force on the pin than I could he said OK. I not only had that handmade mount for a motor drive 35mm I had a chest mount full size VHS VCR with a separate color camera on a protec. All under 200 jumps. But my mounts all were virtually snag proof. I knew enough to know I could die. Just because we got away with shit doesn't mean we can't try to save others from themselves. And I bitch just as loud about full face helmets. I just finally found one I was willing to jump after looking for 20 years. And I still don't like it. So I'll be a dick and a dinosaur. Guess it's a good thing I'm not a DZO. Guess I'm done with my rant for the week. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Some were also designed to be flat but still provide a grip. Others on time had polypro rope in them. One option for refill. As above they are probably fine for now. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE