fcajump

FWIW - On at least one occasion during a ground deployment prior to repack, the velcro released and I experienced the cable-stop effect. If I had not known that could happen, and if I were in the air, it could have been very disconcerting until I realized that the canopy had actually deployed. (I would likely have pulled the pin through the housing sideways if necessary... ) Just something to know. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Found bobbin thread missing for ~8" on an inside seam. This is why my inspections are 100% inside/out. I go with the idea that there is a mistake in the rig. If I can't find it, the owner gets to use it for another 180 days, then I get to try again. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Unfortunately (while very rare) this goes for new rigs just delivered from the factory. Haven't found a total waiting to happen from a factory, but have found errors. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

1. glad you're here to talk about it...

Biplane - Chopped Main in front - Spectre 230 Reserve in back - Fury 220 Exit weight: 254 No RSL Main released without complications. Down-wind hazards, slow decent rate and wind speed and low forward air speed were factors in choosing to chop. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'm sure I missed some configurations, but make your best to classify. THEN PLEASE - indicate: Which canopy in front/first. Canopy Sizes Exit weight Other factors that might have influenced your actions. JW PS - there is no such thing as a perfect plane, pilot, parachute, instructor or DZ Poll. So until then we'll just have to take our chances with what we have. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

(not aimed at PopsJ, just using his post to jump in here) _VERY_ small sample to include - Witnessed: 1994ish, scared Cypres two larger early ram-air. Landed stable bi-plane. Almost couldn't put his feed down for the slow decent rate. Personal: 2008, main slamed me just as I was getting ready to go to plan B. Got both. No RSL. (front) Main - Spectre 230, (back) Reserve Fury. (exit weight ~254) Long story short, choose to chop from biplane. While the risers slapped the underskin of the main, it cleared fine. I can see how during that slap, it could have snagged a line. Decent rate under biplane was very slow and I expect a no-flare landing would have been OK. This is one of a long list of reasons I like bigger, more docile canopies. A few years ago, while some of us were attending a dual-out seminar at PIA, Glenn Bangs had a two-out turn to instant down-plane. If I recall correctly he chopped/flared/landed. Might be useful if those with bad outcomes were to post their details. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

First - GLAD you asked!! Keep asking. Second - as you see from the replies the 99.44% pure answer is "don't do that... it can be very bad" There are very rare times when it might be necessary to delay, but that means that there have already been mistakes made and you are willing to take the risk to avoid a bigger problem (like an open canopy just off to the side and below you). This is a high-experience option, not to be taken lightly. Take that video seriously. KEEP ASKING. That is the GREAT thing about this site (and instructors). Blue Skies, JW

~1995ish - Hartwood Harry brought a Twin-Bo back missing the right side horizontal stab when Burt "The Beech Killer" snagged his reserve handle on the front floater handle. (Handle was modified prior to the next flight.) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

VERY Glad you're (still around and) able to reply to this thread!!

Mostly I don't use either for Ram-Air's (weights for rounds). Though my weights are good for keeing things stable. COUNT YOUR TOOLS! I have seen one container mfg that seems to prefer using clamps. And I've been told by one reserve canopy mfg that they don't want any kind of clamp placed on their canopy for ANY reason. (not packing, not hanging, not fabric pull test, not no way, not no how... not ever... they seemed rather adamant...) If you use weights: - clean/smooth surface - no leaking dust (fine grain sand/grit is bad for fabric) - heavy enough to do the job - long bright (contrasting) flags to keep from loosing them in the folds - COUNT your tools when done. If you use clamps: - clean/smooth surface - large/strong enough to do the job - long bright (contrasting) flags to keep from loosing them in the folds - COUNT your tools when done. Verify that your home-grown techniques do not violate the mfg's recommendations. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Wat talking about the excess line. The new systems that keep the toggle in place work fine, though I prefer velcro there too. I've had Velcro'ed toggles all along and little problem with line snag. You just put the toggles back on the male velcro after landing and its all good. I have more problem with velcro on the freebag wanting to grab the uncoated reserve lines than any issue with my main lines. Just saying that some knowledge of the gear, care with the handling and common sense goes a long way. (A friend still jumps his original Sweethog, and it looks in better shape than rigs I see at the DZ with 1/2 the jumps and 1/10 the time in service. Unfortunately we've got less and less of all the above. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

What is this obsession with loosing the velcro?? I'm not saying that some of the changes we've made aren't for the better, but come on... As to personally ensuring that the slack is there, most people don't know why the velcro is there to begin with, and many packers don't either. Remove the velcro and they'll stop leaving the slack. You folks are assuming that people understand their equipment!! Now excuse me while I go ADD some velcro to my risers since the dang "maintenance-free" loops don't actually keep the lines STOWED... [/rant] Just my $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Anyone have any history on these guys: "Wild" Bill Haynie - Double Jumper (intentional cutaway? ) Ray Morders Eddie Butler - Instructor (any relation to Manley?) Kim Scribner Al Hines - Delayed Jumper (freefall? ) See attached. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yea... but a planned recovery would be nice. Of course it does emphasis the WHY of water training... JW PS - just might have to talk with Steve about Lake Orange... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Seems like it used to be common... Does anyone actually still do water training by parachuting into large bodies of water?? I missed doing one by 1 year at my old DZ, and it doesn't seem like anyone (around here) does them anymore... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Well... as I have a new rig and reserve on order... I am facing this same question. Bottom line for me, I want my rigger to perform a "full seam inspection" before I put the rig on. This is easy to make sure it gets done as I am my own rigger, but its certainly not "free"... it takes time and keeps me from making money on someone else's rig at that time. I've been given a hard time (good naturedly) by several manufacturers who question whether or not I trust their quality control. Sorry... but I've seen and heard of too many QC issues with rigs straight from the factory. This gives me another, independent, inspection to verify it was constructed and configured correctly (and as expected). So, when mine gets here, it'll get the same "full seam inspection" that I give any rig I've never seen before. As a rigger, its my double check that the thing was built correctly. Normal/recurring inspections are to make sure its still that way. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Don't worry about the butterflies... I still get them on the first jump of the year . JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'm 5'9" (1.7526 Meters) and 254-lbs (115kg) out the door. Recommendations: not so much a specific rig, but a rig that fits you right. The harness should fit you properly (not out to the stops on the webbing, chest strap in the right place, laterals and bottom of the rig low enough on you, etc...). And the container should fit properly to the canopies that are correct for your weight and skill level. (remember - skill level NOW, not the skill level you will have later... buy the rig that will let you live long enough to gain the skills to want a different rig later...) Having said that, as a bigger jumper you will also want to develop the skills to fly with all those "twiggy" people out there. IT CAN BE DONE!! Lastly: Big should not mean out of shape. You've got more mass to land. If you're not in shape to tumble/PLF, run out the landing, etc... (i.e. if you're like me ) now would be a good time to work on that too. This is a physical sport and you'll be better off if you are ready to take a bad dock or landing... because they will happen. ENJOY! JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Because there's a small chance the RSL might interfere with a clean cutaway in this case. So, if you have the time, disconnect it if you find yourself under a 2out. AFAIK if you jump a Racer, in a 2out situation where you weant to cutaway, you *have* to disconnect it even. RTM for that one: The Racer manufacturer (in a different, recent thread) recommends disconnecting the RSL on all jumps after verifying the main is good. This does not seem to be the consensus opinion. My experience / training would suggest: If you have a Racer, either follow the mfg's recommendation, or at least respect the double-total possibility with a two-out-cutaway. Two-outs (on non-Racers) time permitting, release it. Reduces snag potentials. High wind conditions* -maybe the reserve wouldn't completely inflate... but it'll cost you a repack at least. Water landing - given time, this will give you the option of getting loose of the main if it is caught in swift current. CReW - I'll let Wendy and the 'dogs speak to that. JW *remember, that despite the best of plans, a gust front can catch even experienced jumpers unaware... and habits practiced early will pay off when you start jumping in less forgiving conditions. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Probably... but even Poynter (and more recently Sandy) indicates that there are many techniques and that manuals often say, in effect, "in the usual manner". FAA-H-8083-17 Parachute Riggers Handbook (Sandy) describes basically the technique I showed as #1, with a knot in the thread that ends up inside the seal... but also defers to manufacturer's instructions. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yes... but most DZ's I've been to (when checking someone's rig) would not consider it usable at their DZ without a seal that matches the pack data card... even though they may not be required to be there. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Sorry Terry... its been a long day... Are you asking for additional Presentation topic ideas, or items for the Rigger Discussion/Forum? If the later: Cypres Disks (soft) Sealing techniques (from around the world ) Spring Loaded Pilot chutes that fail to launch Not opening the container Not leaving the container FAA Plastic License requirements -> Future FAA photo license requirements (for the USA licensed folks) That's off the top of my head... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

While I've never see that, I like it. BTW - While I put a lot of stock in Poynter's manual, it is not law... and even in your graphic he presents three methods depending on seal / no-seal / dual pin... etc... I also find his notes interesting... "Sealing should be specified by the manufacturer", and half of their instructions say "see Poynters" Finally - while I do not find it necessary to knot the thread in the seal, I do find that a simple overhand knot after the two sides exit the seal (see my previous graphic method #1) helps hold the seal where I want it on the thread while I'm pressing it. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

But it is common practice, and one I would suggest be promoted. Just my $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...