fcajump

Blatent hijack! OK, you asked for it, so here it is, attached to this message. I was more concerned about this one... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

FYI - found this on the FAA's site in a document uses as guidance to the FAA inspectors: 8-476 ALTERATION OF THE MAIN PARACHUTE. A. The main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping may be altered by a master parachute rigger, the manufacturer, or any other manufacturer the Administrator considers to be competent. The alterations are not required to be made in accordance with approved manuals and specifications (14 CFR § 65.125(c)). Master parachute riggers are not required to comply with 14 CFR sections (§§) 65.127 through 65.133 (relating to facilities, equipment, performance standards, records, recent experience, and seal) when altering the main parachute. B. Any change to the configuration, method of operation, or method of packing the main parachute, up to and including the main canopy attachment links or the male end of the quick release fittings, is a main pack alteration. Any main parachute alteration that affects the strength or operation of the auxiliary parachute, including the harness, must be regarded as an alteration of the auxiliary parachute and handled accordingly. http://fsims.faa.gov/PICResults.aspx?mode=Search&q=parachute&kw=parachute&status=a&syn=1&sort=0& -------------- Not saying I think their position is right/wrong or even clear when it comes to certain detials... just this is what they tell their own people... Take it for what its worth. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Geez, Dave. There I was trying to lead him to realizing for himself that maybe the real issue wasn't gear related and you go and put it out there... Ah, yes... but even the OP indicated the concern of "what would have happened if it where my reserve pillow he kicked out instead of my cutaway"... And as many have replaced their reserve handle with soft handles, the concern is valid. Short of removing the handles completely, I must agree that protecting them will always be an issue. Years ago blast handles were designed to solve a safety issue... and killed folks along the way. Personally I'ld rather have handles that I can find/grab/use when needed and deal with co-jumper education issues to (hopefully) keep them where they should be during the exit/dive. Just my $.02 JW Protecting your handles is a very old and very basic is a very old and very basic safety issue. Unless somebody comes up with a revolutionary new system that does away with handles altogether, there will always be that risk, no matter what kind of handles you're using. Handles are an issue anywhere near or outside the open door and all the way down, even on the ground where you may need to use or prevent their use after you've landed. It has ever been thus. Changing your handles won't help as much as constant vigilance. Lets go back a second.... We are talking about the cutaway handle, not the ripcord. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Having worked for a long time with both DOS and Windows... which would I rather have on my back to save my &$$...?? Give me DOS anyday. You start adding complexity to the system and I start to envision a mini-blue-screen flashing as I suck it down too low... Just my own $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Never had one fail, seen very few that were of the "right" type, but a close friend of mine did... He was just returning to the sport after putting the gear in the closet for years. Took it to a rigger up in PA for I&R. As I understand it, the rigger told him that upon inspection, he should get new gear. When asked "why" the rigger, with my friend's consent, proceeded to demonstrate by picking up the skirt and ripping it to the apex with one move. My friend, being a seasoned and wise individual, recognizing that this is better seen on the ground than in the air, chose the "new gear" route. It was a HOT SAC that had been carefully stored and not inspected since shortly before the warnings went out. This is why riggers need to: read history compare notes research any gear that they don't know (make/model/year) ask questions like someone's life depends on the answer (it DOES) Just because it "flake in the usual manner" doesn't mean it should be... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

About 100 more or less each year, almost all rounds... except for the need for a table (solved, but not conveniently) I prefer rounds as the rigger... In my sport rig however... Ram-Airx2... Never have landed a round. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

During Tandem Instructor training, I was drilled on handle checks: before load on aircraft before exit after drogue deploy as part of canopy open check (including cutaway/reserve handles, lines, links, risers, rings, student connection points, etc...) To a slightly lesser degree, I've built this check into my personal rig use as well. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Recommendation: Cut the lines Check with DPRE's/course instructors to see if any of them want one for instructional purposes. DO NOT sell on EBay... I'm tired of having to explain why the CR&P they just bought online is not going to get packed. While it COULD be washed, and pull tested... why...? New and not-so-old "never been hot" reserves just aren't that expensive. But then, thats just me... I think my last shot (and that of those I rig for) should be as good as I can get it... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For the history buffs... (better written than most news paper accounts now days...) http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E7D91E39E333A25750C1A96E9C946196D6CF VERY telling about the "state-of-the-art" in parachuting in 1910... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I usually don't like "me too" posts, but here is another rigger that votes for "pull it" - yes, but in front of and in consultation with the rigger. It helps both of you. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Welcome back "old skydiver"...

Hi Dan... Not to pile on, but I've seen (more than once) one other issue occur between jumps in a day and not get caught until the jumper was either on the plane or on the way to it... When being carried back, the main riser flips down on the base ring. When being packed the riser becomes jammed with the middle/top rings facing toward the base of the big ring... (hard to describe... will try to post a pic). Point: there is another problem that can occur during the pack that needs to be found before use, and a pin check that includes the 3-ring system will find it. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

A lot of riggers I know are already saying they are going to nearly double their price ($50ish to $80ish) for a reserve repack if the cycle goes to 180 days. So, it wouldn't be like you'd be the only one out there doing that. I will likely do so in '08 regardless, but then I haven't raised my core prices since 1999. I don't rig FOR the money, but its starting to cost me more money and time than its been worth... (OK, it always was...) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Sh*t!!! I haven't meet a pilot yet that gets his bail-out rig repaced every 120 days let alone would ever 180. Most of mine do, but they're involved in a weekly airshow with a Fed on the field EVERY week. The down side is that the show goes 6 mo... means EVERYONE will want their rig packed the week before the season so as to last through the end of the season (~180 days later)... I think I will start charging premium for that week. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

How about now? Are we there yet, are we there yet... Thanks for the update Terry. I've got pilots that are almost accusing me of hiding the change from them (as though it was already in place)... I keep telling them "you've delt with the FAA... you tell me how fast they are to make things easier...??" Personally I'm fine with 180 as long as they don't all want them on the same day. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I freaking LOVE having the 'problem' of hanging out with him at least weekly

It's funny you should say that because the OP is my wife and that's why she asked the question, because she loves to fill her head with gear info.

They're both trash, worthless and dangerous. As a matter of fact, they're so bad, you should not even have them in the house... I am willing to help you in this matter. Please send them immediately for disposal... address to follow. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Maybe this is answered elsewhere and I missed it... Are we talking main or reserve? Reserve - If Cypres (or other cutter equipped), I would suggest using nothing other than what Airtek specifies as the cutter may not cut it. Main - I still use 550 gutted... For this one, I would have to ask... why change? Plenty around, predictable and known breakage behavior. 550 has some stretch which means it provides some give (think spring action) when closing and holding closed. Kevlar and Spectra have no give; therefore tension is based more on how your pack job went. Its frayed appearance is well known (easy to know when to change) and can be identified by the greenest of pin-checkers. Its cheep. (free if you talk to your rigger and learn to trap your own) Its friction is also well known. Remember friction is needed... too little and the pin will easily slip when you don't want it to. I guess I'll refer to a well known jumper's pet question: "what is the problem you are trying to fix??" Not against innovation, but this one does not click with me... I WOULD like to hear why the desire to change...

Agreed. I believe that what will (likely) work just fine is different that what is legal and very different than what is easily explained to judge/jury if there is a problem. "ya see your honor, it seemed like it would work just fine and the guys on DZ.com seemed to know better than the mfg, so..." Personally, I'll keep questioning the mfg and packing it their way until they change the manual... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Do I recall that someone makes risers with hard housings that use an AMP fitting to secure it at the 3-ring grommet?? Anyone use these? If so, any issues? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Ah... but that doesn't mean that we won't each use it as an excuse to spout our own pet thoughts on it, or related concepts... When I started rigging, I vowed to hold myself to the same standard that I hold my customers... NO PENCIL PACKS. And Yes, I have put the gear away and done other things when I realized that my own reserve was out of date. I have retired two cypres' 1's when they were 12y3mo. Either you bend the rules or you don't. If your rigger will bend on rush jobs or pencil packs when you are in a hurry, how far will they bend when they're in a hurry and you're not around?? Do I think the regs make it "safe", no... good rigging does that. Is the rig still good at 121days, likely yes (if it was on day 119)... but when do you draw the line...? Besides... if you own a rig, you should know when: I&R is due Cypres (1) battery is due AAD service is due I have little sympathy for rush jobs unless there was a (legitimate) reserve deployment or external problem (wet, damage, etc...) Just my rant, not at the OP, just in general...

I know, its still that way for me... so I do the repacks with my eyes closed I have no problem working in front of the owner, or (most) other riggers... but as most have pointed out, one rigger can't keep from discussing technique with another rigger while watching. I do think that I ought to change to an hourly rate when people watch though... takes twice as long as I spend as much time teaching as I do rigging... JW Sample Price Sheet: I&R - $x I&R w/ you observing - $x + y/hour I&R w/ your help - $x + 2*y/hour I&R w/ your rigger's help - $x + 4*y/hour Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Today (November 13th, 2007) I got both canopies back from Skyworks that they recieved on Oct 4th 2007. No service work has been done, instead inside there's a typed, unsigned letter saying : "Hi, I apologize for the inconvenience but I am out of town and unable to handle your oder/request at this time. Again I apologize for any incovenience this may have caused you. Sincerely Mark Lancaser" Hello !! - it has been 5 weeks - and there was not answers to my emails, phone calls or voicemails or PMs.... Nice service ... And what good is sending me back a canopy that you needed to re-reline since your original reline turned it into an insta-canopy ? So, how can somebody who (was) so reputable just turn around and dissapear into the unknown ? My guess... he got a job/contract that pays well and got too overloaded for the amount of rigging work coming in... In general, rigging doesn't pay well... (said without slam toward Mark, nor without simpathy to your situation) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Nope - you still can't blow through it and it flies the same provided that the line set is good. Two things do happen which only affect packing: 1. The ZP slick disappears from the outside of the fabric so it's as easy to handle as F111. 2. The stitching holes open up so it's easier to squeeze air out. My Stiletto 120 with a 135 bag is my _favorite_ canopy to pack by far. You can stick it in the bag with one hand, leave it there, and close the bag at your leisure. The tail end of the center cell top skin definitely wears from packing and the slider gets some wear (I think from pulling it through the canopy end of the daisy chain) but it flies fine and passes the thumb-test in the worn areas. Going on the theory that every thing has a limit, and that either the performance will dictate the limit or the structure will. F-111 used to be retired for lack of performance, if in fact ZP holds its performance, than eventually age will retire them in other ways... ...I suspect that we will, in the next few years, start seeing main canopy failures (during deployment) that will teach us what the effective ZP life is... Remember, when the top of the center cell is missing, along with your pilot chute and D-bag, "is it controllable, is it landable?" Let me know how many licks your canopy takes to get to the center... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...