fcajump

Well of course, but OUR DZ practiced this while the pickup was going 20mph down the taxiway to simulate a bad downwind landing. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

--------------------------------------- F=m * a is one side of the equation. Here is the other side: F = c * A * v^2 where A is the area of the canopy V is the speed c is a coefficient m * a = c * A * v ^ 2 As you see lager acceleration/deceleration belongs to bigger mass,because forces in this system does not depend on the mass of the system. c is deppending on the shape, air desity.... A the area of the canopy is constant V is the deployment speed --------------------------------- I will agree with your initial equations, however... 1. c and A will be constantly changing during the deployment 2. v (velocity at deployment) is a function of: m (mass) c2 (shape, air density of freefalling body prior to deployment), and A2 (the freefalling body's area) Finally, it is common practice in modern science to take the theoretical equations and place them in the lab for validation. As we have both test results and actual experiences that seem to show that (in some combinations) overloaded and/or overspeeded canopes (and harnesses) have/will fail due to excessive stress, it seems that the mathmatical model is itself flawed. As a heavier jumpers, who is a self-proclaimed chicken-sh!t, I will heed the warnings of the manufacturers and testers who have more practical experience with this stuff than I. (Matter of fact, this is why I retired a reserve...) To me, failure of a reserve system (including harness) because someone wanted to second guess the test results is unacceptable. If you want to be a test jumper or designer, go for it, but understand that is what you are doing when you go outside the placarded limits. Just my rant. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As Bill Booth is a known member here, and one who tests things extensively... I wonder if he would care to comment on this issue and whether he would approve the addition of webbing to the leg straps on a Vector? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I teach for free (when/as time permits). Last time I taught it was at the jumper's house with both my gear and his, instructing both him and his roommate... Again free, but when he offered me a nice tip for the 3-4 hours I had spent, I quickly promised him that it his money would disappear into thin air asap... and it did that weekend in the form of a couple lifts to 13,500' (PS - just in case anyone thinks I pulled a fast one to get my gear packed... my rig started packed and ended the night unpacked... I like to use it for packing demo's as every cell and stab are different a color from their neighbors and the center is a unique color... much easier to demo on than a mono-color.) Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Only two actuals I know of beyond the PD and Golden Knight reports... Glenn Bangs report to the PIA Symposium of his two-out / instant downplane a last year (happened to him at the local DZ while the rest of us were in a seminar on what to do if you have two out... guess he shouldn't have been playing hookie... ) My own two-out during an airshow... long story short had a bumpy bi-plane (big canopies) that were going to get me into power-line trouble. Chose to chop (main in front), and in my case it cleared just fine. I recommend reading BOTH reports, consider the relative and absolute sizes of canopies used in the testing and think through your options with your specific canopies. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

So what does USPA say about very low experience jumpers? Very Low Experience jumpers would fall under a section called "students". See everything is a matter of perspective and where you place the emphisas. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

When in doubt about hardware names, you can always check it against the pics on www.paragear.com They have long been one of the (more) definitive sources for information concerning equipment on the market. That's why their catalog is often required reading for rigger's classes Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For intentional cut-aways, I often use a NavAir. It measures 24' with tri-vents and NO apex vent. Opens just fine for me... of course I pack it in an old Vector D-Bag with a Cruzlite slider and I open sub-terminal. At an exit weight of ~254lbs, I don't land this thing, but it is fun to fly... very quiet... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Probably a good option for your first rig (especially if you have the funding.) Its how I bought my first one, and there was no regrets. However, one lesson I almost learned the hard way with new gear... You picked it out, you custom ordered everything and you bought it from a reputable dealer... and it came in (slightly) wrong... what now? DO NOT ACCEPT IT! For what you are paying, you should get it exacly as you ordered it. Fortunately I had a good dealer who agreed with me that the center flap was not as I ordered it (and it was hidious besides). He delt with the problem and even left me one of his student rigs while I waited. My experience was an example of why to work with a good/reputable dealer, not just the one with the lowest price. Best of luck to you! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

While used gear is a viable option (I've bought used gear in the past), as a newbe I would strongly recommend getting your local trusted rigger to work with you on the purchase... ESPECIALLY anything online. DO NOT buy anything where the sale is not contingent upon your rigger's inspection and favorable report. Often both payment and the rig are sent to the mutually trusted rigger or DZ. Once inspected, the seller and buyer can decide who gets the check and who gets the rig. (Usually the buyer pays for the inspection, but that's up to you and the seller.) I've had several people come to me with EBay specials that were the quickest way to die. I've also assisted several people buy rigs from EBay that were worth more than they paid. (Mostly pilots, but good sport stuff too.) Good hunting, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Amen!! It's about the only reason I am considering alternatives for my new reserve. When discussing reserves in general, this and use of a contrasting thread are the two issues that seem so easy to fix, and such a pain in the field when the mfg's "choose poorly". Just my $.02 Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

From you description, several things come to mind (each unlikely, but obviously something happened...) Anyone from CSS around here that can shed some informed light on the situation? Glad to hear your with us and continuing on!!

You're kidding right? No, not kidding but it was a general case description... I prefer the cable end tucked back into the pocket. However this is not possible or desireable with all rig designs. Larger rigs, or different designs require more slack (see the "real world - too short"). This mfg may have a reason why it needs to be that long. However, I don't always buy the mfg's statement that "that's the spec'ed measurement for that rig"... when things still don't seem right I will chase down the issue with them. Recently worked with a rig where replacements parts built to spec for the rig simply do not fit. (17y.o. rig built before the design was sold to current mfg) End result was that we shipped it to them for custom parts. Talk to them about what you are seeing and what your concerns are. I've yet to find one that would not work with me (or educate me on "why"). If you still are not comfortable with the rig, don't pack it. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Technical answer: Too long: longer than the MFG makes it for that rig Too short: shorter than the MFG makes it for that rig. My thoughts on the real world: Too long: long enough that it chances snagging on things... too long to tuck neatly into the pocket with the handle (after ensuring the end/ball swedge). Too short: there should be at least a little slack in the cable when the pin is seated all the way and the housing and MLW are stretched tight. Any shorter and you are risking a premature deployment. HOWEVER, if I found one outside of my "real world" thoughts, I would contact the mfg before adjusting things... whether or not it goes in the air first depends on how far out it is... Above are my own guidelines, but really in the absence of the mfg it is an educated judgement call. When in doubt, call the mfg. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Kallend makes a good point. When one signs the waiver, does he or she expressly state that they are promising to not sue if something happens to them, even if it's due to something like what Kallend is suggesting? I agree that we all accept risk in this sport. However, my problem is this... I also believe that extreme cases of negligence or unsafe practice is relative to the jury hearing the case. I believe that: GROSS negligence (drunk while packing reserves, illegal mods/repairs to aircraft, home-made student rigs*) should render the waiver useless, while normal "industry practice" that may lead to injury or death is what should be covered by the waiver. And in some states, gross negligence is grounds to throw out the waiver (in practice)... its like the 55MPH speed limit... you don't know how it will be enforced from jurisdictionto jurisdiction. Some places 70MPH will get you run over by faster drivers and others will get you arrested. What I would like is a truthful waiver... "we will do our best to ensure your safety while trying to cheat death, but shit happens"... that is then enforced when a DZO, pilot, instructor, rigger goes out of bounds on what should be reasonably expected from them. Taking personal responsibility should include both parties... the jumper and those who supply him with services, equipment or instruction. This is a dangerous sport, and we all need to be careful. If you don't think the others around you are taking it just as careful as you do, DONT GET IN THE PLANE. Blue (safe) skies gentlemen (and ladies), Jim *examples given are from the dark side of the imagination and not something actually seen. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am NOT a BASE jumper, and in light of a recent incident had a question... Background - freefall skydiver used to jumping a throw-out pc... have jumped a pull-out a couple times. For sub-terminal / low BASE jumps, would there be any advantage to placing the PC handle on the bottom of the PC (like pull-out) rather than on the apex (like throw-out)? My (limited) experience at terminal with the throw-out was that having the pc exposed to the wind apex up provided a much more positive indication that it had caught. Aside - being used to throw-out, I tried to "hold" it to full arm extension at terminal... nearly took my arm with it, and did take some skin off my hand!! At least there was no question that deployment had begun!! With sub-terminal BASE, it seems that this would be a better handle placement, but what do I know... I'm scared of heights... Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I hope you mean a rig you have never seen before? Would you do this for your customer if you packed it the last time and know that they always take care of there gear and had no bad landings and no reserve rides? Can't speak for Sparky, but only for myself: Sport I haven't seen before - ~4 hrs min Sport w/ my seal on it ~2hrs min PEP I haven't seen before - ~3 hrs min PEP w/ my seal on it ~2 hrs min Rush orders... fastest job would be a PEP

The difference between God and a Lawyer... God doesn't think he's a Lawyer... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

First, this is what I was told by a fairly senior certification individual with more than 30 years and 25,000 jumps; I'd rather not attribute the quote to him in case I've misunderstood. But I don't believe I misunderstood him. That said, if the USPA were to adopt a policy that everyone, period, had to use an AAD, then they'd be at liability if one failed, because they've now become part of the problem. Regardless of what dropzone you're jumping in. Every DZ would be exposed. Just like airbags having lost several court cases, I'm sure this would be worse. Then again, what do I know? I'm just one of the dummies that folks with more than 1000 jumps discount comments from. I would suggest that USPA could take the same attitude that individual DZ's take... if you want to jump at a MEMBER DZ you will have an AAD. Just as I am not required to jump at a particular DZ, I am not required to jump at a USPA DZ, nor am I required to be a USPA member at all. However, it could also be argued that "your honor, my client died because the DZ did not require AADs despite the proof of their value and the standards within the industry..." Don't know if it would win, but it could be argued. (so much for individuals being responsible for thier own choices...) I would liken it to manditory seat belt laws. I wear a seatbelt and believe that they save lives... However, those who want to fight for their right to do what they want can, and do, point to the much rarer accident where a seatbelt contributed to the death (or lack of a seatbelt lead to a better outcome). Yes there are tradeoffs, and will not be a 100% safe answer, but I will take the options with better track records... AAD's on my rigs and seatbelts in my car. BTW - are their times to turn off my AAD, sure... one airshow pilot I jump with likes to do wing-overs and other manuvers on the way to altitude... right around 1000'... In an open cockpit aircraft, it is my opinion that having the AAD on is a higher risk than having it off when he is flying... Blue ones, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Might also try silicon spray lubricant (ACE hardware sells a good one). This is the same stuff that Booth recommends for cleaning/lubricating cut-a-way cables. (Be careful not to use the spray silicon adhesive!!) While this should work well, the imagery does not carry the same weight... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I like the long, easy to grab handle of the Jack the Ripper, but I ran into trouble figuring out where I could put a Jack the Ripper. I could sew it to my RW jump suit, but my grips are right where I'd have easiest access to a hook knife. Also, I don't wear my RW jump suit on every jump. I ended up having our DZ rigger fix up the pocket on my leg strap to accomodate a short hook knife (the Jack the Ripper is too long to go into my leg strap pocket). I liked that solution, but I recently lost that hook knife on a hard opening. I like the way the Icon container has the hook knife on the shoulder harness. It seems really easy to get to. I like my Wings, but the one thing I covet about Icon containers is their spiffy hook knife.

The other instructors and the S&TA were not on the jump. Unless you were in the class with this TI you don't know what the examiner taught him. When a TI straps a passenger on they are accepting full responsibility for the out come of that jump. Any TI that is not willing to accept this fact needs to reevaluate being a TI. As has been posted before, tandem jumps have been done for 22 years with just 2 cases of a passenger falling out of the harness. Over that period of time it is likely that every type of passenger, large, small, short, tall, thin and round, have been hooked up. That would lead me to believe that it can be done safely with the present gear. I think everyone involved in tandems, instructors, manufactures, evaluators and DZO need work together and re-evaluate any and all procedures. Not to look for something wrong or point fingers but to see where procedures can be improved for the good of all. jmo While not excusing anything, and assuming that Ted's evlauation of the video is correct, I could see how this situation could start off... (pure speculation, but with a lesson for us all)... How often do non-TI's put the harness on TS' expecting that the TI will complete the full adjustments? And often TI's meet their next student on the way to the plane barely having time to get their own (next) rig on their shoulders. This back-to-back type of operation is common. Things get crowded, busy, noisy, etc in the plane and the instructor's last two students were fully adjusted by other TI's on the ground... in-plane checks forgotten... (or hard to verify while sitting with a very heavy student). I would like to see instructors stop the back-to-back runs and dress, adjust, instruct, etc... each student they take (something I insisted on while instructing). Just my $.02, and while I think something to think on, I reitterate that I have NO personal knowledge of what happened in either recent incidents. Keep it safe guys (and gals), Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Wanted to add my $.02... First - COOOOOLL!!! Congrats on getting it right. Your prize is to live to jump another day. I would caution you on one aspect... while I appreciate the desire to keep that expensive main, by catching it you risk several potential bad days: entanglement with your body and then: * catching on something on the ground during landing, * inflation of the PC, leading to * inflation of the main while entagled with you, * hands occupied while in proximity of other fliers and or on out landing. At a minimum, I would think about dropping it once over a good place to find it. Finally (hi-jack alert): years ago I had a PCIT and found NOTHING wrong with the pack or PC... until I found out that the PC was the wrong size (too small) for my main... To those who jump larger canopies (>180ft^2) make sure the kill-line PC you use is large enough for the canopy its extracting. Talked directly with Mr. Cazer and he upgraded me on the spot. No issues since. Congrats! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For clarification... do you consider "one broken stand" acceptable or reason to replace? As I do as well... what I don't know is why I fairly regularly end up with fuzzy's... Any ideas what causes this? J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

The issue with liability comes in two flavors: - my reputation with other jumpers, my seal is my word that the rig was recently inspected and approved. The harness is not overly worn, the loops are not freyed, the container is not stained and torn. Substandard external qualities, seen to not change over more time than one repack, reflects on the rigger as well as the owner. (though what an owner allows to happen to his rig is still his own responsibility and issues found even the day after an inspection should be immediatly delt with) - my reputation and legal liability at large if that owner has any issues with the rig while "repacked" under my forged signature. Service bullitins uncompleted, annual strength tests nor performed (i.e. PD), rubberbands that have deteriorated, AAD batteries or systems that are out of date and any other issue that might arrise due to the length of time being in the rig. It could be argued that I would simply show my own logs that state that I had not packed the rig, but then I have already been brought into the issue (legally and publically). A friend of mine spent over $10k on legal fees for an issue in which the judge immediately dismissed him as it was clear he was not responsible, but then kept him on the stand for a long time as a witness. Finally its a matter of trust. You trust me to do quality work today that will save your ass at some random time during the next repack cycle. I trust you to do everything to protect the work I put into the inspection and repack. To report to me ANYTHING that you see that changes the reliability of the rig. By changing anything on that repack data card, you have broken that trust (and arguably broken the law). Its not simply about the gear; its about your life, my sanity and reputation, and about our mutual trust. (Its also not about the money... I figured out once that after all my time spent researching, learning, consulting, teaching, inspecting and packing, my hourly rate for rigging is about $5/hr. Recently it hasn't even kept up with my lift fees.) Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...