NovaTTT

I was working with a pilot and his PC303 tonight when his friend popped in with a PEP he acquired with a recent glider purchase. He couldn't identify it but wanted me to rig it; the rig has no TSO label, no mfgr markings. He dragged out this rig which I recognized as a GQSSC. Despite its age it's in pretty good external condition. It appears to have come from Canada (Niagara Parachutes - anyone know if they still sell gear?) I declined to work on the rig and informed him that to the best of my knowlege it's not airworthy but I did offer him a good deal on a new system. Have to wait and see how that works out. He took the bad news about the system well, but that's not what surprises me. I'm surprised that up to October 2010 this rig has been actively rigged (since at least 1992!) "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I care about whiskey. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The hollow pin has a pointy end! Use the pullup cord, remove the closing pin and insert the temp pin. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Got that from an old timey rigger. I thought they were a commonly known tool. In a PM discussion I conceded a hollow temp pin would work just as well (but used differently), but it's not the same as using a tool that's designed for this purpose! For a tight loop (20+ lbs, say) I would use the hollow pin as the follower would catch the loop. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

In response to questions PMed about the pin follower, images attached. 01: The tool 02: The tool with pin inserted to show hollow end. Cheers. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Suggestion: Take the rig the rigger who last repacked it and ask him* to use his Pin Follower, a nifty gadget that allows the reserve pin to be removed and re-inserted w/o opening the packjob. He will swap ripcords and reseal. Give him a little $$ and you're ready to go. Remember - the rigger who last worked on it! Cheers * Or Her "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

You're right that Argus is not the only AAD that has had problems but I think the concensus is that they are the only AAD mfgr that hasn't come right out (let's use that term loosely for the sake of . . .) and addressed the issue. "Don't rely on your AAD!" is something I've heard from my FJC back in 1985 right through to today. That's pretty straight forward and easily understood. But it's bad marketing! Cheers! Nova PS I hope you're right, that answers to recent AAD incidents will soon be flowing. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

That's true, MEL - in black and white. I believe Aviacom (Karel Goorts) is doing a disservice to his customers and giving his company a black eye by ignoring the Argus' problem (cutter design, IMO) and re-directing criticisms against his product by criticising his competitors. That's all very childlike and obstructive. I don't have a personal interest or stake in the AAD Saga but I do have an opinion on how Aviacom is handling their situation (shitty!). In the CK fatality the CYPRES fired. RPC hesitation or perhaps a tight reserve container prevented the reserve from fully deploying. The AAD worked as intended. I don't think that's a CYPRES problem, but Karel G. wants us to think it is. That's an erroneous point and a diversion which IMO is an Aviacom FAIL. In the LP fatality the AAD was not turned on and the jumper needed it. That's Black Death but Karel G. wants us to think it is an AAD issue and malfunction. That's an erroneous point and a diversion which IMO is an Aviacom FAIL. So while thinly predicated in fact, Aviacom's (KG's) position ignores the totality of facts and in so doing indicates he thinks skydivers are a lot of ignorant morons who will eat whatever swill is put before us as long as it comes in a pretty bowl. I think otherwise and if the Argus market dries up and Aviacom loses the sport skydiving market I sure won't miss them. .02 "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Short and Sweet: Exceedingly unlikely. The sport reserve deployment bag, called the freebag (because it is not attached to the parachute) typically has the lines stowed in two locking bights and the remainder of the line stowed within a pouch on the freebag. The locking bights are typically made using a single large loop of bungee-type elastic that is routed through a channel and each end sticks out through a grommet making a small loop. The dynamic forces of even a low-speed deployment (ie, cutaway to reserve deployment) will be enough to extract the lines and strip the bag from the parachute. You can read about it here "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

This Message Brought To You By The Timothy Leary High Class of 1984. Reunion Was Out Of This World, Man! ETA: On the serious side - pretty cool idea and imagery, Rob. Mock-up? "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I've never had to use it, or even consider using it, but I put it there at the bottom of the drop-off receipt: Prices subject to change. Equipment left with the Rigger for inspection, repack, repair, maintenance, cleaning or any other rigging work, may be stored up to 45 days after the date of completion of work (Grace Period). If the equipment is not claimed within the Grace Period, a storage fee of $15 per month will be added to the invoice total on the first day following the Grace Period and on the first day of every calendar month following the Grace Period. If the equipment is not claimed within 24 months following the Grace Period, the equipment shall and will be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Rigger. Equipment stored or left unclaimed with the Rigger is done so with the understanding that the Rigger makes reasonable efforts and takes reasonable precautions to ensure the safekeeping, cleanliness and integrity of the equipment, but makes no guarantee of the safekeeping of said equipment. FWIW "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

All you have to do is listen to her records. There are only two. You'll find there AW was gifted and why she was so admired. The tabloid-chronicled decline is what happened to her, not who she was. And her descent and demise was not entirely of her own doing, IMO. Enablers, leeches and ghouls dragged her down. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

If you're not using a laptop or wide-screen monitor look for a scroll bar on the bottom of the page. Move it to the right. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Well, I already purchased the book but I'm not going to complain . . . it's priced under $10 and that's pretty good! I'll certainly "friend" you and hopefully stir up some further interest. Good luck! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Looking forward to reading it. Good luck with sales! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Congrats! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

And those are just the TIs! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I don't recall seeing this before, so I'll mention it here. It seems the solution to the AAD cutter problem is to ban cylindrical cutters. Presumably this directive would come from H/C mfgrs who would (and could) allow only guillotine-style cutters to be installed in their rigs. I'd write further but I spilled coffee on my keyboard and I have to use ALT characters to type - too damned difficult to go on for now. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Just throwing some quick thoughts out here, Paul. These relate only to I&Rs, not needlework, etc. I think a minor mistake is some oversight that doesn't have dire or even perilous consequences. Example: Rigger loses/leaves a piece of paper, a pen or a loose pull-up cord in the packjob or pack tray. A major mistake is some oversight that might or could have serious consequences. Example: Rigger leaves small shot bag or short bar in the packjob. A critical or potentially fatal error is a major mistake that would result in the failure of the system to function properly. Example: A molar strap left in place, or a closing loop not routed through the AAD cutter. As you well know, I know, it is our responsibility as riggers to make damn sure we use care and practices that minimize the possibility of making even a minor mistake. Mistakes happen to better and more highly trained people than riggers, but that's just all the more reason to be extra careful and vigilant about counting tools, adhering to procedures and avoiding distractions while rigging. I'm reminded of a current pop culture saying: Don't Be That Guy! .02 Nova "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Wow! Skyflower Bloom and "concisely" being put together in one thought!!??? Carry your biggest umbrella, folks, 'cause it's gonna be raining pig shit!! "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Malfunction and nonfuntion are as different as night and day. Nonfunctional: Not able to perform its regular function Malfunction: Faulty or abnormal functioning "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

I guess we'll have to disagree, Jim. But I don't use an AAD either - never have except for those 15 or so student jumps with an FXC12000. But that's the balance point: students should be equipped with fully-functioning AADs. If the JM fails to arm it and the student goes in the JM should answer for the screw up. Same thing for the mis-rig. IMO that rigger should hang his head in shame as he surrenders his tick to the FAA. He screwed up and somebody died. It just doesn't get any worse than that. Students are under another's care and whether or not they pass the program, they get the added benefit of BSRs that specifically protect them. Doesn't mean they won't bounce, but it means they have another weight on their side. Had the closing loop been properly routed and the reserve simply didn't inflate in time to save this guys life, well that's BSBD. The rigging error puts the rigger right in the bullseye of the shitstorm that follows a fatality. Right where he ought to be. As a rigger I know I'm not infallable so I take as much care as the next rigger to make sure my shit is straight, my work is good, tools counted, etc. Like 99% of the riggers I know I follow the rules and regs and don't expose myself by rigging on the wild side. God forbid I am ever connected to a fatality so I rig with the thought in mind that another's life is dependent on my work. If it happens and I'm in the causative chain, that'll be the day I surrender my ticket. That's where the personal responsibility rests, IMO. Just my thoughts on the matter. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

The AAD didn't cause the fatality and neither did the rigger, but the rigger prevented the possibility the AAD could have saved the jumper. I think the student, had the closing loop been correctly installed and the AAD scored a save, would have had to decide if skydiving is right for him. But students are required to be outfitted with AADs because students can screw up spectacularly and current student fatality rates uphold this as a good policy. Bottom line for me is the student screwed up but the rigger screwed up much, much more and prevented the AAD from probably saving the student's life. He mis-rigged the system and somebody died. It really is that simple. If he hasn't already surrendered his ticket to the FAA then he is a chump IMO. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Your Post #130: +1 Just what I was thinking. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

That's pretty cool - but the SUBJECT of your post is misleading. I thought you must have finally busted a nut with a real girl "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73