Hooknswoop

I'm going to go ahead and lock this for now. Derek

Your experiment backs up the concept that there isn't that much difference in airspeed between canopies in steady state flight. The real difference is in maximum speed and rate of descent in a dive. Even my VX-60 isn't much faster than other canopies. I have to be way above them and dive to gain speed to catch them quickly, otherwise it is a slow catch-up game. Derek

What part of: Did you not understand? Derek

No, I meant airspeed. You can determine the airspeed of a canopy using the method I described, comparing ground speeds into the wind and downwind. Derek

What about putting them farther apart with blades the standard distance apart, a little shorter than the beam for the gate? Derek

Correct. Let's say that the canopy has an airspeed of 35 mph, but we don't know this, yet. We take up a GPS and fly into the wind with the canopy stabilized (it has recovered from any inputs and is flying straight, etc). The GPS says our speed (ground speed) is 30 mph. We turn 180-degress, so that we are flying downwind, allow the canopy to stabilize, and the GPS says our speed is 40 mph. 40 mph - 30 mph = 10 mph. 10 mph/2=5 mph. The wind speed is 5 mph and the canopy's airspeed is 35 mph. Derek

GPS will give you ground speed. If you fly into the wind, then downwind and average the two, you'll get your airspeed. I'm not surprised the brakes released, not turns speed isn't all that different. The real difference is top speed. Derek

OK guys, knock it off. Derek

True, but I have seen cases where the person was qualified, and the group knew they were qualified, but they still wouldn't let that person on the load because they weren't part of the "in-crowd". It happens, a lot. Derek

I'm not burned out, I still love jumping, but I'm not willing to wade through all the crap to do it. The second to last time I went to a DZ, the sun had gone down behind the mountains and there was AFF on the load. I had to fly around the student to land. I even had manifest ask me if I was OK making the jump after dark. I am not willing to 'look the other way' and speaking up and saying "thius isn't right" simply gets me alienaited from the DZ. Look what happened to packing Cathy.... Derek Derek

Why didn't the pin get pulled? Be very careful, this could have turned out much worse. Derek

I got the block from Capewell today. They Fed-ex'd it, overnight! I has multiple holes for different length pins and is manufactured and labeled very nicely. They will ship any rigger one of these blocks for free. A quick e-mail w/ some basic info and it showed up. There is a "Supplemental Instructions for Test #2" included witht the block. It simply says that the holes in the aluminum block need to be cleaned out with a #32 'jobber drill', by hand. Para Flite has a note on their web page recommending against the use of test #1 and some cautions for test #2. In reply to TomBuch- I have to agreee with TomBuch; But I hold in reserve my right no not re-pack a reserve unless I've tested the pin. Derek

No, I think it is very unclear. The manufacturer will have to clarify their statement: "Is annual rigger check necessary? I thought the functionality do not have to be checked by riggers? So why should the riggers buy this module and software? The rigger can buy an IR bi-directional communications module and associated software. This costs 521 EUR. It is made for riggers to check the functionalities. This depends local legislation if it is necessary. We advise to do an annual check I read that a rigger should check the Vigil yearly. Is this mandatory or is it OK to continue to jump when the unit shows no signs of problems? Riggers can do an annual check in a pressure chamber and results can be downloaded through the IR port and a report can be printed. No need to return the unit to a factory. Most countries have an annual inspection program for parachutes. It can be done together with these tests." I wouldn't want to risk the jumper's life or my ticket. In rigging, always err on the side of safety. Very possible that rigger will require that it be sent back the manufacturer to be tested/inspected, similar to the Cypres, before they will pack a rig with it installed. I think the manufacturer will find it easier to sell their ADD if it is spelled out clearly exactly what the 'requirements' vs. 'recommended' inspections/maintenance is. Require the inspection/maintenance unless it is not required and maybe even then. Derek

FAR Part 105: (c) If installed, the automatic activation device must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions for that automatic activation device. If riggers fell like it can be interpreted by the FAA as "manufacturer instructions", then they will require the inspection/maintenance. If not, then it probably won't get done unless the owner wants it. Derek

Loudiamond may know the exact details of when military freefall gear is retired, he ia MFF JM. Derek

Nope. If Skycat wants to go to a boogie or just go make a couple of jumps or something, I'll go, but otherwise, nope. The actual jumping out of airplanes is still fun, it's the wading through all the other crap that finally outweighed the jumping. Derek

If the lines have been cut off the canopy, it may not be worth a re-line. It was retired for a reason. Have a rigger look it over before buying. Derek

No, no and no. For me it was; politics, attitudes, egos, lack of aircraft maintenance, and a generally poor safety attitude. I looked at the effort I was putting into it and the return I was getting out of it and all the hassels and decided to hang it up. So far no regrets. Derek

To clarify ( I edited "So, you want to be a rigger" already), a military rigger (that meets the requirements) only has to pass a written test on the FAR's, not the entire Senior Parachute Rigger written test. Derek

Here is the complete FAR pertaining to military riggers. As long as you meet the requiremnts, only the written test is required. "14 CFR - CHAPTER I - PART 65 § 65.117 Military riggers or former military riggers: Special certification rule. In place of the procedure in § 65.115, an applicant for a senior parachute rigger certificate is entitled to it if he passes a written test on the regulations of this subpart and presents satisfactory documentary evidence that he -- (a) Is a member or civilian employee of an Armed Force of the United States, is a civilian employee of a regular armed force of a foreign country, or has, within the 12 months before he applies, been honorably discharged or released from any status covered by this paragraph; (b) Is serving, or has served within the 12 months before he applies, as a parachute rigger for such an Armed Force; and (c) Has the experience required by § 65.115(a)." Hope this helps, Derek

Back lay-out. I never had a problem and as you rotate belly to the relative wind, you are facing the camera-man and can pitch the drogue. Derek

I was about to ask the same question Derek

If the chest strap loosens, then the turn-back will take the load. Javelins with the mini-chest strap are not sewn back and should be put back through the buckle to prevent it from accidently loosening. Taping webbing is a bad idea, the gum attracts dirt, etc. The end of a chest strap can be sewn to stiffen it with a 4 pt. 'W' surrounded by a box or a confluence wrap of type IV. Derek

The open door is the cargo door. It is usually bolted shut on juDefinitely an Otter, definitely Metro, but I can't tell about the door, if it could come off as a double cargo door or not. I don't remember ever jumping one with a skinny door. ships. The double door just forward of the open cargo door are removed for skydiving operations. Derek

Why do you want to downsize? Derek