Hooknswoop

Using thise numbers and $20 from Mirage to the rigger to do the SB, It would cost Mirage $20 and the owner a normal $40 (nothing extra) to have the SB done. If the owner sends it in and has Mirage do the AB and re-pack, it costs the owner $85 and Mirage $25 + re-pack and SB costs. If they send it in and it costs $15 just for the container shipping, Mirage is out whatever it costs them to do the SB and $15 in return shipping. The owner is out the $15 + a re-pack + the downtime. Derek

Yes. I agree. I agree. But I don't think I should have to pay to get the rig fixed. They are willing to do it for free and pay return shipping. Why not; 1) Pay the riggers in the field to do the SB, so that everyone saves money and downtime? 2) Make the SB optional? 3) Make the 'qualified personnel" Senior or Master Riggers, further saving money and down time? Shipping and down time. How much money would a DZ that uses Mirage student rigs or a full time instructor lose because of the SB? I said it before and I'll say it again, I don't think Mirage should have issued a mandatory SB. 1) It really isn't mandatory unless it is an AD issued by the FAA 2) It is only necessary if the rigger is sloppy. 3) It negatively affects the cosmetics of the rig. I'm not paying to ship a Mirage back. In fact, I am not modding Kelli's rig unless she wants me to (under the supervision of a Master Rigger) I like Mirages. I think they are the best rig on the market, maybe tied w/ the Micron w/ a Skyhook. But I don't like having to pay for a SB/Recall/AD, whatever. Again, why wouldn't Mirage just pay rigger to do the SB? It saves everyone down time and money. Derek

Isn't that a defect? Isn't the PC failing to launch a defect? Isn't realizing that you used the wrong bolts and replacing them with the right bolts a way to address a previously unknown potential problem? If it works, as is, then why is the SB mandatory? If it was just an optional improvement to something that already works, then it should be optional. Derek

So if you had just bought a brand new car and the transmission fell out because they used the wrong bolts on those models cars, would you expect the manufacturer to fix it for free or would you have your brand new car towed back to the dealership and pay for them to fix it? This isn't like RWS releasing the Vstor II and all the Vector II owners standing in line to get their II's upgraded to III's. new model, new features, you want it, buy it. That is comletely different. I don't think Mirage is profiting at all from the SB. Derek

Not if Mirage paid the Master Rigger for the SB. If you send it to Mirage, you either pay the extra shipping for sending your reserve also and pay to have Mirage re-pack it, or have to pay your rigger to re-pack it after paying to ship it to Mirage and waiting for it to get shipped back. If Mirage paid the rigger for the SB, then the owner's rig is down for a normal re-pack, doesn't have to pay shipping or extra for the SB. Mirage wouldn't have to pay return shipping, or pay their rigger to do the SB. Lets take 4 Mirages. The first is sent back to Mirage with the reserve and get s the SB and a re-pack done and is shipped back. That costs the owner $60 for the re-pack, the SB is free, and shipping the container and reserve to Mirage. Plus the added down time for shipping there and back. Mirage has to pay their rigger to do the SB and re-pack the reserve, plus return shipping. Costs: down time, Mirage pays for the SB, shipping both ways, re-pack which the owner may be able to get cheaper. Savings: Owner doesn’t pay for SB The second is shipped to Mirage without the reserve. The SB is down and Mirage ships it back. It costs the owner shipping out, which is less than shipping with the reserve, and a normal re-pack fee with their rigger. Plus the down time for shipping there and back. It costs Mirage whatever they have to pay their rigger to do the SB and return shipping. Costs: down time, Mirage pays for the SB, rigger has to re-assemble and re-pack reserve, might end up costing more than a normal re-pack because of the assembly. Savings: probably none if the rigger charges $60 for the re-assembly and re-pack, Mirage pays for the SB. For the 3rd, the owner takes it to a Master Rigger, who does the SB and re-pack and charges the owner for both. Costs: Owner pays for a normal re-pack and the SB. Savings: Shipping For the 4rd Mirage, let's say Mirage will pay for the owner's local Master Rigger to do the SB. The owner pays for a normal re-pack. The Rigger does the SB and bills Mirage. The rig is down for a normal re-pack and the owner pays for a normal re-pack. Mirage pays the Rigger to do the SB, which may cost them a bit more than paying their own rigger, but still less than paying their rigger plus shipping. The rig is only down for a normal re-pack length of time. Costs: Mirage pays for the SB which may be $5-$15 more than they could do it for, normal re-pack cost. Savings: no shipping, owner doesn’t pay for the SB. Costs the owner $0 over a normal re-pack. With the third and 4th rig, it doesn't cost the owner any extra down time and Mirage saves money because they don't have to ship it back. Both sides save money and down time. Since Mirage is willing to do the SB for free and pay return shipping, they save money by just paying the local rigger to do it. This is how car manufacturers do it. The dealer doesn't take care of recalls for free, they bill the manufacturer. Derek

Same thing applys to signing off an "A" license or PRO rating. What if on their first demo after you signed them off they hit a spectator? Are you liable? No, all you did was sign off that they met the requirements. They can still sue though. Derek

And if canopies/containers, etc don't, thent hey should. As has been pointed out the Cypres costs refects this benifit. I really think everyone would win if they would pay Master Rigger to do the Mod. Probably cheaper than Mirage doing and paying return shipping and free to the customer, and very little down time compared to shipping to Mirage and back. By "they", I mean Mirage Sys. Derek

Maybe, IIRC they were at least as stiff as a Javelin reserve spring though. Kind of like the throw out PC's that could barely get the D-bag out of the container after a little help. When I told the DZO about he said, "Sounds like I need to scotch guard the PC's again." Probably the longest PC in the burble I've seen (and I have it on video) was a student with a throw out placed the PC in their burble and it seemed like it took forever to clear. Hit the student in the back of the head twice before leaving. Derek

Um, no, the exact opposite in fact. I said: "RI has Product Modification Procedures (PMP's) for some of their rigs. They'll authorize Senior Riggers to do most, if not all, of them. From looking at the SB, I could do it easily. They should classify it as a minor repair and let Senior Riggers that have the equipment and feel they can do it handle it. Mirage should authorize $X.XX for riggers that turn in S/N's (or pics, or other proof) of containers they have applied the SB to to get paid. This does motivate me to hurry up and finish my Master ticket though." I never said Senior Riggers could do this Mirage SB. I said they should authorize Senior Riggers to do the SB. Black and white........ Derek

I've seen the PC dance in the student's burble on 1 and 2 JM AFF jumps and even when no one was docked on the student. 8' bridles too. Derek

Seen that happen several times. Each time the jumper landed it OK except for the guy that ended up with a broken back. Derek

Until someone makes ine, you can;t have one. I had that exact problem on my last tandem cutaway. Yes, but if it is mounted on the front, it is easier for another jumper to accidently grab and deploy your maun while free flying. I've heard of jumpers accidentally pulling someone's cutaway or reserve handle like that. Oops, ya, meant 'isn't'. Ripcords have some advantages, but for the avarage jumper, throw out is the way to go. Derek

Cover most or all for each license and cover them more in depth as the jumper progresses. USPA put a small, new section in the SIM's, beyond that I have no idea if they are doing anything or not. I don't think everyone should learn HP landings. I do think that those who do should recieve formal training before doing so. For testing out, I don't think anyone that is excelling should be held back at all. I think people should be allowed to progress as fast as their abilities allow. Derek

Disadvantages: 1) Can’t have a kill line PC, which can be bad for several reasons (small canopy a non kill line PC will distort the canopy, added drag, if the PC entangles in the lines it can cause a mal if it isn’t a kill line) 2) Can lose the rip cord 3) It can get in the way if you have to cutaway (might have to toss it) 4) If the coating on the cable some off (if it is a coated cable rip cord, it will create a main total mal. 5) Depending on the location, it may or may not be reachable with either hand. 6) The rip cord handle can present a snag hazard. 7) Because it is launched into the jumper’s burble, it can hesitate unless the burble is cleared by dropping a shoulder, which can cause line twists. 8) Spring loaded PC’s are heavier than throw out PC’s. 9) Spring loaded PC’s aren’t good for CReW. 10) If the end of the cable is very smooth, it can damage the closing loop or hang up. For some applications, rip cords on mains are the way to go, but for the vast majority of rigs in use today, throw-out, kill lines PC’s are better. In the pic, it looks your excess reserve ripcord cable is tucked into the velcro sandwhich with the reserve handle. I have seen this cause a premature reserve deployment because when the jumper did a front loop and flexed the harness, there wasn't any excess cable, so the pin was pulled. Derek

Since your legal interpretation didn’t come through like you said it would about a year ago, I sent a letter to the local FSDO, which was supposed to forward it to Washington (or wherever the FAA's lawyers are) and get a legal interpretation about a month and a half ago. I recently sent an e-mail to the FSDO asking for the status of that inquiry, but haven’t received a reply. As for the other stuff, I disagree. I didn't alter it, I repaired it. Derek

I have been wondering if that thing really works. I just didn't want to spend the $ if it didn't. How does it work? Batteries 9what type/how many?) or plug-in? Keep us posted on how it holds up and how well it works. Derek

Sometimes, being a TI doesn't mean much. Yo have the jumps and the $, presto, you are a TI. I would turn around, flip off whoever was screaming "GO!", then hose them on the spot. On the flip side of the coin, when people did take too long in the door and I had an AFF or tandem student, I would tell them to either exit or get out of the way. Don't compromise your safety because the TI's are getting impatient. They don't care about your safety, they just don't want to take a go-around. Things have hanged a lot on 23 years and not just the gear. Derek

It's already built in. Since the jumper would then exceed the maximum WL for their jump#'s, they would be required to demonstrate their ability to fly at that WL. If they couldn't do it, and therefore shouldn't be flying that canopy, yes, they wouln't be allowed to fly that canopy. If they could demonstrate their ability, then they are allowed to exceed the WL limit for their jump #'s. Derek

That is odd since in the U.S. manufacturers recommend 18 inches +/- or lines in order to prevent them from hangin up on the reserve container and causing line twists. That hasn't happend, AFAIK, inn the U.S. ina long time and people here have some 'interesting' methods of packing. Very odd that it has happened 3 times with that container. i would like to get my hands on an Omega and do some head scratching of my own...... Derek

The container manufacturer. They install the components to make the container 'Cypres Ready'. I think when the Cypres first came out Airtec did a lot of testing in order to get container manufacturers to make their containers 'Cypres Ready'. The manual comes with instructions from the container manufacturer on how the AAD is to be installed. Derek

The closing loop has to be longer, the cutter can't 'burrow' into the frebag, and the reserve container can wrinkle because of the SB. Derek

I'm not that bad, really Derek

OK, who voted riggers should do it for free!!!?!?!?!?! Derek

I thought about that. I don't know if they would or not. Of course DZO's can make ant rules they wish, but turning someone away with a legal and safe rig would cost them $ and most DZO's wouldn't cost themselves money. Derek

No, wait, maybe you are onto something here....... Doesn't take much, hell I have the equipment and materials (very little material is needed). Right, but what is the difference? How does that compare when no shipping and a lot less down time is factored in? Probably. Maybe different number, those I just pulled out of the air. Even $30 would be cheaper than shipping both ways. Even if a rigger charged a little more than the voucher Mirage was willing to reimburse them, the owner would still save money and down time. Say a rigger charged $10 more than what the voucher was worth. That is a big difference from shipping in your rig and sucking up the down time. I don’t think too many people would complain too loudly about $10. Also, if Mirage says it should take 25 minutes (or whatever) for the average rigger to apply the SB, and a few Master Rigger post and confirm that number and a Master Rigger tries to say it will take him 1.5 hours, he looks like he doesn’t know what he is doing. Riggers would be motivated to charge same as the voucher for appearance sake. I know I wouldn’t charge more than the voucher, unless the voucher was ridicules, like $.50 or something. If it was reasonable, I’d run with it even if it took me a little longer than what Mirage says it should. I really think a voucher is a much better solution than either paying out of pocket for the SB to be done or dealing with the down time and shipping. Everyone wins. Derek