fcajump

Ordered new with the assistance of my rigger/instructor. True, I could have spent less. True, many folks change their rig/canopy in their first couple hundred jumps. FOR ME: spending the extra to have a professional instructor/rigger aide me with the purchase helped me get gear that worked well together and met my needs. I was in NO hurry to down size. My instructor was right when he expressed concern about my buying new gear, and even suggested that I might want a bit smaller to start. In one way he was right... I did tire of that first canopy... after 500+ jumps and 8 years. One does NOT HAVE TO downsize, and certainly one does not need to be in a hurry. Hmmm.... we keep having major injuries and fatalities by people that we judge downsized too fast. Maybe if they had bought their gear new they might have spent more time with it rather than take the price hit of buying new/selling used... Just a thought... Not "mainstream thinking", just my experience... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yep... and we have pilots fly though our 40 year running, NOTAM'ed weekly airshow anyway. Sometimes the FED on the field gets their tail number, sometimes he doesn't. One turned to narrowly avoid our jumper and found himself flying between two formation flights of 4 biplanes. I am hoping he had to change his shorts... because many of us on the ground did... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

You don't have enough info to be making that sort of conclusion. Sundevil777 is correct... (and no I don't take my own surveys here as scientifically meaningful, more like interesting bonfire chat information from my peers) I was pondering that myself, and the primary flaw in the thinking is that the exposure time* of those with soft handles to the potential of needing a reserve is significantly shorter than the exposure time for those with soft handles. *talking about number of jumps/years that the item has been in use... this conclusion would only be valid if a control on the conditional exposure were used, such as "in the last x years/y number of jumps" If we all adopted a new handle tomorrow, then that handle would have the highest "have" vote, and the lowest "needed to use" vote of them all and it would say nothing about how we pack mains. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

3 times, all "big D"s Twice in stable terminal freefall (one hard pull, one PC in tow). Once from a spinner/chop. No problem finding/grabbing/pulling. JW PS - main deployment on the other hand has been: throw out hacky / pvc / monkey soft pillow pull out (chest) Martin Baker two pin (chest) Bent L ring handle (chest) Martin Baker - outboard MLW PVC ripcord - outboard TI / T student hip (plus drogue from both seats) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

" ................................................................... Opening Shock Inhibitor - Yea... a device that either causes the canopy to not open for several thousand feet, or failing its primary job, causes the canopy to slam open unexpectedly... I think I would stay with "Oh-Shit, Its Chuck's" Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As one who is generally in favor of D-rings, I must agree that the fatal incident in West Point VA last year was, at least in part, due to the fact that the ripcord handle was, for whatever reason, out of the pocket. This is much less likely with a pillow style. Additionally, an incident at another VA dropzone in the early 90's was directly related to a D-ring ripcord snag. The aircraft was a twin-bo with exterior step/handle arrangement. The floater handles extended above the mount point on the door frame (make a fist with thumb extended up...) this allowed one extra grip point for front/rear floaters. Unfortunately for "Bert the Beech-killer", this upper extension was also right at the reserve ripcord handle level. Reserve went over the tail, and Bert took the entire right horizontal stab and elevator off with his face/shoulder. (Fortunately the pilot was able to put the plane down intact, and Bert survived after much surgery.) So yes, it does/can happen. However, I do tend to agree with you that the occurances are very rare, and the issues with pillow handles concern me more... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yes, but that's only 1 out of every 500 or so jumps. On the other 499 jumps when a reserve pull is not needed, then a loop creates a much bigger snag hazard than a pillow. So, making for an easier reserve pull once every blue moon, can increase your danger all the other times. Well... removing it all together also removes the risk of it being snagged... Miss that pillow just once in those 500 and you wont have to worry about it getting snagged on the next jump. I do get your point, but it seems that the occasions where a handle is snagged (admittedly VERY bad) is much less frequent than no pulls (or Cypres "pulls"). JW PS - thanks, this is the type discussion I am looking for... While I am glad to be right as usual , I value your (collective) contrary opinons and logic... it keeps me thinking from different angles. (or as someone once said... "with new eyes") Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

This customer and I occasionally jump there, great DZ (long drive). We were very sorry to hear of the loss. As the details came out of how it happened, he and I revisited our (dis)comfort level with the handle's behavior on this particular rig. That is when he decided to make the change. (His other rig does not have this issue, so he stayed with the original D.) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Thanks. One of the briefings I give my PEP customers is to practice with their eyes shut (not going to be wearing goggles) and to note that nothing else on the rig feels like that D-ring. (and right about then, nothing feels as good as a good crisp opening.) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I know two jumpers (one who posts here) that have loop cutaway handles to make them easier to grab/hold/pull without adding the weight of a full d-ring. Furthers my thinking that loops are better than pillows when the pulling gets tough. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Thanks. This guy's problem was the pocket is just too short such that when the MLW is under tension the handle wants to pop the bottom end out. (brand new rig / fresh velcro) Can't extend the pocket due to MLW length between hip and chest rings. We discussed trying to find a shorter handle, but he chose the soft (for now). JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Thanks, will go to them next... Meanwhile for those with stock Paragear seal/press... I've got the same issue, but made it a little better by putting a thin shim behind the seal die itself. That allows it to squeeze the seal a little more. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

This question stems from discussions I have had with one of my customers. I am personally much more comfortable with having a ring that I can put my fingers through for a reserve handle... Its what I've had when I had to use it, and its earned my trust in all weather. Snag potential is there, but learned to protect it from the early days (back when the main was a ring-handled ripcord mounted outboard on the MLW ) Due to an issue with the pocket size, this customer's D ring was constantly popping 1/2 out of the pocket. We both felt that this was unacceptable, and talked options with the factory. After discussing all options, the customer chose to go to a pillow handle (with hard insert), and is happy with it. I also jump his rig on occasion and while not 100% happy with it (compared to a ring), it seems OK. Your experiences (especially any negative either way)? Any added concerns with cold weather? Reasons for your choice? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I've seen it done... though the flaps had been... "extended"... (NOT a mod I would expect to see these days ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I assume this is why FFE put the cats-eyes in the crown lines to keep them centered... I assume you're refering to their comments on 20 year age limit... If so, not a problem here... I've long gone that route for several reasons, not the least of which is what I call the "widow and jury" argument. But understanding the lessons once learned that are now simply rattling around in aging rigger's heads is always a good thing... Got a rig in that hasn't been repacked since the factory in 1997 and is subject to an SB (never performed)... Total lock on the table. Damn good thing it wasn't needed. It'll be back in service, but only after I'm 100% that its right. Jw Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Can you define "a long time?" My Spectres have taught me patience... JW (personally I agree with davelepka, and I await the daily updates on a friend who is going through PT/OT to regain the use of his body... the impact you risk is not to you alone.) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I understand that the anti-inversion netting has had a huge impact on preventing problems with mil rigs, but most jumpers aren't willing to accept the added bulk. If you have more on this, I would really like to read up on it... I'm aware of the SB's from National, but not too much on what lead to them, and many of my customers are pilots. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As one of the riggers who has learned that I don't know everything, but want to... I personally agree with Beatnik in that a full inspection first goes along way. But I still do a sub-terminal the first time on a new canopy for several reasons: - high pull to learn the canopy - less likely to get slammed (or be slammed less) by an ill-behaved/trimmed/cut/sewn canopy - IF there is something wrong with the canopy that can fail while sub-terminal, I'd rather find that on a sub-terminal jump. I take several jumps to get the feel of a new (to me) canopy with increasing delays and speeds. Side note - even two canopies of the same make/model can open/fly different (especially if older). As to the idea of using sub-terminal jumps to "set" the canopy... I've heard of it and the explanation I got was that by putting higher loads on it through a series of jumps, the fibers would set more gradually. Whereas taking it from completely loose to a full terminal opening might damage the fibers (longer motion all at once = more heat = more fiber damage). It was not indicated that this would fail the canopy, just shorten the life of the canopy/lines... How true, dunno. Still true with modern materials? Dunno. That was back when line replacement was because one broke ("trim" that's what you did to the end of a line that was too long) Now most canopies are relined before anything breaks. So... sub-terminal to "set"... maybe not so much. But there are other reasons to start sub-terminal. Just the $.02 of a 20 year student on this stuff...

Right, thats what I found too. So I'm thinking the fit of the leg straps won't change. But the hip junction moves with the "shortening" of the MLW when packed which usually affects the fit of the leg straps. (not sure if you were thinking of doing so, but... ) DO NOT shorten the leg straps prior to jumping the rig a couple times (obviously/preferably packed when jumped, at least until deployment time ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

+1 ++1 Even when you are careful enough to ensure no danger to spectators or other jumpers, your "impact" damages my sport, your friends/family. I'm not saying your CANT do what you want, I'm asking that we do what we've done with instruction at all other levels. Hell, there were rules on how many jumps you had to have prior to jumping a ram-air at all... until the gear improved and our methods of instructing caught up with the speed of the 'chutes. And that was spurred on by folks tired of seeing their friends injured/killed because they could not safely land their new "high-performance" open/flying canopies. Why should this be any different?? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'd echo your recommendation. If the LST don't do enough, then bite the bullet and do it sooner, but I'd try them first. (to the newbies, and reminder to us all) As with ANY canopy condition on any jump, check it at opening... if its not well behaved now, it won't be for landing... try the other one ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Personal opinion... First option: I would have a rigger do a minor repair (replace and stitch/tack the new tube down). Better for resale and/or changing your mind about putting an AAD back in. Or Second option: I would have a Master rigger perform the reverse alteration of removing the entire after-market prep kit. Mind you, any residue of the tape MUST be cleaned up. If too hard, I would go with option 1 above. Of course, it your not using an AAD in the rig, and there is ABSOLUTELY NO residue from the sticky tape on the container, it might go unnoticed that the tube was missing.... Personally, I like option 1 with a new Cypres II... but that's just me.

#1. See your rigger to assist checking the trim, especially the brake set point. #2. See your instructor for good advice. I also jump Spectre's and one has a similar issue. IF the brakes are set too deep on opening (as mine are) FRONT risers actually help the inflation during the opening if it is surging/bucking after 50%+ inflation. Note that this is opposite normal end-cell closure corrective action. SO - with 90 jumps, MUCH better to have a better better behaved canopy than to be learning multiple advanced techniques. The Spectre is great, just get it trimmed correctly. #3 - see #1 above.

Not being a chemist, I admit to following the example of those who have more time/experience with these questions and then try to follow a conservative approach. To those who are in the industry, I would like to follow up with this second recommendation that was given me years ago... Prior to wiping down with the aforementioned ACE Hardware Silicon Lub, especially for those cables that have obviously not been cleaned in a long time, one should clean them with Lighter Fluid (Ronosonol). spec sheet: http://www.local510.org/msds_sheets/Ronsonol_MSDS.pdf By observation, this definately cleans off the aluminum ozide and/or dirt/oils etc... I've used this to clean and the Silicon Lub at every repack on my own rigs for over 10 years and the cables are clean and move very smoothly with no visible sign of ill affects to the coating. Curious what the chemists can tell me about this additional "cleaner"? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Spectre