Derekbox

ok duh... I skipped the banter and missed that.... Standards??? What are those...

didnt you just get married? ;)

If it is noted on the PDC that the cypress expires on such and such date, then that is legal notification for no matter who is using the rig, and if it isn’t your rig, ensuring it is in date is the user’s responsibility, which is done by checking the data card. As for the aircraft analogy, here is some clarification, unless it is a gross safety issue, aircraft are not grounded. If we note a squawk, (ELT battery expired for example), we will inform the customer that covers our responsibility. Further more, checking the ELT battery is not our responsibility unless we *have* to check it (under a phase inspection or annual for example). To make things even better, if the battery expires tomorrow, and we sign the aircraft off today, it was legal when it left. That covers our responsibility, it is up to the customer to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, we just do the work. Of course it is prudent of the customer to change the battery, but it is his responsibility to do so, not the mechanics. On the other side, if we noted it was expired, and did not tell him, we would have to bare the responsibility for that. So to parallel with rigging, if it leaves your hands legal and airworthy, maintaining the airworthiness status is the responsibility of the owner/operator. If I do an annual inspection, I don’t ground the airplane a year later when it doesn’t come back - not my responsibility. ;) Derek

Well to argue with the manufacturer probably isnt going to get me anywhere.... but... I can see where it is illegal to use the cypress once expired, but I do not see how it would be illegal to jump the rig. Either way, it is a grey area, and could see how it might be linked some how, but right now I dont see the connection.... Funny you mentioned the link to airmen, I am an airman, not a rigger (yet), but an aircraft mechanic (A&P), I wade through this bureaucracy daily. ;) Derek

My intpretation is that it is not illegal to jump the rig after the batteries expire or the cypress expires for that matter, it is only illegal to use it as "a life saving device" (turning it on), or to repack it while expired. If you wish to have the cypress removed, that is your call, but as I see it, (and as I have and will practice) until otherwise informed (with evidence), you can use the rig, it is not groundable, it is not illegal. I currently am not using a cypress because the batteries pooped, and it happens to be due for a 4 year... so I feel your pain. To jump without a cypress is a personal decision. Choose carefully, but for the right reasons. If your afraid to jump without a cypress though, you need to reevaluate the risks we take and then your involvement in skydiving. Think about it... Derek

FAR 105.43 (c) If installed, the automatic activation device must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions for that automatic activation device So the FAA delegates the maintenence of the Cypress ADD to Airtec. From the SSK website, riggers checklist (edited for brievity): 3) Check that it has not been more than four years + max. 3 months from the date of manufacture or last factory maintenance. Refer to the date(s) on the label(s) on the Processing Unit. 4) The battery must be replaced after two years or 500 jumps or if the low battery error code is encountered during self-test whatever comes first. 5) A CYPRES 1 must only be installed as a life saving device when the points 2-4 are fulfilled and the unit is not older than 12 years and 3 months. That is what the rigger is responsible for (nothing more, nothing less) per Airtec. So, again, per AIRTEC, if the battery is less than 2 years old, passes the boot check, has less than 500 jumps on the battery, it has been less than 4 years and 3 months since factory maintenance and the unit is less than 12 years and 3 months old IT IS LEGAL TO PACK. A unit that has expired batteries or is expired is NOT LEGAL TO BE PACKED (as a life saving device ). But a unit meeting AIRTECs criteria for airworthiness, even though it will expire mid pack cycle IS LEGAL TO PACK. Since NO WHERE does it say you have to remove it from the rig when it expires, I would argue that it is ok installed in the container. But is not legal to be used, (turned on/armed) after it expires. But turning it on is the responsibility of the owner/user, and not the rigger. So if it was legal per Airtec when the rigger packed it, the rigger has no liability (well no liability for the legality of unit to be installed) for that cypress once it leaves his hands. Now it would NOT be LEGAL to REPACK until Airtecs critera were satisfied. So in conclusion, we paid for the damn thing, we are entitled to use it to even though it will not make it to the next repack cycle (because it wont). Besides, if the OWNER decided to use the unit after the batteries expired, and had a cypress fire, wouldnt you be glad you left it in the container? He saved his life by breaking the law - how awesome is that. Derek

Nah... that wasnt a RWS product anyways, and that was released a while ago too, I think, Im pretty sure I saw ads for it in the mags...

RWS wont be releasing another manufacturers rig with a skyhook... The other manufacturer would release that, RWS would only release the news of the licensing, but that has already been done. Although they will be making some licensing $$$ of it, I doubt they would also call it an exciting release either. I have an idea what it is.... I have heard about it from the "Booth" a while ago and saw a rig with it (an RWS rig) a couple weekends ago. Although it has been long in the making - I asked about it, I think more than a year ago and was told "shortly". ;) But what fun would it be for me to let the cat out of the bag....

A little band from the middle of no where called S.O.A.D. Or anything by the group Penn & Teller.

gum is dangerous... i chew on rubber bands... you can find old ones all over the packing floor. yum

Funny you mention the Falcon, friend JUST dropped off her rig for me to get it repacked today. It has a falcon. ;)

Normally, leading up to the storm, the weather is great.... the problem is all you weenies have "shit to do" to prepare for the storm.... like 7-11 is going to be blown away or something... ;)

Wet Lines, Wet reserves, wet lines and reserve... test it all.

A slight tangent here... but your 21 with no dependents.... why do you need life insurance?

Has anyone thought to maybe do some real tests with a 3 canopy rig, and soaked lines....

As much as I want to - I cant trust my main to do its job everytime. ;) Its all relative. I have a "Jack the ripper" I use it on Crw jobs, I carry it for fun jumps. I use a spare on the ground all the time to do misc jobs (I have several). Just dont buy one of the flimsy plastic ones, because IF you need it, there is a good chance itll break in use. The one time I could have used a hook knife - didnt have it on me. I ended up using my reserve instead, worked out ok (obviously), had I used the hookknife (one line wrapped around all 4 risers, pinching the slider 1/2 up), I wouldve been happy to land the main and not risk the cutaway/reserve. If I go, Im going to go fighting.... knife fighting if need be. ;)

Think maybe you are just living outside your means if your streching this far to try to pay for a habit? A real skydiver would learn to pack - faster ;)

What no shout outs to the nice ppl you met, who although they didnt, tried and intented to jump with you.... ;) Maybe next time. ;)

Any chance of reviving some of these shirts... Id buy a few in a heartbeat.... "...Screw a Skydiver" and "...split the gear" ;)

Its no big deal, for fun, I popped a toggle on my new canopy (eliptical and loaded) to see what kind of dive Id get it was fast, but nothing uncontrollable, just pop the other break and finish getting the slider down.... Sometimes if Im downwind on a long spot, Ill pop the breaks as soon as I open and then work the slider over.... just keep aware of other traffic

I wasnt playing pilot... I was playing pilot PA system. I was just broadcasting what he was saying in much louder volume. ;) Much louder... I wanted out... But we all made it back... youd be surprised the ground you can cover when you open at 14k.

The spot was off and there was a lot of air traffic - Katie was being a little to safe for my style... had to kick her out the door. Did I geek you under canopy Katie?

I about had to push her out the friggin door. ;) It was so worth it wasnt it... ;)

They made out after the tricks... but Ill go for that too... Im sure they could also come up with some other entertaining tricks too...

Hows about that chick who did the arieal acrobatics on the rope... and her friend.... I want them back... did anyone else catch them making out.... Great times...