Hooknswoop

Go here: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp And type in "Parachute" for the keyword and hit Search. Here is a link to some Testimonials: http://www.softieparachutes.com/html_files/testimonials.html Derek

No, before I bought a used one, I don't think I have ever even seen one before. Derek

As soon as I get a new altitmeter for it (checked on that today), I'll have a test chamber that I can test altitmeters and FXC's with. I'll keep you posted when it is operational. Derek

Tested 10 pins so far. Two failed because they bent. Derek Edit: updated the numbers

Are Capewell P/N's. Is Mirage System's P/N and S/N. Mirages use an angled ripcord pin. Your ripcord is affectd by the SB. Hope this helps. Derek

From Poynter's, Vol 1, page 341: PC Canopy Dia Drag in pounds @ 120 mph A-3 36" 106.5 NB-6 36" 127 PC 40" 131 PC 36" 134.5 MA-1 36" 139 Grabber 30" 121.5 Grabber 42" 274.5 Twin PC-40 one bridle 297.5 Tandem PC-40's 150 Butler Skyhook 102 P-3 122 Not exactly modern PC's, but gives you an idea. Derek

The Voodoo packs the same as the Talon, except:(from the Voodoo packing supplement) Step 28. Thread the pull-up cord through the closing loop and pass both ends through the grommet in the center of the deployment bag. Step 29. Pivot the deployment bag on its closing flap to lay right side up on the reserve container, centered on the grommet. The reserve d-bag opening is towards the main container with the line stow pocket on the reserve pack tray. Step 30. "S" fold the bridle in a stack the length of the distance from the grommet to the top of the bag. Fold the triangular section of the bag on top of the channel and place the bridle stack vertically in between the molars of the bag. Fig 64. Clamp the bridle in place. Step 31. Omit Step 32 thru 37 is the same Step 38. Route the #4 inner top flap under the ty-3 tape on the inside of the outer top flap. Close the inner #4 flap and secure with the ripcord. RI will fax the Voodoo supplement (1-12-01) to you. Hope this helps. Derek

I honestly don't know. I tested a ripcord for a customer recently and it failed. He contacted the container manufacturer, Sun Path, and they are sending him a new handle free of charge. They told him that they are having to eat the cost of the new handles. I would think that the liability risk if someone went in due to a failed ripcord pin would be a greater financial risk for CW than a recall. CW should release more information about the pins, the tests, and clean up the SB. Any MFF people out there know what is happening to military rigs w/ affected ripcords? Replacement, tests, nothing? I'm sure CW doesn't want to lose the U.S military as a customer. I'm trying to give them the benifit of the doubt, but it isn't easy. Derek

You want to downsize for more performance? I ask because the reason for downsizing is important. Your wing loading would go from 0.95:1 to 1.05:1, a 0.1 increase. Do a search and find Bill Von's list of skills you should posses on your current canopy before contemplating downsizing. If you can do everything on the list, and by "do", I mean, "have done", and have the approval of the S & TA, then go for it. Remember, you can't downsize too slow, but you can downsize too fast. Hook

You want to downsize so that packing will be easier? Is that really the reason you want to downsize? Hook

Sorry for the rant, but here we go: The recent landing incident, 1.4: with 100 jumps, prompted me to bump this back up. A proposal is being put together, but more ideas would still be helpful. What does bother me is, would this canopy training and education based on licenses had made a difference in this latest, almost classic incident? The jumper in question could have very easily only had an "A" license still and not had the canopy training/education that would be required for the "B" license. They definitely wouldn't have had the "C" or "D" license training/education. Getting the "B", "C", and "D" licenses isn't mandatory and a lot of jumpers don't bother. Therefore the proposed canopy training/education wouldn't be mandatory. I don't think increased canopy training/education for each license will make much of an impact if jumpers are flying canopies at such high wing loadings before they even have the enough jumps to qualify for the next license. What good is a canopy control class required for the "B" license when the jumper doesn't have enough jumps for the "B" and isn't going to get it when they do? The canopy wing loading and increased canopy training/education BSR proposal kept getting watered down at each objection until we have what we have left, which seems like it will do very little. How many preventable incidents, how many DZ's making their own, inflexible and very restrictive wing loading limit policies, how many 911 calls, how many life flights is it going to take? How much preventable carnage are willing to accept? I am all about pushing limits. I like high wing loading, small canopies, intentional cutaways, hook turns, etc. I am not an old, has-been spouting "You young wipper-snappers are gonna shoot your eye out!" But jumpers can't come out the gate going Mach 3 with their hair on fire. I like to see people progress. I have always said the best an Instructor can hope for is when one of their students becomes better surpass the instructor's abilities. I am not trying to hold anyone down. I am trying to help them survive to live long enough to be better than me. In all things moderation, including excess. Hook

I could only guess. Maybe they went back and tested the other batches, prior to the SB dates and they passed, and the only pins that have failed have been from the affected batch. I really don't know I am hoping that the incompleteness of the SB is because they were in a rush to get it out and get the problem addressed before there was an incident. Hopefully, more information will be forthcoming soon. Hook

I'm guessing that it is a lot that is affected and the lot was sold during those dates. Hook

How's this?: http://juliabell.home.att.net/ Hook

Reinforced risers refer to the extra tape sandwiched between the webbing on mini-risers. Standard, 1 23/32" risers do not need the extra tape to reinforce the risers. Hook

I have seen Safire1's with a new line set with upper control lines of different lengths, similar to my mod. I know of at least 2 lofts that have or do use my mod, without asking me. Hook

Definately land it. It would be different, but no big deal. Hook

Sun Path has a statement on their web page indicating that their pins need to be tested. I tested a few Sun Path ripcord pins last night and one failed Test 1, it bent. Hook

The SB is very incomplete. It should describe exactly how to mark the handle, metal or soft. It should indicate how to measure the .005 bend. It should address rigs like the Racer. It should explain how to determine the Date of Manufacture of the ripcord. It shoud explain who pays for a new ripcord if it bends or breaks. Hook

§105.3 Definitions. That section lists the definitions of words used in the Part. It doesn't say that you can't pack a reserve as a reserve and a reserve as a main and go jump it. Then pack the jumped (as a main) reserve as a reserve. The FAA doesn't say that if an approved canopy is used as a main that it is disqualified from use as a reserve. It is an (another of many) area that the FAA doesn't address. Hook

I would recommend having the pin tested. Hook

Trying to get an idea of the magnitude and scope of the CW03-01 SB. What to do if the pin bends because of the test. Remove it from service, but who buys the new one? What to do if the seal breaks during Test 1 and you didn't pack the reserve? Are reserve pins strong enough? How much are you charging for the SB? How do you mark metal ripcord handles? How do you mark soft reserve ripcord handles? Do you see any flaws/drawback to Test 1? Do you see any flaws/drawbacks to Test 2? Any suggestions for a better test? How many ripcords have you tested? Using Test 1? Using Test 2? How many failed Test 2? List details, DOM, how failed, i.e. 'bent', 'broken', etc. How many failed Test 1? List details, DOM, how failed, i.e. 'bent', 'broken', etc How many broken seals using Test 1? Did you already have a spring scale or did you have to buy one? If so, how much did it cost? For Test 2, what are you using for the block? Any other problems/situations encountered with this SB? Hook

You are right. So then it doesn't specify how to mark any handle and it is left up to the rigger to decide how. In that case, I like your engraving idea. Thanks, Hook

Right, but in required equipment it lists an indelible marker. A bit of an assumtion on my part. I like the engraving idea. Hook

BSR or FAR for that? Hook