masterrig

That's one way to see where you've been! Chuck

I've seen one or two 'purposely' hook-up their main backward... just to see what it was like. They both stood it up. This was a few yrs. ago and they both jumped Sabre-170's. Chuck

Personally, I find Racers 'interesting' to pack and a bit of a challenge. I don't feel as though they are so hard to pack, in that, you just have to 'pay attention' to what you are doing.... like anything else. I attended one of the Racer Seminars a few years ago and that was a 'big' help. Also, in the Cypres Packer's Checklist, there are some very helpful hints for packing Racers with Cypres. You might contact SSK-Industries for a copy. I've never used the 'mechanical 'T'-bars. I watched a guy throw one out the hangar door, because it broke on him, while packing a Racer. The Racer instructions are vague in areas. I don't charge any mor for packing Racers. When I'm packing a Racer, I found turning off the phone, lock the door and turn-up the tunes! Hope this helps. Chuck

What you said! I agree, keep all gear out of the sun. It'll see enough sunlight and nasty UV-rays when it's jumped. When neon colors first came-out, they faded with just a little exposure to the sun. The colors have since improved, but they will still fade. Also, that sun not only fades, it 'eats-up' Nylon and weakens it. Chuck

Thanks, Rob! Really interesting, what you said. I appreciate your in-put. After a streamer, I can fully understand, dis-continuing the practice. It's all a 'learning curve'. Chuck

I would have to agree with you, about the 2-loops and 'possible' container locks. Some of the material I've seen some folks use for closing loops. I've seen 'main' loops made out of shoe lace! Try two of those through your grommet! The double ended loop is a great idea. Chuck

I choose not to pack hybrid reserves! Got it! Chuck

That's right! I had forgotten about the Para-Flites. Thanks! Chuck

They are Vise-Grips with large jaws and thick 1" square rubber pads epoxied to the clamps. I was given a set, but, have seen them in Para-Gear and Parachute Equipment has them. they are a little 'pricey', but, they work well. Chuck

WOW! After that, I hope I never have to pack one! Also, have you seen George Galloway? That guy is BIG!!! Seriously though, I can't understand anyone wanting a 'Hi-bred' reserve. The problems I have seen folks have with their ZP mains, and as the man mentioned in this thread, a line burn, could look like a wrinkle. I guess, If I had to I&R one, I'd take your advice and charge extra. I think, F-111 reserves are just fine. Chuck

On some parachutes, back then, the openings were really 'slammers'. So, to slow-down the opening, some jumpers would take some of the leading or trailing edge of the slider and put it in a rubber-band attached to either an A or B line at the attachment point of the line. The idea was, it would give 'hesitation' to the slider, enough to get the slider inflated first thus, slowing the opening. One of our folks was doing that recently with a 21-cell he had. He claimed, it worked. Chuck

Try giving PD, Precision or Icarus a call or an e-mail. I'll bet they will be able to tell you what you want to know. Chuck

I certainly do, understand your frustration! I think, your, as you put it 'potty' language points that out. We have a Master Rigger/DPRE in our area very similar to what you have described. This guy, has been around 'forever'. When I first got my Senior Cert., he 'invited' me to work with him. Being a newbie and 'ignorant' of a lot of things, I thought this was a good deal. I really didn't know him that well and had never seen his work. I later, witnessed some pretty scarry work done by him! Leg-strap repairs done with 'FF' thread, for example. His packing manuals consisted of some 'old' pilot rigs and etc. I watched him pack a Vector-II, using Vector-I instructions. He'd find 'little' mistakes done by other riggers and not get with the rigger involved. He'd write a letter to the FAA. I asked him about it and he said that "As long as the 'Feds' are looking at someone else, they aren't looking at me!" A very arrogant person. If, anyone questioned him, his response was; "I'm a F****** Master Rigger!" I didn't stay around him too long. I could go on and on. 'Newbies', can be put in some 'awkward' positions, sometimes. Asking questions of experinced people can help. Sure, you have to be careful, who you ask questions of, when you are new. You have to kinda' 'feel it out'. I think, this forum is a good way of learning. You get a lot of in-put that you can sort-out and use to your benefit and/or situation. Good luck to you! Chuck

I wouldn't consider dying the container. I have to agree with Councilman... live with it or find something else. Look at it this way... it takes a manly man to jump those colors! Chuck

I've seen ads for prescription goggles in Parachutist and Skydiving magazines. Our DZ owner wears them. I'll get in contact with him and get back with you. Chuck

I've packed a few Amigo reserves and know of one person I packed for, who had a to use it. She said the opening was not bad and set her down nicely. As Skybytch stated, they have no stabalizers and are a little 'different' to pack. Nothing 'scarry' about packing them, just have to watch your business... like any other reserve. Chuck

I do a lot of work for pilots and sailplane pilots as well as skydivers. So, I felt, that seats would be the best route toward being a master rigger. Thanks for the kind words. Chuck

Ya' gotta watch them Canadian Riggers! They'll getcha! They sure help to keep things from gettin' too serious. Besides that, they're pretty informative... when they're not pullin' our collective legs! Here's to ya' Rob! Chuck

The rigger I worked with, for my Senior 'ticket' had me fill-out the packing card, listing work done SB's(when required) etc., but, he signed it. I would say, in the situation you described, if it were me, I'd show that the SB had been complied with but, I wouldn't sign my name next to it or list my seal symbol by it. I would only sign for the work I actually did, including SB compliance. I agree also with what was said in this thread about keeping all previous packing data cards together. This, shows a history of the parachute. There was a time, when this was 'requested' on the packing data card. For what it's worth. Chuck Chuck

Thanks, Sparky! You make it sound so easy! Most of what I get with cones, are seats. Not rated for chests. I've thought about going back and getting that rating, but... at my age!? 100 of the same type! Sheesh! I'd have to start pilates or something! Thanks, again! Chuck

Well said, Sparkey! I believe, it was the military, who worked on the idea of two pilot chutes and it didn't work! As I recall, there is a statement in the owner's manual for the Reflex that states the secondary pilot chute may be removed. I have had discussions about this with Reflex owners and wound-up removing them... at their request. I've never had 'formal' training in regard to closing cones... I toughed it out!. Just outa curiosity and also, I'm low on blood-pressure med. how do you handle them??? Thanks a bunch! Chuck P.S. Glad to hear you're not going anywhere!

You might contact your nearest FSDO in your area. They should be able to help you. Yuo'll need a letter from your C.O. Chuck

Naw! Serious... 2-box-tops and 50cents! We use 'em on our bulls at the ranch! Chuck P.S. Good job... Rob!

I've seen the whistles that folks put on the bumpers of their pick-ups to warn deer. Seriously, I hadn't heard of them. Sounds like a heckuvan idea. I'll have to mention it to the folks at our DZ. Good tip! Chuck

I was told the story of the phone-booth and the hard-routings when i was working on my masters. Every time I I&R a harness-container & reserve, I gotta chuckle. A few years ago, one of our jumpers borrowed a Javelin, with soft routings. He later said that he had to 'jerk' real hard about 3 - 4 times to get the malfunctioned main to release and get his reserve out. I later, hooked-up the main and had him put the rig on and pull the release handle. We could see the Type-4 routing material 'bunch-up' around the cable. The owner of the rig, asked me to please, change them out. Chuck