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I have been psycho paking my Hornet and decieded that if I'm going to keep packing this way I need to go ahead and have a bridle extension put on. So I asked a rigger today if he could put a bridle extension on my Hornet 150, and he said sure how much do you want? I said well, I don't know. How much can you put? He said anywhere from a few inches to a few feet. Now that confused the hell out of me. So ok you psycho packers How much bridle extension should I have put on. I was thinking in the 4-6 in. range, but I'm really not sure. What's the norm? Any Idea's?

Hey Jonno comon back, were still jumpin. Although the weather has not cooperated. Its supposed to rain tomorrow but its going to be nice Sunday. The Twin Bo was down cause it failed the 100 hour, Needed new exhaust I think its back up now but I'm not sure. Anyway pretty much the same crowd. See ya

Well, Steve the problem is no one has ever determined what the best is. If someone would take all the reserves put them through an independent test that would come close. But then again by your own words. Which I agree witth so even an independent test might not show who really makes the best. All the manufactures think they have the best. If you talk with 10 different riggers from 10 different states you will most definetly get different answers. So how do you determine what the best is?

Well, I know there is a service bulletin out so I guess on the next repack I'll get mine done (manufactured 97) but I can say this. Not speaking from what I saw someone do, or heard someone say, but speaking from my own experience. I had a reserve ride on my Dash M in September. It opened nice, very soft on heading, it flew just fine and I did a gentle stand up landing right next to pea pit. So I have no issue at all buying another one.

Well, did anyone make jumps on New Years eve to bring in the New Year? We were rained out here, but I haven't read a single post about bringing in the new year in freefall or under canopy. So how about it, did any one make a new years jump?

From the January issue of Skydiving Precision Aerodynamics was preparing to issue a service bulletin in mid December that will require the structural reinforcement of hundreds of its early Raven Dash M reserve canopies. The action is a result of a November incident in which several lines of a Raven M reserve pulled off the canopy during deployment. Although the jumper wasn't hurt subsequent factory inspection of his canopy convinced Precision president George Galloway that some line attachment points should be strengthened on some canopies. As Galloway explained it the mandatory service bullentin will apply only to first generaton Raven M reserves, specifically those that use 3/4 inch type 3 attachment poiints that are sewn to the canopy with a single 42 stitch bartack. The canopies were built in 1997 through 1999. Subsequent versions of the Raven M used other attachment methods, such as two bartacks and a different type of tape. In the November incident, several line attachment points pulled free of the canopy, leaving the bartacks behind. The company is compiling a list of serial numbers of affected canopies. Galloway believes perhaps 1500 to 1800 canopies will need to be reworked. The modification involves adding another bartack above the existing bartack on the line attachment points for the A and B lines a total of 16 bartacts. Any rigger with the right sewing machine can do it. Galloway said early Raven-M's have been deployed successfully many hundreds of times in the field, so their integrity is proven. He said the bulletin would require modification at the next routine repack and not before further flight. The same canopy is also used on some of the company's P-124 aircrew emergency parachutes. He said the bulletin would be widely circulated when it is issued and it will be available at the company's website.

WOW Merrick that really bites. I'd like to say it shocks me they would do that, especially right before Christmas. But hey its not the first time. Of course this really strikes close to home for me. I hope you guys find something, somewhere that will fulfill your lives. Good luck!

Ok lets play this one out for just a moment. 200 lb guy under a Triathlon 210 Vs a 200 lb guy under a stiletto 120 which creates less drag? Wing loading and drag go hand in hand eh!

In answer to the first question, (No not at all) I think that's what this is all about inexperienced asking advice from the experienced. What could be better?

Try typing in the search field cleaning container. There is some great information in that thread. I'm not sure how to put the link in this thread or I would. But I think all your questions will be answered if you do the search.

Yea Steve It was great to get back, I'm really amazed at how much the gear has changed. All for the better of course. I'm also amazed at how good these guys are. When I was jumping in the 70's a four way round was about it. I didn't even know what turning points was. The FF, RW and canopy skills are all so much better. Well the FF would have to be if you were in those positions before you were unstable, it wasn't done intentionally. I've just had a blast trying to absorb it all. The boogies are still the same, maybe a little wilder (maybe) but still the same. Also there sure are a lot more ladies on the DZ now. So all in all some great changes. I know what you mean on the rip cord I looked for it the first few jumps to. Kinda weird having it at the BOC instead of on the chest. But once I got used to it I really like the throw out. Especially when it comes time to pack. Welcome back, enjoy it all! there is so much available now.

Hey Steve sounds like you and I are kinda in the same boat. I started jumping back in 1975 and quit for a long time just started back this year. I only had 96 jumps. about 70 on para commanders or 28' rounds with double LL or 7TU mods. I had about 26 jumps on a strato Star. When I started back this year I made 3 jumps on a Manta 288, two on a Falcon 265, then started jumping a Triathlon 175. I put about 50 jumps on it and am now jumping a Hornet 150. I weigh about 180 without gear also. I didn't have any problems at all with the transition. With as many jumps as you have you shouldn't have any problems with the triathlon 160.

I can see where the fabric might hold up, but what about the ribs, stiching and seems? I jumped a Johnathan a with about 2000 jumps on it. When I packed it air came through the seems so hard I thought it had a hole in it.

Hey Ann in the old days (Nam) your 6 was your commanding officer. I guess I'm showin my age here but anyway the six is the big guy the one in charge. So what a great number! By the way if you chics are ugly, then I want to be ugly muncher one,.

Well Wildblue Having been a police officer for 11 years. I have been out of law enforcement for 10 years so things have changed some. I can tell you that trying to screw the system is not much of a way to go about it. I used to be in traffic court every thursday because I wrote tickets every week, the only way I wasn't going to show up was if I was on a call or I was on vacation. The D A would then continue the case until I got back. Honeycutt VS the commonwealth of Kentucky was a land mark case in radar operation. If you can find it you can see what is required of the police officer. Judicial notice was taken of radar in that case which means the court no longer has to prove that radar is accurate its accepted. So you have to prove the operator was inaccurate. It can be done, but it would take a lot more time and space then I have here to tell you all the things to look for. See if you can find the Kentucky case. There is no tape in a radar unit. It does not have to be recalibrated only calibration tested before and after each shift. This is done with tuning forks. It only has to be recalibrated if it fails a test. There are many things that can cause operator error while running a radar unit. Panning: this is where you can pick up things like your blower motor. Ghosting: people who dabble in radio know this one its like a skip you just pick up a reading out of the blue. Shadowing: where the patrol car is to close to the violator Grouping or bunching: to many cars to be sure which one is the guilty party. Cosign error: to much angle between the radar unit and the violator Fishing: running around checking every car on the road for speeding. So you see there is a lot to check for. It is possible you got an officer that is improperly trained and you can win your case but do your research. Sorry I can't tell you more but it would take pages. I think there are a couple of books out there on the subject Good luck!

In the best hypnotic voice I can muster keep your eye on the watch as it goes back and forth back and forth. you are getting sleepy, your eyes are getting very heavy you can't hold them open your asleep. you should go back to Beaumont and buy all your friends jumps tickets for xmas. How about scuba dive in Cozumel scuba dive and skydive in playa del carmen Go to Eloy and do some great jumping. Do the Florida jumping, scuba diving, laying on beach thing You don't really want advice do you? you just wanted to make us all hate are jobs cause we have to work the month of December!

Just thought I'd throw my two cents in. I had a little problem with my factory diver (see gear and rigging) anyway I needed some bolts and washers to hold the face shield on (flip up shield) the factory doesn't make them anymore so they told me to try some dealers. Well I called around quite a bit with no luck. Then remembered this thread. So I called skyKat, Tony had a couple of old ones and sent them out to me no charge. Now its not a big thing but its nice to know they take care of you when you need a rig or even if you just need a couple of bolts and washers. Thanks to skyKat I'll have my helmet back in action in a few days. I know where I'll be going for the rest of the gear I need. They do Rock!

I tried to send you the pictures but I got a returned email. It said you were over quota what ever that is. Anyway I tried to PM you and that didn't work either. So I don't know if its my computer or the system or your computer, but anyway If you get your email straight let me know and I'll try again.

Hey guys all good ideas, thanks for the replys

Ok gang I could sure use some help with this one. I have an original factory diver with the flip up lens (not an oxygen). I lost one of the screws and washers that hold the face shield in place. I contacted the factory and they don't have any left. Of course they don't make this helmet any more. They suggested contacting some of the dealers like Sunshine Factory. Well I called them, square one, and action air with no luck. I looked locally for something that would work. The only bolt I found that would fit has a hex head on it and the helmet looks like frankenstien with the bolts out the side of the head. Anybody have any ideas? Anyone know of a dealer that might have some? I would also like to find some of the rachets cause it looks like if something breaks I may be out of luck. Any help would be appreciated.

Hey Andrea The Sabre2 and the Hornet are very similar canopies. In fact if you don't pack it you most likely wont even notice the difference. Now the difference between a 190 and 170 will not be very extream. It will be a little faster nothing that will bother you. Land it just like you do your Hornet and you'll be fine. I downsized from a 170 to a 150 and no problems at all. So don't worry yourself, enjoy it you'll have a good time. By the way you might want to look at some of the comparisons of the Sabre2 and Hornet before you put out the big bucks for a PD product. I have a Hornet and I'm very pleased with it!

Yes Monica was Bill's little humidor, but I'm not sure I would want to light one up after! But I guess it had to be said

Well Flow Maybe this will help some. I just started flying a Hornet 150 loaded at about 1.35. I have only 10 jumps on this canopy. So very little experience. Today was a no wind day, coming straight in no risers I had about a 30 ft. surf to a nice 2 step landing. So I'm sure with maybe a nice riser curve or if you got what it takes a hook turn you can surt one quite a ways at this wing loading.

I have bought all my gear online. I bought a reflex with a triathlon 175 a raven dash m 218 and cypress. I have also bought a factory diver helment, a digitude, a frap hat, a hornet 150 and a heatwave 135. With various other things. I have never had any problems and have always got a good deal. However one of the guys that jumps at my home DZ bought a used kit sent $1700 and never got anything. He went through paypal and they have some things in the works but that was back in April and as of now he still does not have a rig or his money back. So you really must use care.

Actually I have a dytter and it only has one warning. Its all I need. The newer prodytter has 3