Hooknswoop

I think these guys; http://www.skydivinginnovations.com/sponsorshipcontent.html did that demo. Derek

The problem is if you speak up you will get zero support from your fellow jumpers, trust me, I know. They just want to jump and have fun, they do not want to take a stand. Derek

Sounds like either line tiwsts or the container passed between a set of risers, kind of a sideways step through. Derek

Maybe, but how do you suggest treasting the disease? Besides if some tunnel time allows the student to relax and maintain altitude awareness, why mess with sucess? Derek

A search will bring up a lot of info. Full flight in turbulence is your best shot for keeping the canopy inflated. If it does collapse, half brakes +/- will get it to re-inflate faster. Derek

A patch will do more damage in needle holes that it will fix. Just keep an eye on it. Like others have mention F-111 tape will just make things worse in the long run. Derek

It wouldn't be required until the course was established. How would you suggest it be mandatory? "A" license isn't feasable, too much too soon. They may never get another license beyond the "A". Exactly, great courses are available and people aren;t getting the training/education. Derek

I think a Caravan's tachometer starts running at 30 knots. It isn't the same as a piston tach though where it can be fooled if i understand it correctly. Derek

.2 tach time is 12 minutes. At 1000 fpm, that is 13.5 minutes to 13,500 ft. He must mean it takes average .2 to altitude per load, not counting the descent. Derek

I have never heard of them failing. Where/when has this happened? Have any failed from this? You are right, JP caught me on it ealier, I should have said soft link, 'Slink' is shorter to type though I always made my own for years and never had a problem. Derek ***

There is at least one tandem main that is TSO'd as a reserve also. The rig uses the same canopy for the main and the reserve. Derek

I don't think are qualified to discuss which link is better since you have little to no experience or knowledge of Slinks. Derek

All I could find. Doesn't really matter what the tensile strength of a Rapide link is, it's less than a Slink. I don't either, but without having any downsides and having a few upsides, notably, they are stronger- Slinks are a better link. Derek

Especially considering this is the second time it has happened. Juggalo: When you talked to the manufacturer, did they have an opinion on a course of action (besides not packing the worn out main as a reserve)? Derek

Yes. Because it is a trade off between weight and bulk and strength otherwise we could use 10,000 pounds shackles. "L" bars are good for rounds with a lot of lins, but not so good for squares with less lines. The link could be side-loaded without enough linesw to prevent side loading. Given the 2 most popular choices of Rapide links and Slinks, Slinks are stronger without increasing weight or bulk. In fact, they have less bulk and weight. This is a discussion about which is better, Rapide links or Slinks since they are what is in common usage. So, between Rapide links and Slinks, which do you think are better? Derek

§65.129 Performance standards. No certificated parachute rigger may -- (a) Pack, maintain, or alter any parachute unless he is rated for that type; (b) Pack a parachute that is not safe for emergency use; Derek

AC-105-2C says; "The strength of the harness must always be equal to or greater than the maximum force generated by the canopy during certification tests. (1) In a case where the harness is certificated under TSO-C23b and the canopy under TSO C23c, the maximum generated force of the harness and container; i.e, Low-Speed Category (3,000 lbs.) and Standard Category (5,000 lbs.). In this instance, no additional marking on the container is necessary. (2) In the case where the canopy is certificated under the TSO-C23b and the harness under TSO-C23c, the strength of the harness must be equal to or greater than the certificated category force of the canopy” " That isn't what AC-105-2C says. Even if it did, what max weight and speed do you de-rate the reserve to to be under 3,000lbs max peak force? It isn't a max weight or max speed issue, it is a max force issue. The container is rated to 3,000 lbs and the avg peak force of the reserve in testing was 3639 lbs. In this case the strength of the harness does not exceed the "maximum force generated by the canopy during certification tests" Derek

Yes, that is alot. You could get 3 tandems, 14 jumps 1 on 1 with an instructor, a free hop and pop, video on each AFP jump, gear rental included elsewhere for that price. Derek

Since he doesn;t have an AAD, the odds of landing under his reserve unconcious are very low. Yes, it is an increased risk, but he has the experience to make an educated choice. I put a ride on a MR-109-M and a PD-106R in CO. The -M had very little flare even with extra speed from a turn to final, while the PD had lots of flare with a straight in approach. I was 190-ish out the door. I didn't have an AAD. Derek

Thanks. More than a couple. Derek

I looked over an un-editted copy of TS-135 last night and didn't see how it would fix the issue. It is rated to no more than 3,000 lbs force and the PD-113 has an avg peak force of more than that. The only fix I can see is to re-TSO the container or change AC-105-2C. The problem is, now that I know, do I pack the rig? Either Mirage didn't realize the issue, or put together illegal rigs or have something from the FAA allowing it. I would really like to know which it is, since this directly affects me. There are a lot of reserves TSO'd under TSO C23d, and I'm sure a lot of them have peak avgerge forces above 3,000 lbs. There could be thousands of rigs that are affected. Derek

The loss of altitude awareness stemmed from stability issues. Tunnel time would allow him to work on that and other maneuvers, gaining confidence and experience. Then on the next jump, which should go a lot smoother because of the tunnel time, it will be easier to pay attention to altitude and accomplish the dive plan maneuvers. Derek

I don't think it is illegal to exceed the TSO'd weight and/or speed either though. If it was, there is a lot of illegal skydiving going on, exceeding the max speed of the container and/or reserve. I would like to see something from the FAA saying it is illegalto exceed the TSO'd max weight or speed and the lower than TSO'd speed and weights from PDR's. I hadn't seen that in the PD manual, thanks. This really is just talking legalities, not what is safe or smart, just what is legal. Derek

It's only a requirement for TSO C23d to put the average peak force on the canopy. Some PDR's are under TSO C23c and some, like the 99, 106, and 113, are under d and others are under c. I mentioned the 113 because I had one here unpacked I could look at. I don't know where else besides the label to find the avg peak force for the others. Derek

Less stress on the balloon. When you leave, if it was hovering, it would take off going up. With a descent, it only goes up slowly. Derek