fcajump

Terry has address the legal side of the FAA in the US. As to how US rigger feel about it, I would say that I would be pi$$ed off to find out that this happened under my seal... Locally most riggers seem to believe in not tampering with someone else's pack job enough that they will not even tighten a Reflex loop unless they either were the one who packed it, or they have a specific agreement with the rigger who did. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

While I don't specifically charge differently between sport rigs, I do charge differently between sport and pilot rigs. And as a part time rigger I have as much work as I want and charge what the market will bear. I have no problem with those who charge what they want for their work. (In this area we have no shortage of riggers "next door") They learned the skill and will either charge correctly or loose business. Simple as that. I do have a problem with riggers that undercut the market either because they don't place value in their own time, or because they are cheap for cheap work. But I also see this as MY problem as long as the other guy's work is not specifically unsafe (just might not be something I would put my seal on...) WARNING - THE FOLLOWING IS A JOKE: There is no need to worry about a tight packjob, if you have a customer that buys mis-matched gear, just trim off anything that doesn't fit... THE PRECEDING WAS A (weak) ATTEMPT AT HUMOR. We now return you to your regularly scheduled endless and unresolvable debate. JW PS - learned just to work on my own gear. When asked, I set my prices high. Consequently I have more work than I have time for... time to raise my prices I guess. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Dont ever pack anything that you are not comfortable doing. However, I found that after working with roundsfor a while is that I actually prefer packing them to ram-air. I have seen one in the air... (see photo of me under one - attached)

As one who has landed a (skydiving) reserve, what catches my attention is how nice it is to already know that someone has seen the reserve out and to be able to talk with the searchers before you are even down. Thinking I have other reasons to use them, any paraglider folks that know what type radios they use, please catch me w/ PM. Glad to hear that he (seems to be) OK after his final landing. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

An even more morbid one showed up on E-Bay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=310&item=7142040968&rd=1 Can't say they aren't open about their listing, but I was wondering if anyone else knows anything about it... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am also a part-time rigger, which has several advantages. Most of my customers are pilots, and a pilot rig takes me ~1.5-2 hours. Most of that time is inspection, the rest is packing. A sport rig (without main) will take me about the same, but I am more likely to not be happy with little things like new closing loop lengths or bulk distribution. Redoing anything I don't like adds to that. (As I say I am quicker and more familiar with the quirks of the pilot rigs.) As to sewing and other minor repairs, I do some that I am comfortable with, but am also quick to call the mfg or a local master and/or DPRE. If you are not already, get yourself registered with the PIA rigger forum. (see www.pia.com) Not as quick a reply to items as here, but replies are screened and from trusted sources. I take my rigging reserves like I did (do) packing my main. I was usually the slowest packing when I was a new jumper, but it WORKED, and that to me is much more important than the time taken. With reserves, how much more important. Add a main inspection and you add ~30 minutes or more. Hope you enjoy what you do ('cus the pay ain't worth the time ) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am familiar with the Strong rigs from the 90's and later. Saw one on E-bay with an interesting difference... see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=310&item=7141387389&rd=1 or attached photo (borrowed from ad without permission) Was it normal to sew the closing loop to the cap? Or am I seeing things? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am looking for someone experienced in working with a Delta II (regallo wing, not a ram-air). Having pealed the line reenforsing off (can you say duck-tape?) I am thinking of relining it... Basic questions: I know the original lines are 1k-lb multi-core lines, but was the 1k necessary or overkill? I have it in white and will use it if/as necessary, but want to keep the original color and can only find it in 550. Does anyone have an original manual for the Delta II? (Looking for original line lengths) Thanks, JW Sr Rigger Jr Parachute Historian Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Ramon, Hope the attached helps get you started. (it is in MS Excel) It is overkill for what you asked, but it has: Sport System checklist Pilot System checklist Tandem checklist Equipment Inventory lists You will notice that at the end of each checklist there is a tool list of what I carry with me when working. You should tweak it and make it your own. Some of my notes may not be appropriate for you (especially in the tool inventory). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. If you (or anyone else) sees something I am missing, feedback is welcome. Jim Wine Sr Rigger since 1999 - back/seat/chest Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I used to think the prices were high until I watched my rigger. Then I started tipping him as I thought he was charging too little. Now as a rigger in the Washington DC area I charge $50 for sport rigs and $50-$75 for pilot rigs. I will do some "extras" as needed, and charge for others. However consider some things: I spent a few thousand to get my training. I spent about a thousand to get my sewing machines and other equipment. I am expected to have all necessary parts and stuff on hand at any time (even obscure items for orphaned canopies on a Friday night). (some of my customers "want well".) I travel every other year to PIA to keep up with current training. When faced with a rig issue for which I am unsure, I travel to one of two "local" experts (only 2-6 hours on the road) to get a second opinion and/or help. I spend 1/2-1 hour with each customer the first time to ensure that they know how to pre-flight, don, and deploy their rig. And then review it at any time. I spend ~2-3 hours doing a first-time inspection and 1 hour (min) when I get rigs back. The HOURLY rate for this work ranges between ~$3-20 depending on what the job takes. (I take the safety of your life seriously.) If the guy is trying to live off his rigging, expect that his HOURLY rate will have to be higher (they will make that happen one way or another) and will very much have to do with the local cost of living, and will definately relate to supply and demand. If/when the repack cycle goes up, expect to see rates go up as well. Is it going to take any more work, no... simply that I expect riggers to use it as a reason to bring the cost of their work more in line with the value of their work. If you get to know your rigger, trust his work (after seeing what he does and how he does it), and value your life then the cost should be a non issue. If he is gouging you for the work you see, then that plays into the trust issue. Once I saw my riggers work, I decided that it was worth more than what he was charging. Just my $.05 (long winded 2 cents worth) J Wine Sr Rigger - back/seat/chest Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

In a world of ZP, swoops, and high speed canopies, the PD-9 cell is a sedan. This canopy will not win swoop contests (though it may have when it was first brought out), but it will consistently get open, get you where you are going, and set you down softly. I loaded my PD-260 ~1:1 in keeping with my experience when I bought it (~30 jumps, in 1991). As a casual, conservative jumper, I enjoyed flying it ~400 jumps before getting a Spectre. I am now passing it on to a friend who is just off student status, and I have every confidence that she will find it just as reliable and predictable as I did. Flight behavior is consistent from full flight to pre-stall. As a 9 cell, its stall buffet tends to be a side-to-side buffet before it starts deflating. Break turns are smooth and without allot of swing, full flight turns are more brisk and swing a bit. Flares are smooth and predictable. Loaded conservatively, this canopy is very forgiving. As with most other F-111, very easy to pack (flat or pro). Blue Skies, Jim

For a conservative jumper the Spectre was a great choice. Loading ~1.2 My experience: 900+, mostly on large 7/9 cell F-111. Spectre Jumps: ~150 Full flight performs well, though certainly not the fastest thing on the DZ. Turns from full flight are crisp and responsive. Slow flight, stable and steady with a wide range before stall. From slow flight to stall gives allot of warning before it fully stalls. Deep break turns are smooth and without much (any) swing. Can land in deep breaks or from full speed. Flare is predictable and smooth. Fun canopy that can swoop, or sink... your choice. Jim

A friend of mine recently got a Parafoil 252, and we both put some jumps on it. As a vertical accuracy canopy it performed GREAT... As a canopy being opened at terminal, it was ranging from brisk to unreasonably hard. Configuration: 30" zp pilot chute stock split slider break lines daisy-chained to set point (also tried letting them out ~1") Opened better when we tucked the outside cells into the center cell, then tight wrapped the nose 2 turns, but not enough. Recommendations? Anyone have experience with the optional "d" ring slider with sail? Thanks, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Demo Details: search www.paragear.com for Item: B1994 If you are going to do demo's, it is the best investment you can make. Several ways to display a flag that size. Most of us use a belly or seat bag of some ilk and suspend a weight at the bottom. Be VERY careful with suspended flags in that if they drag across something, you could have a bad day. Additionally, landing that way without good ground crew to catch the flag is a bad way to end your hard worked demo. Flight Concepts, The Golden Knights, and Ed Cummings have each worked up systems to put the flag in the rigging. Makes things allot simpler after deployment. see sample photo at: http://www.cummingsrigging.com/Page_1x.html Strongly recommend that you get with someone in your area with experience (if possible). If your in the DC area, drop me a line and I would be willing to show you what works for me. Blue Ones, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Depends allot on your experience, size flag you jump, and how you have it rigged (in the lines, between risers and body, suspended from the canopy, or suspended from you...). I jump several different flags, and fly a Spector 230 and it works great... But that means nothing until you also consider that I exit at >260lbs, my largest flag is ~100+ ft^2, have 900+ jumps, 200+ demos, and generally I am going into a Level 1 landing area. For this combination, the Spector 230 is a great canopy for any conditions I would jump in. It sinks great, but can get back from a long spot. It also allows me the flexability to carry the additional weight (flag and suspension weight.) If you are just starting out, I would point you to the book "Demo Details". Overall great resource, and has a very informative section on flags. (Including the notion that big flags are great, but often bigger is not better.) I have been to a demo of >25000 people where a 4x6 US flag was clearly visible, and the 8x12 worked great. While I also want to get to fly larger, I would suggest working up to the big ones. There are many hazards along the way, better learned on smaller ones. Last thought: you are however, on the right thought to look for a canopy to match your use. I've seen a zippy, highly loaded canopy that was noticibly impacted by the drag off a 3'x5' flag. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Helpful Rigging Tip From Handsome Dave's class: "long left - lift to loosen" Translation for the slower folks: Hold the Rapide link with the barrel toward you with the slightly longer link end to your left, place the box-end wrench on the barrel and lift the near end of the wrench to loosen the link. J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...