NovaTTT

It's going to be hard to find a comfortable rig, you being 11 feet two inches tall, but Mirage Systems is interested in how far your junk is from the ground: Mirage Harness Measuring Guide Step 4 "To measure your inseam, stand naturally. Measure from the center of your crotch down to the floor." You will find the complete harness measurment instructions here "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The Mighty Thor! (Rated DV: Dumbass Version) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Andy, you've dug yourself into a hole, here. It's best to put that shovel down. And you're playing both sides of the fence: 1 - You say, "Don't use fisticuffs to settle disagreements!" complete with eye-rolling sanctimony, but you also say, 2 - I'll fuck with your gear if you do something I feel is unsafe, rather than handle it through channels. Going through channels is being a man. Handle-pulling is just childish, there's nothing manly about it. It's a pussy move, a childish act that tends to indicate a feeling of powerlessness to accomplish the correct action. You'll do what you want, which may just turn out being a talk with the DZO or S&TA, but when somebody says they will kick your ass if you pull their handle, well, they may or they may not, but I'm willing to bet they will try. And you'd deserve it - ass-kicking in Georgia is legally defensible in many circumstances, such as "use of fighting words" and always in self-defense against battery. And putting your hands on someone, or their gear if they're wearing it, constitutes battery. I've heard "He just needed it" is a viable defense in Georgia, for crying out loud! Put that shovel down! You have a lot more and better to offer than what this particular issue has become. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Q1: Ramp check? What led to Magnussen (sp?) getting the FAA fine. Q2: How'd he do in the course? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Was that a no-pull or a failure to deploy? ETA: I suppose it's a concern for DZO's that someone with multiple rigs might jump one that is out of date. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

My opinion and experience is that reserve pack jobs are durable. I once had the opportunity to work a Racer that had been poorly stored for nine years. The main was a mess, with melted and decayed stowbands. I expected much the same from the reserve, but in fact, the reserve was in good shape as it was an older freebag (not the newer speedbag) that did not use rubber bands. It might have worked if needed, once those folds worked out, although I wouldn't want to put it to the test. The effects of long-term storaged (not put into live use) packed reserves has been investigated (wish I could remember by whom) and when kept in a good environment those long-term pack jobs performed as they should have. That is theory, however. Practice is that reserve packjobs are used in an active and dynamic sport and with that use comes the potential for change, damage, wear, etc. The reserve "repack" is actually an inspection and repack. The inspection is as important as the repack, if not moreso. With that inspection flaws, errors, damages, problems and/or issues, if present, will be discovered with the gear. The gear isn't just the reserve, it's the everything from the top of the reserve pilot chute to the bottom of the legstraps, usually excluding the main but including the main risers. The maintenance and repair of the gear, which is represented by the 180 day cycle, is important for jumper safety as well as gear longevity and usefulness. How prevalent is pencil-whipping? I don't know, but we've all heard about it, I think most of us riggers have experienced it and most of us know someone who keeps or has kept himself current at the point of a pen. But I personally don't know of an instance where a pencil pack has caused a legal punitive action to be taken against the rigger who was whipped. I do know of punitive actions taken against pencil-whippers by DZOs and the riggers who have been whipped. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Yep. Just noting the risers are lacking in that regard. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

That's the one - only this kit is navy blue and has obviously been rode hard and put up wet. The risers lack a X-connector as well. Say - that's an interesting looking rig in the test-jump photo! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

What I had to go on when identifying this was the double e and the Manchester which are barely discernable on the kit. No other markings or #s survived the years, except for a faint Manchester, CT on the parachute. The kit is pictured and described in PPMI 5.420, listed as a Pioneer. That's as much history as I know about it! As for packing, I found it closed fairly easily with the 23', even with the kicker and PC. But I'll have to show accessible packing instructions. Like to hear more about that last Super-Pro cutaway. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I'd just like to point out that pulling someone else's reserve handle *is* resorting to fisticuffs physical confrontation to settle an interpersonal conflict. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Thanks for the tip, Tim. But this won't be jumped, given the age and condition of the container and the parachute. Frankly, it took a fair amount of detective work and page-poring just to identify the kit. On the container, one could just make out a double "e" (of what turned out to be "Pioneer") and the faint remains of the word "Manchester". First thought it might be British gear. Anyway, I'll be using it to work on another rating. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Thanks for looking, Sparky. But it looks like you'll be missing out on the Coke and burgers!! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

@ Jerry: First coke and a burger and fries to go with. There's more than this old Pioneer! @ Dave: It's a 23' steerable conical, no reefing, no diaper. This sucker is flaked, folded and stuffed into the chest pack. On the plus side it has adjustable risers!! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Hi, Jerry. I looked for a copy of the original PM online but can't find it. My copy of PPM goes omits 5.9 and 5.10. Wonder why that change was made? Please don't make a special effort, but if you're able to copy those pages sometime I'd be grateful. Thanks! Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

In addition to perhaps promoting general discussion, this post is mostly directed to Sparky and SlotPerfect. I have a Pioneer Super-Pro chest-mounted reserve with a 23' steerable reserve. (ref PPMI 5.420) Did you guys ever find the manual or packing instructions for this old-time gear? Thanks and cheers. Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Then he didn't clear his airspace and is a danger to himself and others. Prior results, military ratings or "He's a helluva guy!" notwithstanding, this guy screwed up. He got lucky - and luck isn't very good or reliable plan. There are two kinds of luck. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

"(Green), I do believe you're talking out of your ass" "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Is the drogue release handle attached with a bungee? If so, a snag on the plane or the pax flailing could have pulled the handle enough to clear the dogbone and the bungee would keep the handle in place. Just a thought. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

On the bright side, this is probably a one-off sticker and next year they will go back to the regular sticker. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I have a passel of kids - I know it can be hard. I would recommend taking him for the tires. Give him a good Life Lesson Lecture and then work out a payback; perhaps $10/week. You get to help him without doing it for him and he gets a dose of Man Up. Win-Win? Perhaps. Good luck. ETA: You have his . . . well, see attached! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Step One: Purchase or borrow sewing machine. Step Two: Purchase fabrics of choice. Step Three: Buy or borrow suitable pattern. Adapt as necessary. Step Four: Get to sewing. Step Five: Skydive, Biotch!! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Making no claims, no associations and saying nothing about this report. Just posting this for the sake of completeness. Kirk Smith San Marcos Report "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I think they should have done. Of course that doesn't help pay off rental gear. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Exactly. I sign under the stamp. As far as I know there is no concensus on the use of stamps. I've heard 'yes' and 'no' from reliable sources. Best I can figure, it's a case-by-case situtation and I'm prepared to show that my PDCs are legal. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

When this came up, I considered a "Colour of the Month" pen as a possible solution. Who wants to keep track of that, though? That's not where I want to spend my time and thoughts, and it's not a big concern of mine in the first place. So I chose a stamper and put the info in the most common (as seen on PDCs) layout and I just stamp 'em all that way. Works for me - fits neatly into my sealing/logging ritual. Not that I'm OCD about that or anything. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73