councilman24

Fact - PIA has taken no position on imposing or recommending a service life on gear and leave it up to the individual manufacturers to do as they choose. PIA had long discussions on recommending a service life but the majority realized life was based on condition not age. Fact - Some experienced riggers including at least one DPRE and at least one manufacturer believe the fabric tensile test in PIA TS-108 damages the parachute and won't do it (manuf. bans it). Many others don't agree. Fact - The new FAA parachute TSO (NOT the PIA document but the FAA TSO letter that references TS-135) requires some statement concerning service life in the manuals of newly TSO items under TSO C-23f. This is not defined and referencing a rigger's inspection may be enough or may not. Yet to be determined as items are submitted under f. Fact- Manufacturer's can impose a service life at time of sale. Later is still an area debated by some and considered settled by the FAA by others. Fact - Riggers have no way of testing threads and tapes in a parachute. Fact - Most riggers cannot test air permeability in the field. Fact - Many riggers impose their own limits on what they will service. The shortest I know is 15 years. It may have changed. Fact - No rigger is under any obligation to pack any particular equipment. Fact - Each owner is free to seek any rigger they chose. Fact/opinion- No one on here should give an opinion about the airworthiness of your reserve with out seeing it. And even then opinions may vary. Opinion - If a TSO'd component has been in constant use and is near 20 years old I start preparing the owner for the need to replace it. Reserves like yours, if kept in date, are showing wear from packing and are becoming questionable. I have reserves I have retired for piece of mind and 25 year old reserves I happily pack for myself and others. I'm sure you can find a rigger that will pack it. There are riggers that will pack well worn 1950's gear for use. Get used to this. I haven't met another rigger yet that I am in total agreement with. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Someone, maybe me, posted it on here a while ago. It was also added to the Strong website a few years ago. But couldn't find it last time I looked. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Should be label Aerosport. DOM 95 or 96. Only on the market around there. I have two 28' versions. Nopo refers to them being made from 0-3 cfm (f-111) fabric. Manual is available on line. Check Parachutemanuals.com and ukskydiver.co.uk I think this only the 4th I've heard of. My two, one in Australia, and yours. Maybe a couple more. Free sleeve with stowed lines makes packing a Strong seat easy. This may be slightly diff. than mine but same design. Search strong aerosport on here. I serviced my two since the were new until the owner died a few years ago and I got them from the widow. Just saw photo. Think the changed name in 95. For several years in the 2000's nobody at strong new anything about them and I could find another rigger who had ever seen one. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Be aware their exists a Sky High Rye brewed in Michigan. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Which vehicle would you buy? What do you want it to do? Which is your favorite manufacturer? Ford or Chevy or Toyota. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Hey but "four of three judges" said to go ahead. I'll go along with the DP in very limited cases, and that changes depended on how bad the last one was screwed up. And many of the recent ones to make the cut. Some states should be ruled cruel and unusual. And bringing back the firing squad because they can't figure out how to do it right with available drugs is not acceptable.(Utah?) But this guy needs to meet the definition of mentally incompetent. In reality to me the problems with it don't out weigh any benefits most of the time. No deterrent, only revenge. Why the hell am I talking about this? I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

If anyone is interested. I just bought some black ones at 1/4 the price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/J-Dixon-Dozen-Thick-Lead-Color-134-22-Violet-Custom-Color-Pencil-Free-US-Ship-/291019503092?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c21d35f4 I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

The question was added to all sorts of doctors checklists by political groups and for political reasons. I'm sure that now the MD's have to ask it in order to qualify for insurance reimbursement. Just as there is a whole list of questions they ask my 89 year old mother, many inappropriate, not applicable and offensive to an 89 year old woman to prove they are meeting the standard of care. The legislation to ban the question is political too. One political base challenging another. Neither have true gun safety in mind. There are many things just as dangerous in my house that aren't asked about because knives, rat poison, insecticides, commercial sewing machines, skill saws, bleach, etc aren't part of a political agenda. I teach my kids to respect all of them. Political based questions to not belong in a physical exam. And I don't answer them. Is gun safety important? Sure. Especially with idiots having a loaded hand gun in their purse in front of their toddle. But it is not part of a MEDICAL exam. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Well, I wasn't sure of my plans and by the time I made a reservation, before the cutoff day, at the Symposium hotel they were out of rooms for Thursday March 26th, Friday March 27th and Saturday March 28th. Was able to make a reservation Sunday on. Anyone have an extra bed for the 26, 27 and 28? Thought I had it worked out but hasn't come through yet. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Thanks for the information. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

What webbing /layers do you have through these? Have you had issues with slippage? As you probably know the industry has had problems with single layers of Type 7 webbing slipping through.the mil-spec friction adapters. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Where do you get a mil-spec on any of the hardware including tri-glides? They quote specific tests concerning corrosion, dust and dirt for the Cobra buckles but that is not the same as having a 'mil-spec'. The 'military' abandoned all of the specifications for parachute type hardware and materials in 1998. (my be off on the date) The Parachute Industry Association members involved believed that an industry specification document that could be referenced was still needed. All Mil-spec were converted to PIA-specs and are being maintained and sold by the PIA. Lots of folks spend lots of time on maintaining and updating these specifications. I don't see anywhere that this hardware as an individual mil-spec for design and performance. Such mil specs are very detailed in engineering drawings and performance among other things. I've seen this hardware in safety applications (hunter fall protection) and other uses but I don't know of parachute applications. The comparable specs for a friction adapter are below, taken from Bourdon Forge web site. Note PROOF load is 2500lbs Minimum tensile is 4000lbs. AustiaAlpin triglides are similar in strength but compatibility with harness webbing would be concern. I've normally seen these with much thinner webbing than type 7, more like type 8. They might work, maybe they have been used. Most of the applications are not fall protection. Some of the NFPA Cobra buckles might be appropriate. And these triglides if they work with the webbing may be appropriate. But you may be the test dummy. From Bourdon Forge website. 1203 Adapter Parachute Harness, Quick Fit 1203 Adapter Parachute Harness, Quick Fit Military/Parachute 1203-1 PS22040-1 1203-2 PS22040-2 Fall Arrest/Safety 1203-1S/1203-1G Hot Forged Alloy Steel / Cadmium Plate/ Phosphate Coat Thermal Treated 100% Proof Load Tested @ 11.2 KN(2500 lbs.) and 100% Side Load Tested @ 4.5 KN(1000 lbs.) Minimum Tensile Strength 4000 lbs. Approximate weight 3.1 ounces Meets or exceeds PIA-H-7195, ANSI Z-359.2 I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I don't disagree with you. And I never tell a newbie they did the wrong thing in using their reserve. But for more experienced jumpers I might point out alternatives. And it is your last chance to live. In the old days some people thought to was cool to have reserves and mains the same color. In fact just a year or two ago a demo jumper said that he did so.the show would go on. The problem? If you suddenly have a canopy open during freefall and it blows up you would normally cut away and pull your reserve. But if.it was your reserve and you didn't recognize it you just disconnected your last good canopy, the main. I want people to act, I want people.to make all the decisions they can on the ground they can (like whether they are going to cut away from a PC in tow) and then just implement them in the air. But using your reserve because your steering.line broke on a lightly loaded spectre is not a good decision. Yes jumpers shouldn't hesitate to use their reserve, especially students. And fighting with a malfunction too long might be going away because of the violence of some of the malfunctions these days. But as a jumper gains experience they need to recognize their limited resources (two canopies) and the features of each. Perhaps having had a reserve total for 1400' and having found a possible reserve total in a rig design ( search quasar pilot chute on youtube, my basement) has colored my view. The idea of "just pull silver" ( I hate that phrase) and everything will be alright is the wrong attitude. I don't want people to do high speed rigging either. But I do have a strong view that cutting away from a PC in tow is eliminating resources, but mainly wasting time. I've investigated deaths were the only handle that would have saved their life wasn't pulled. I trust my rigger too, sort of. I know him pretty well. The last time someone else packed my reserve was 1983. A friend just told me the other night that if he is going to crash in an airplane he's going to pull all his handles just because he doesn't want to ever die without pulling them all. I've also gotten used to using the last chance to live phrase with my pilot customers to tryto keep them from treating their parachute like a seat cushion. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

And if it's the Spectre 150 in your profile that you jumping for the first time be aware that it is considered a high performance canopy, even though it's a Spectre and not highly loaded. At your level anything 150 is considered high performance. Get lots of advice and concentrate on canopy control for a while. Articles on PD's website will help. Hopefully the jump to the 150 is from a 170. Go find the articles on downsizing on this site and make sure your ready. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Go read the Racer thread at the top of the incident forum. There you'll find someone who cutaway from a PC in tow and ended up in a situation that could/should have been fatal. The rig manufacturer is telling him he didn't follow the manual. Which is true. But it's the only rig I know where if you follow one of USPA's recommended EP's (which the company owner neatly left out of one of his replies) you are not following the owner's manual and you may die. Aside from the Racer thing. Cutting away from every malfunction whether you need to or not leaves you with fewer options and may cause other issues. You should LOOK and see what the issue is. It's a shame to use your LAST CHANCE TO LIVE if you don't have to. Remember reserves malfunction too. I had a PC in tow at low altitude (for various reasons) If I had taken the short time needed to pull the cutaway I would have bounced. I don't know anyone who will tell you not looking to see what's going on is a good thing. Cutting away from a total or PC in tow is a personal choice. I prefer not to waste the time. Others believe it's better. The direction you were quoting is often given to students for a couple of reasons. It makes training simpler, students may not be able to look and recognize PC in tow on early jumps just from sensory overload, if some cases student gear is SOS (single operation system) where cutaway handle and reserve ripcord are one handle. But for jumpers transitioning to there own gear and learning freefall skills looking and reacting should be an issue. There is a dual square report on the PIA website, probably PD's website and if you search here I'm sure you'll find a ling to it. Also read your manual. If you don't have one it's available online, even for older or orphan gear. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Just being my own cynical self. I wish I needed a weight belt. My wife used one routinely to do 4 way with some bigger guys. Just at 20 jumps seems to be a little early. Although after reading the OP's jumpsuit thread it looks like he's getting some good advice. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I've never had your problem and others are more experienced than I to help answer your questions. But it strikes me at 20 jumps you don't know what you can do in fall rate adjustment without a extra weight. Do you have the appropriate jumpsuit or jumpsuits for the range you need? You should have lots of spandex and nylon for belly flying. I'll let the lawn darts offer whats right for freeflying. Have you worked on flexibility and your ability to arch? Do you have a rig that fits well, isn't over sized with wise to create drag and allows you full flexibility. People your size CAN fall fast with practice and skill. In specific situations where the fast fall position doesn't allow you the needed maneuverability and you made need supplemental weight. While never having or needed weights it's allways struck me as those integrated into the rig were the best solution. Now I'll let the light weights weigh in, pun intended. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

BOC refers to a type of throw out PC based on the location. It does not refer to part of the container itself. There was a Rear of Legstrap ROL throw out, a Belly Band throw out, a Front of legstrap FOL throw out, a couple other versions and then the BOC, Bottom of container throwout. You order a BOC type of main deployment meaning a Throw out (versus pullout) pilot chute in a cordura or spandex pocket located on the bottom of the container. Replacing the BOC means replacing a worn out pocket. The BOC became popular because the others required a portion of the bridle to be routed to the leg strap and usually held in place with velcro. This allowed some specific malfunction possibilities and maintenance issues. The BOC also is the only one that works with a wing suit and in general can be considered more secure. This answer ignores throw out PC's whos handles are usually located on the bottom of the container also. In YOUR context they are using BOC to mean literally mean the bottom of container which is NOT the part against you back but the part on the floor when you wearing the rig and sitting on the floor on you butt. What "rotate the D-bag to set lines towards to BOC" is telling you to do is to put the lines in the bottom of the container, not against you back or the closing loop but against the bottom wall of the container and rotating the top of the bag, where the bridle exits into the main container against the wall between the main and reserve. The bottom corners of the container are often sew up into a three sided "box". If you put the lines to the reserve and the bridle to the bottom these corners can hold the corners of the bag as the bridle tries to pull it out. The top of the main container, next to the reserve doesn't have this problem and allows the bag to exit more freely. See page 19 of this manual. http://www.rigginginnovations.com/files/Docuemnts/2/FS%20-%20Section%203%20-%20User%20Information.pdf I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I've got a 1000 rounds of IMI green tip they can have at the prices they paid. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Yeah but my Ruger Mini 14 with a folding stock (not federal pistol or short barreled rifle) is registered as a hand gun in MI and I can carry it if I want. Along with rifle rounds the cops around here baulk at wearing IIA level let alone level III or plates so some of the pistol rounds will go through. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

The City Council I'm on is one of the few that still has an invocation in our region. We have a Muslim and Christians (Catholic and Protestant) on the Council. A Jewish lawyers sits on the dais with us. We often have Protestant ministers give the invocation and invoke the name of Christ. Those who are more sensitive which include a Catholic and a Methodist pray in the name of God known by many names and don't invoke Christ. We routinely have Hindu and Jewish clergy. When the local atheist activist voiced concerns about our invocation we invited him to give it. He gladly accepted and has given a non religious invocation two or three times. We've had Wicca and a sort of Earth worship rain pole thing that I think claimed to be native American but in reality but wasn't by a Native American but the local wasp, hippy kook. Whether these legislators truly believed their version of faith required them to not attend or they were playing to their voter base (and most politicians will do anything for a vote, but not me, ask anyone) I don't know but that sort of intolerance is inexcusable in any public official. But now all to common. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Hey, I live north of some of Canada. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

I had a customer with a Javelin with a coated reserve free bag. He worked construction and then went to the DZ most evenings to throw students so he'd leave his rig in his trunk most of the time. After 5 months of summer he brought it in for repack. It took 35lbs of force to pull the free bag off the canopy stack after the locking stows were out. This was 15 years ago. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

Wasn't sure if you ever made Jim's or not. Couldn't remember. I'm old for my age. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE

No no. It was an American airplane, similar designs and uses copied by the Soviets. And I have to save something for the PIA Symposium. It was enlightening having someone as nuts about a lap rating as me from a Soviet block country come get the rating and share what he found in searches behind the old iron curtain. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE