JackR

I knew a blind roofer, but this is the first I've heard about a blind packer. That is a great story. I always enjoyed when tandem students would watch us pack. They often would ask if you needed any special training to do that. I would usually answer, "I hope not." I'll have to remember to tell them of the blind packer. Thanks. While they are all interesting, I haven't taught many unusual students. I did have a gal stop by the drop zone. She had just moved to town with her family and wanted to help out. She was an Air Force rigger, but had done all cargo stuff with huge rounds. she had no personnel equipment experience or ram air experience. We mostly did tandems and didn't have a big AFF throughput. I decided that I would start her on tandem rigs since she would get the most work that way and would therefore be more likely to come back the next weekend. It worked and she did a great job with the tandem packing. She would stow the lines by holding the bag between her legs and drag the container (on carpet) towards her. I finally decided to show her the differences with the student gear so she could pack that as well. After packing student canopies for a few weekends she said, "I don't like packing student gear. I prefer packing the tandems. It just doesn't feel right having something that small between my legs." Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I just found FedEx Kinko's online printing services. Take any PDF file that you have on your computer and you can upload it to their site and order a hardcopy made. I just "printed" the latest version of the Sigma manual this way, but was able to add some features that would have been difficult to do on my own. (I did mash all the individual files together and it was still smaller than the V3 manual. I used Acrobat, but I'm pretty sure the FedEx website will do this for you.) First I got the coil binding. Unlike the cheaper comb binding, this allows me to open the manual and reverse it back on itself. With the coil binding I went big and had vinyl covers put on it (clear front, black back). $4 for the binding. About $1 for the covers. In other words, the income from a main pack job. Next I was able to add tabs to the manual. This way I can flip immediately to the reserve packing instructions, the SkyHook instructions, or the Main instructions without thinking. I don't have the invoice in front of me, but like $0.15 per tab. But they were printed all nice and were inserted in the right place during the binding process. I am fortunate to have a FedEx Kinko's on my way home from work, so I just picked up the finished product. If you don't, it is FedEx. For a few extra bucks, get FedEx ground to drop off your order. What's all this cost? For the Sigma manual (174 pages) in black and white, double-sided, 100% recycled paper, and all the features described: $20. No it isn't free, like the office copier, but I didn't have to do any of the assembly and walked away without guilt. I asked about FedEx delivery when I picked up my order. The guy said the website would estimate that in for you, but shipping from CO to MT would have been about $10. I know the manufacturers like their pretty color photos for people reading the manual online or for the official printed manual that aren't done on copiers, but for the rest of us, make sure the printouts translate into black and white. The same manual in color would have been over $100. For those of you without a copier at work and are tired of file folders of stray manual pages that you printed on your ink jet printer, this is a great option. Get the entire manual printed and bound in a rigger friendly format. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I agree tips help, but for me attitude goes a long way. Someone interested or concerned about their gear and my pack job. Of course it has to be respectful and not overbearing. I'm guessing that you won't have trouble getting a packer to pack for you, if they are available. I used to joke with clients who were looking for tricks to make their pack job easier. I said the best thing is to lay it on the mat, tuck a fiver in the reserve flap, and go log their jump. If they came back in 20 minutes or so, the rig would be packed and the five gone. The trick, as brought out here, is finding the right packer for you. Takes a little more work. And I recommend you reward the right packer with some extra $$ or beverage of choice. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Yes, I think these are issues that should be addressed. I agree that they aren't wrong, but shouldn't be used. As for QC, I think the update to Part 105 helps out. I know there was some consternation about that, but the responsibility for the pack job is on the supervising riggers. If you didn't know before, this thread has definitely pointed out that not all riggers are made the same. I used to supervise the packing at a DZ. I would either train or evaluate all new packers on the team. I was a packer with them so was able to be there to supervise as well as monitor the condition of the gear with them. From time to time I would re-evaluate their packing. It wasn't like a formal test, but I would sit back and watch their pack job. We would talk afterwards about different options. I also made sure that if I was concerned about the equipment or grounded equipment, that I showed them why I was concerned. I think the bottom line is responsibility. The supervising rigger has that responsibility. I also think that part of having a ticket is being a professional on the DZ and helping individual skydivers who are packing for themselves. If I see someone doing something questionable with their own equipment, I ask the question. They made understand the risks they are taking, but they may not as well. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

If you're getting the Type IIA from ParaGear, add a Control Toggle to the order. They are small wooden handles with a hole drilled in them. Build it the same as the Bic pen tool, but without the drill. I get the wire from Wal-Mart. Go to the craft section and they have craft wire at about 22 gauge, but are already cut for you. Optionally pick up some electrical tape. I wrap the tool handle with this to keep the wire from poking me too bad. If you win the lottery, grab an entire spool of Type IIA from ParaGear ($20). Enough for closing loops and pull up cords for you and your friends for a long time to come. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Land on your feet. (Sorry, that was the first thing I thought of when I saw the subject.) Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Glad everything worked out. I'd also like to say thanks to ZZM because that was a great set of instructions. (Particularly liked the part about not aiming at the cat, fish tank, etc.) I think this demonstrates how many riggers love what they do. One thing I'll offer my clients is that they can watch me repack their reserve. I remember before I ever saw a repack it all seemed like magic from behind the curtain. Just watching the first repack showed me a lot about how the whole system works. I've heard other riggers lament about how little some skydivers know about the equipment that they depend on to save their lives. This includes an interview that Bill Booth gave. To all, on your next repack ask your rigger if there would be enough time in their schedule to allow you to watch the repack. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I don't know that I've seen numbers or an objective evaluation of pull force on a throw out. I would agree that you could start within the reserve limits (5# min, 22# max). I also agree that you need to consider the location and angle of the BOC as not optimum, so inline force of 22# may be excessive for you. PC packing, as demonstrated by this thread, is a whole other can of worms. When I teach a new packer, I reiterate that there is one purpose for all the folds and rolls of a PC pack job. That is to be able to get the PC out of the pouch. Once you've got the PC out of the pouch, all those folds are gone. I tell them that there are probably as many ways to fold a PC as there are jumpers. Of course then I show them the PC pack that I use. The one I learned from a BASE jumper and I haven't had any problems with. (Can't describe it in words. I'll just have to show you some time.) I still watch other people fold there PCs and watch for a new technique. I have yet to be overly impressed with any given technique that I'll change mine. One technique for a tight pouch, before you put the PC in the pouch, give the bottom of the container a couple good pounds with a fist. This can give the container enough concave shape that there is room for the PC in the pouch. I also stand the packed container so that the weight is on the BOC as I close the riser covers (last step, not part of my putting the D-bag in the main pack tray). This helps flatten the packed PC in hopes that it slides out more easily. [Caution read the entire post before trying this.] The Spandex pouch will expand over time. Unless you feel it is dangerous for you to jump, I'm not sure I would speed up that stretching process. I have seen some packers use a packing paddle to assist with getting a PC in a tight pouch. After you have the PC folded into the final shape you want it in, set a packing paddle on the side that will touch the Spandex. Put the end of it even with the edge of the PC that will be deepest into the pouch. Holding them together as a single unit, feed both into the pouch. Then pull out the paddle. The paddle will help keep the PC from rubbing on the Spandex, which is working against you getting the PC in the pouch. It also provides some rigidity so you don't feel like you're pushing rope or stuffing it in there. Recognize that you helped get a PC in a place it didn't want to be. Do the practice pulls before jumping this technique. It is a lot easier to re-pack a PC than it is to repack a reserve after you have a total from a hard pull. And cheaper than the Cypres fire when you play with it for too long. Remember when you were learning to use a throw out? Your instructor had you do practice touches on the ground. Then they had you throw the PC. They repacked it and you did it again. They repacked it and you did it again. I see nothing wrong with pulling a PC out three times before a jump if you are going to use a packing paddle to assist with getting the PC in the pouch. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I don't like moving more than one size outside of the canopy size that the container was designed and built for. You start introducing strains and stress points that were not part of the original container design. The advice given to me when I was looking for my first rig was to look at used gear. I still think this holds true. You are just at the doorway to a wonderful sport with many, many opportunities. You're going to want the next hundred or so jumps to explore where to go with your skydiving career. There is a lot of good used gear out there to choose from. Now is a great time to be looking. There were some great innovations introduced at the beginning of the year at the PIA symposium, so the experienced jumpers are looking to upgrade. They will fund this upgrade by selling their slightly used equipment. Also it is spring time and many jumpers in the north are dusting off their gear and wanting something newer. Grab some quality used gear right now. At the end of the summer, you'll have a better idea about the different containers, different canopies, and different options. Then next year, you may be selling this to pay for the perfect rig for your jumping. I think you'll get a better return on your initial investment and you're less likely to downsize out of your second rig. Blue skies, and keep checking this forum for answers to all of your questions. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Let me start serious: Thanks Ian for the video link. Haven't seen that footage before. Back to the lighter side: Without getting too far off the thread line, let me tell you a funny DZ story. Back when I was a student, I made a few jumps at Skydive Colorado, which was at the Loveland-Fort Collins airport, but isn't in business any longer. I was waiting in the manifest area when the phone rang. The gal running manifest answered it. the conversation went something along the lines of "Who is this?" "Where are you?" "No you can't manifest until after you've landed." turns out one of the instructors had taken his cell phone (remember this was a number of years ago, before Razors and even flip phones) with him on the jump. After he got under canopy, he called manifest trying to get on the next load. I will never forget the confused look on the manifest girl's face because she was sure the guy on the other end of the call was in the air, which he was. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Entering this thread late, but (like everyone else) have no end of "advice" for getting gear. I tend to think that the longest delays in gear purchases is the container. You can get that order in and hold off on a canopy until you get home and can demo gear. I don't have as much experience with Wings, but I'm a big fan of Infinity, Javelin, and Vector containers. I've been a long time supporter of PD. Now the sales pitch aside, go to their website and click on the Support-Sport link. They have posted two articles on Choosing the Right Canopy. Read through these because they will discuss many of the aspects of canopy design beyond opening speed that go into making an informed canopy decision. Think about planform, wing loading, skydiving style (RW or Freeflying, competition or casual), load sizes (how many people do you normally share the air and landing area with?), DZ consistency (Do you always jump at the same DZ or do you move around with work or do you boogie hop?), experience landing out, and even the people you normally jump with. All of these will have some level of influence on your canopy decision. (I like including the aircraft and DZ because many people think buying a canopy is about them and the canopy. Remember that you're not skydiving in a vacuum. The other people on your load can drastically affect decisions you make at landing time. The tight experienced landing area quite a ways from the student landing area may mean you need to commit to the landing area higher up.) I just found Skydive Radio, a podcast by skydivers for skydivers. If you can access these episodes (http://www.skydiveradio.com) go through some of them. These guys interview some of the best canopy designers and pilots in the world. Every skydiver is different. The best canopy pilots out there don't agree on canopies, but they do agree that the canopy you choose should fit your style, skill, and goals in jumping. What is good for me, may not fit your style of jumping. Given that you're looking at a Smart 190, I'm guessing that you're thinking about a 190 or 170 size main. Talk with the container manufacturer. I usually figure you can go up or down one canopy size from the optimal design. So if you're thinking you may float between 170 and 210 in main size, get the container made for a 190. If you're thinking of floating between a 150 and 190, get a container made for a 170. Unless you're completely committed to custom brand new gear waiting for your homecoming, I would hold off on a canopy purchase until you get a chance to demo some gear. Contact the manufactures and see if they can send a demo canopy to you upon your return. That way you're not without a canopy. Rotate through some different canopies. If your army buddies are about the same size and skill level as you, have them get demos of other canopies. Share them around until you're ready to make a decision. Aside from the other value discussions, canopies hold their value well. You can get a good used canopy for the next 100 or so jumps and use that time to demo some gear and talk with friends, riggers, and manufacturers to find the canopy that fits you. I know I've only complicated what seems like a simple question. I wish you the best in finding the right gear for you. P.S. Thank you for your service in Iraq. Get home safely. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I agree again with these posts. Unlike many other complex technical systems, skydiving system manuals and technical information are available on the web. Download it and keep a copy. I will go one step further with the recommendation of keeping a copy in your gear bag. Print a second copy and leave it at the DZ. I was rigging for a small-medium size DZ and I had one of those plastic file folder boxes (available at Target, Wal-Mart, and most office supply stores) that I left at the DZ. I used hanging file folders to organize it, and left a copy of the owners manuals for all the DZ equipment and the popular sport equipment in this box. If there was ever a question about gear, we would grab the manual and look it up. Much more reliable than trying to remember these details. --- Interesting sidebar about skydiving use of the web. Most computer people will tell you that the birth of the World Wide Web was 1995 when Netscape went public. That is about the time it found its way into most American homes. However I still have my 1993 Parachutist announcing the opening of the USPA website. This was after the opening and widespread use of rec.skydiving, if you can remember that. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I was just looking over the Strong Dual Hawk Tandem manual (available at http://www.strongparachutes.com). There is a great sequence of photos showing the S-folds. Remember that you're working with a main canopy and the manufacturer's instructions take priority in your pack job. So ignore the other parts of this pack job. Just focus on the Reserve packing instructions, and only pages 12 and 13 covering the S-folds. The first S-fold is clean and places the trailing edge of the canopy at the edge of the first fold. The second S-fold comes all the way down to the first to define the edge of the canopy which will be at the mouth of the D-Bag. The first S-fold is slightly shorter than the depth of the D-bag, but only enough that the bulk of the canopy will fit to the bottom of the bag. There is excess canopy hanging off the end of the stack after the second S-fold. These are often call the ears of the pack job. By this point you're only dealing with fabric. All of the lines are contained and controlled in the stack. Cleanly tuck these ears back into the stack to form the edge of the stack that will set against the bottom of the bag. Do not tuck the bridle or bridle attachment back in there as they need to be firmly against the bottom of the bag. On deployment the tension that is pulling the bag off your back is here. You don't want that slipping along the canopy where it could do damage. I see a lot of pack jobs where the canopy slips and expands out the sides which make seeing these well defined folds harder. Sometimes this is too much downward force on the stack trying to control it. Another problem is pushing or stuffing the edges of the pack job while dressing it to the width of the D-bag. Of course the worse problem is dragging a steering line to the front of the canopy, so that becomes priority one. But after you can get just the top skin of the center cell to help you dress the canopy, make sure it is smooth all the way to the center of the parachute against the floor. This way you can hold the cocoon of the canopy with your thumb and fingers of the hand lifting it up to make the S-folds. Well I hope these photos and may additional ramblings also help with you're packing pursuits. Keep practicing and asking questions. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

First, thanks for asking for help. When I teach packing I'm more impressed with students that have the courage to ask the questions they don't understand. Proper Ram-Air Orientation (PRO) Packing is the way to go with your new Sabre2. Like you I was first taught to flat pack. There are lots of different flat packs, and I learned what is also called the stack pack. I learned to PRO pack because all the cool jumpers were doing it. Now that I have more packing experience, I better understand its advantages. As was mentioned it can be hard to learn the pack job from a book. However I must say that the drawings in the PD manual are the best PRO Pack drawings I've seen. Make sure you get a rigger or instructor to guide you through transitioning to the PRO Pack. They can demonstrate techniques that work for them. They can also give you feedback on your techniques. (Two things the book can't do.) Don't think that the PRO Pack is starting over from scratch. Your rigger or instructor should be able to show you how similar the PRO Pack is to your flat pack. I'm trying to think of some quick advice that I can share with you, without going into my full packing class. One key to transitioning from a flat pack to the PRO Pack is the point of view. Instead of looking at the pack job from the top skin, you're looking at the bottom skin. Also it isn't all laid out in front of you. It is more of a jumble at your knees. I will sometimes use a hook to hang the canopy from so packing students can walk around the parachute and get some perspective on what is where and how it looks. You're still stacking the lines on top of each other (B on A, C on B, and D on C), but now you're moving half of the canopy to the other side of the lines. The old adage of "Lines to the inside. Fabric to the outside." still holds true in the PRO Pack. Transitioning the pack job from vertical (in your hand or over your shoulder) to horizontal (laying on the ground) is key. I've seen many packjobs lost in this transition. All that flaking work is lost on a bad transition to the ground. Practice is the key here. Keep tension on the lines and make sure you have plenty of room in front of you. There is no shame in picking up a bad lay down and re-flaking. Be patient getting the air out of a ZP canopy. Remember that all the air still trapped in the canopy at this point must come out through all the individual stitch holes in the canopy. Trying to rush the air out will move the fabric out of the neat flaking that you put into it. As was mentioned earlier, Going from a dressed canopy with the air out of it to one in the bag and locked is a mental game. I've heard lots of techniques to getting there, but in the end the advice that has the best results for me is that you have to know you can bag it and bag it cleanly. Maintain control of the pack job through out this process and you'll get good results. Lose control and you're probably left with starting over. I have this mental 3-D picture of how the canopy should look as you're bagging it. Unfortunately I'm not an artist and haven't been able to get it down on paper where I could share it. It is a combination of the manuals I've read and the pack jobs I've done. The other trouble is that many skydivers find bagging a canopy more about luck than instruction. When watching this looks more like magic as a wad of fabric seems to fit in a seemingly too small D-bag. Part of my picture is being able to look at the side of the stacked canopy before bagging it. (I've never used the make the folds in the bag technique because by the time I saw it I didn't need it.) From that side view I can see each of the S-folds that went into the stack. That image is what I strive for on each pack job. The closest I come to achieving this is on my tandem packjobs. From PD 425s to Precision 365s, they stack up cleanly for me. If you can get a clean stack, putting the bag around the canopy and closing it just happens. If you struggle with the stack, you'll struggle with the bagging. And a lot of people don't realize that much of their trouble in closing the container is due to their trouble bagging the canopy. A poorly bagged canopy makes it harder to close the container. Well I've typed a lot here. Remember that opinions are like assholes; Everybody's got one. I hope there is something in here that helps you with your new Sabre2. I regret not being able to demonstrate some of my techniques with you. If you can't wait until September to jump, make a trip across the pond to Lost Prairie, MT and maybe I can show you a trick or two. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I'd be careful making too many generalizations. I've been to a number of DZs where to an outsider or even some of the newer experienced jumpers it appears that the attitude towards packing is lacking. In fact they are very safety conscious. I say that people won't believe the "Don't judge a book by its cover" advice until they experience it. My experience was with a packer. I met him on a DZ and didn't think much about it. He didn't look like other packers or riggers that I knew. About a year later I was working on a packing mat at Quincy (World Freefall Convention). he was also working that mat. Turned out he knew more about rigging than most of the riggers I knew at the time. I learned a lot from that experience. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I'll keep this short because it probably has already been addressed. I just remember that at the 2003 PIA Convention, Bill Booth presented a lecture about slippage issues and the research that RWS had done. As I recall it was focused on stainless steel friction adapters and the teeth per inch of the slider. He also discussed the testing performed on various Flip-Flop adapters as well. The slides from the lecture are available on the RWS website. Visit http://www.relativeworkshop.com/tanpia_pia.html Then select the "Its the LITTLE THINGS that count" link. Lots of pictures, but only some of the information. Much of the information was presented by Bill Booth. Also this was about much more than jsut slippage. You'l see it addresses some other issues that were topics of discussion at that time. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

(Can't resist getting my $0.02 in.) I think Beezy provided the best explaination here about where the guidance for stowing the toggles inboard came from. If you've ever seen one of these older rigs in person, you'll appreciate just how important it was to stow the toggles inboard. I used to repack a Sweethog for a client until I even was too scared of it. I recommended belly to earth flying from the first time I saw it. He insisted on sit flying and head down flying. It was really scary. I double checked the Flexon manual and it does say to stow the toggles outboard. I don't have a Flexon handy in the loft right now, but I believe the riser routing is different from other rigs. I believe there was also a version of the Racer which also rolled the risers in such a way that the toggles were outboard. Other than these two rigs, I am not aware of another rig which pack with the toggles out. As you have already done, I also double checked the Eclipse packing manual (page 17, spte 9): Manufacturer votes IN. Yes, we all expect the master rigger to know what they are talking about. Unfortunately not all riggers are made alike. Listen to what people tell you. Ask for explanations. Don't settle for "'Cause I said so." Look it up. Ask questions of others at the DZ. Continue to post questions to this forum. You can even ask questions of the manufacturers. If you don't have phone numbers, double check the PIA.com Yellow Pages. The manufacturer would rather answer your question today than fill out the incident report tomorrow. Blue Skies. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I've gotten a number of thanks from readers who have found this calendar useful. I'm glad I could help. I just got a note from a pilot and it reminded me that there are many parachute users and owners who do not regularly check this forum. Please forward the posted copies of this calendar or printed copies of this calendar who may benefit from it. You may also contact your FBO or FAA representative to see if you can post a copy in the pilot lounge. If you're airport has a number of aerobatic or experimentat pilots. They may not be aware of when their repacks will come due. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Thanks for the encouragement. The calendar can also help you verify that you'll be in date for your favorite boogie. The Outlook reminders sound like a great idea. Another, low-tech option is to get some tiny red dot stickers from an office supply store. I use Avery 05790. I put the sticker on the outside of the Cypres control unit pocket right over the button. Then I write the repack due date on the sticker, like 12/26. Now every time you turn on your Cypres, you're reminded when your next repack is due. If it comes due before next weekend, you can just leave it with the rigger on Sunday and they can probably have it ready for you first thing next Saturday. This has really helped some of my clients who used to lose track of their repack dates only to get grounded by the DZ. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Or you could just ask me to fix the file. The calendar prints fine with the 180 day cycle, despite the #### displayed on the screen. I'm hurt that skydivers don't respect my intellectual property any more than this. Next time I'll just keep my tools to myself. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

My experience with Psycho Packing resulted in a lot of bulk in the center of the pack job and less towards the outsides. This resulted in difficult to close containers. I usually get more even fabric distribution using a more traidtional PRO Pack. There may be some recommendations out there to reduce this problem, but recognize that the Psycho Pack may take some practice as with other packing methods. The thing that helped me the most as I was getting more comfortable with packing was spending a couple months working with professional packers and picking up their tips and techniques while I practiced to find which techniques worked for me. If you frequent boogies, like Rantoul and Richmond Revisited, watch lots of different pack jobs, and ask questions. While busy packers may not have time to entertain these questions during the day, they are likely to go on at length about packing opinions after that last pack job. PM me if you have more questions. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

David, Some great advice has already been posted here. Good packing does not depend on being tall. Practice is needed. To me the biggest hurtle to get through when learning to pack is one that I've seen few people teach. That is the mental aspect of packing. Just like visualizing helps with your skydiving, it helps with your packing. You need to know that you can pack and pack a brand new canopy. Taking control of your pack job and staying in control of your pack job will have a greater affect than hooks and getting taller. Many other people who have trouble transitioning from over their shoulder to on the ground in their PRO pack were incorrectly shown to flop the canopy down. Often this is compounded by watching experienced professional packers accomplish this maneuver. What you don't see is that this is setting the canopy horizontal on the ground. This is actually more gentle and more tricky than it looks. A proper set down to the ground will do more to control your flaking than rolling the tail tightly. Finally review the main packing instructions provided by Performance Designs. As described by the manual and demonstrated by PD Tour personnel, you do not need to sling the canopy over your shoulder to achieve a quality PRO Pack. It is acceptable to allow the canopy to rest some on the ground as you flake out the fabric. Check out the PD website and as always continue to ask questions about your gear and your safety. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

Unfortunately ParaGear no longer offers the Tie-Down Hooks that they once carried. I have looked high and low and have yet to find a hook equal to the task in hook packing. Yes, I admit that hook packing can generate a dependency on the hook which is hard to overcome. I never teach packing using a hook to alleviate the problems identified in this thread. However I have been able to reduce my own fatigue and provide more consistent packing throughout the day when I do use a hook. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I suspect everyone has created their own repack calendars by now. If you haven't, please try the attached Microsoft Excel file. When you open the file, enter the current year and the days in your local repack cycle in the available cells. The chart will update with the repack due dates for the year. This can be printed and kept at manifest, with rental gear, or near your gear check station as a handy quick reference for determining repack dates. (This is mainly for those of us bad at math and can't add 4 to the month.) It can also be kept in the loft to annotate your repack invoices with the next due date. The variable repack cycle should allow international repack cycles as well. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm

I would expect that you could be qualified to pack in a couple hours. We used to do packing classes when the weather was bad and everyone was waiting for a break in the clouds or the wind. As already mentioned, it takes practice to be good. Just like with skydiving, there is a proficiency to packing. The more you do it, the more you read, and most importantly, the more you ask questions, the better you will become. Good luck, and keep reading this forum. Packin' Jack 42nd Lost Prairie: The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Skydiving 25 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 2007 photos: http://www.skydive.com/prairie/pages/prairie.htm