slotperfect (D 13014)
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Apr 19, 2004, 7:46 AM
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Manufacturer Contacts On dropzone.com
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Many questions are asked in this forum about skydiving gear, and there are many highly qualified folks who can provide excellent input. You may notice that most of them add the comment "contact the manufacturer."
Reading all such posts here, I find that many folks would rather post their question in these forums instead of contacting the people who made the gear in the first place. Instead of scratching my head wondering why, I decided to stick this post at the top of the Gear and Rigging Forum hopefully making a few skydivers better informed.
Did you know that there are a large number of Dropzone.com members that own or work for companies in the parachute industry? I have posted a list below of the ones I have been able to round up. Please, if you know of more that are dotcommers, let me know. I will continually edit this list to keep it as up-to-date as possible.
In my experience with manufacturers, they are all very approachable and work very hard to answer my questions. Through my experience, I have some tips for those who want to ask them a question:
-read the manual first. It might answer your question by itself. If not, you may only be calling the manufacturer for a clarification instead of a complete explanation.
-read all related manuals. If the component is used in conjunction with another, read both to understand the full picture.
-use email. I get better results with email because it can be forwarded to exactly the right person to answer my question, and the issue it contains can be addressed when that person is focused on it, rather than having a phone call interrupt them.
-be clear and concise. Stay away from the "story" unless it is specifically relevant to your question. Focus on the specific issue.
-use their manufacturer homepage email address. That address will give your question more visibility. Bear in mind that some manufacturer dotcommers will read their PMs, others may not.
-provide as much information as possible: your full name, phone numbers, best time(s) to call, email address, the component serial number (SN), date of manufacture (DOM), and model.
-just buy a used rig? Ask them to fax you the production sheet. It will provide you with much useful information such as when it was made, who it was sold to, all harness measurements, what canopies it was built for, and even clear up whether an unusual feature was incorporated during manufacture or during a later modification in the field.
**Reflex H/C Information - riggermick - Mick Cottle (former VP of Fliteline Systems)
**Reflex H/C Info & Parts - skydance - Ray Ferrell
Please reply to this thread only to provide me updates for the above list, or to provide your own feedback about personal interaction with particular manufacturers. That will help those who are shy about making contact feel more confident in doing so.
(This post was edited by slotperfect on Jan 15, 2013, 5:36 PM)
Apr 19, 2004, 9:08 AM
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It would be nice though to post it on the forum also, or at least the answer you were given. This way we inform each other and keep each other educated.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Apr 19, 2004, 9:13 AM
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I assume you mean a separate post: "I had this issue, I called XYZ Company, and they told me this."
Apr 19, 2004, 9:15 PM
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Hey, thanks for posting this. Even though I don't post on the forums all the time, I actually really love getting questions from other skydivers. It is usually a welcome distraction, and it does a number of things:
one, keeps me fresh on what is going on out there.
Two, if someone asks me a question I don't know the answer to off hand, it gives me the opportunity to research it and learn something new. (I will be the first to say I don't know 80% of what people ask, but I usually know WHO to ask that does, this way I can get back to the person with the correct answer, or best answer possible if it is a subjective question)
Three, it gives me a great excuse, if my boss walks in and I'm looking through Dropzone.com, I can say "No, no, no I'm not goofing off I'm working, look"
It is true what he said about PM's though, I check those about once a week, but I have my business email up and running most everyday (for instance I'm sitting in a hotel room in south america as i type)
all questions are welcome, but rember your third grade teacher was lying, there are stupid questions, so leave my '72 Pacer wagon out of this.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Apr 23, 2004, 5:15 AM
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Hi Guys,
One clarification: to honor the forum rules about advertising, and the guidance from Sangiro on signature lines, I ask that we keep this list focused on manufacturers and not gear dealers.
The intent of this post is to provide dotcommers with a contact list for seeking answers, problem solving, or educating themselves about particular items of skydiving equipment - straight from the source. Doubtless, there are gear dealers here that are highly knowledgeable and can provide sound advice as well. My intent is not to discount that knowledge at all.
The list I posted, with a recent improvement by HH (thanks!), links directly to individuals that are in one form or another factory reps for skydiving gear manufacturers. I purposely did not link to the factory websites, since they can be found in the "Gear" section of this site, and I did not want to encroach upon the forum advertising boundary.
Individuals that own or are employed by gear dealers that are factory reps in a more direct capacity than sales are absolutely welcome in the list. I will however list the manufacturer name and not the dealer name.
Jun 3, 2004, 6:21 PM
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Rigging Innovations, Inc. Eloy Municipal Airport 4900 N. Tumbleweed Rd, Bldg. 1 P.O. Box 86 Eloy, AZ 85231 USA Phone: 520-466-2655 FAX: 520-466-2656 http://www.rigginginnovations.com/
TomAiello (D 22400)
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Jun 24, 2004, 8:23 AM
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Robert Pecnik, robibird, has left Birdman to form his own wingsuit company, Phoenix-Fly.
Aug 6, 2004, 3:07 PM
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I don't suppose you know of anyone who has worked on or can answer any questions about parachute de france gear?
I realise that they don't deal in North America but I've managed to aquire a new line set for a PdF Merit 190 and the line lengths differ significantly in length from my exisiting lines. I've read a post stating that there may have been an upgrade but getteing info from the company is quite difficult. There is also only one mark on the end of the lines unlike the red and black mark on PD line sets. The lines are also numbered different from the normal ABCD 12345. If you can help me it would be greatly appreciated.
Aug 27, 2004, 11:28 AM
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I emailed relative workshop, mirage and Aerodyne for some questions I had about my rig I'm planning to buy. Only Aerodyne took the trouble to email me back (and very quick I my add).
ps...I'm planning to buy an all Aerodyne rig now :)
This is just a great place for info...
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Sep 15, 2004, 11:53 AM
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Jan 12, 2006, 7:13 AM
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I've found some controversial info regarding Arrow Dynamics in dz.com forums. Does anyone know the present contacts of Arrow Dynamics or the successors of their business (if any)?
Thanks in advance, Z.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Feb 14, 2006, 5:44 AM
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Apr 20, 2006, 2:50 PM
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Dear hurricane,
I've repaired my share of french material. I've noticed that there is a line shrinkage possible of approximately 10 to 15 cm. (depending on initial line length, age etc.). So there is you difference. About installing them, I would say measure the (old) line lengths individually and project those lengths on the new lines. What I mean is, the shortest line on the old lines would most likely to be the shortest line in the new set.
Jan 2, 2008, 7:40 AM
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Please feel free to change the manufacturing contact for Sunrise Manufacturing "Wings" to myself, Scarlett Schneppat. Thank you and blue skies and soft landings to all!!! Please feel free to contact me with ANY questions!
Jul 8, 2008, 9:00 AM
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Hi,
If you need any informations about Parachutes de France (Aerazur) products you can feel free to contact me jacques@parachut.fr, or you can find information on my website, in english at http://www.parachut.fr/...1_14&language=en
Regards
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Aug 28, 2008, 6:56 PM
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Added Mike Patterson (tmpattersonjr) from Mirage Systems.
Sep 2, 2008, 7:14 AM
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Hi dudes,
It's time for a change after 12,5 years working for Airtec. I will leave the company in a few weeks and focus on another activity. Something completely different, not skydiving related. A lot happened in the last 12 years, too much to list. It was fun to work at Airtec. I met a lot of people in a lot of countries, many of you became friends. I wish you all the best. I'm sure we will meet somewhere in the future or stay in touch. The world is small.
Your contact at Airtec for future technical and rigging questions is Juergen Sennert, some of you might know him already. Email adress: info@cypres.cc
His dz.com nick is airtecjuergen
Ciao, Kai
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Sep 2, 2008, 7:24 AM
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Re: [AirtecKai] Manufacturer Contacts On dropzone.com
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Best of luck, Kai. Your contributions in these forums are greatly appreciated.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Sep 2, 2008, 7:27 AM
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Removed Kai Koerner and added Juergen Sennert (airtecjuergen). Welcome Juergen!
Sep 29, 2008, 6:14 AM
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Thanks PhreeZone, what do you think my next best bet would be, I have tried the site and it is very helpful, however, not being able to find it there, I'm not sure where to go next. Thanks much. (perhaps email riggers at dz's?)
PhreeZone (D License)
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Sep 29, 2008, 7:39 AM
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You are looking for a manual for a 18-20 year old main that was never in major production. No one really services the canopy any longer, as bad as it sounds you might just be out of luck on this one. Some one that is into collecting skydiving history might have it but other then that the sources for the manual are pretty far inbetween.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Sep 29, 2008, 8:06 AM
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Contact Bob Chaffin in Commerce, TX: (903) 886-7662
Dec 9, 2008, 5:39 PM
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Not sure if you are still looking. But I believe when we were helping his son Scott organize the loft, I think Riggerlee ended up with the manuals for Bob's stuff. He is on here out of Dallas. He may be out of town for a while but maybe packertom on here could help.
Nov 22, 2009, 11:59 PM
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bomb420 - Mark 'Trunk' Kirschenbaum - Hypoxic sky490 - Terry Schumacher - Schumacher Precision Research Cookie - Jason Cooke - Cookie Composites
-Trunk
TomNoonan (D 24313)
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Dec 17, 2009, 5:11 PM
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Greetings to all,
I am no longer working for Strong Enterprises so I will no longer be posting under the dualhawk ID.
It was a great three years working for Ted and I wish him and everyone at the factory continued success in the future.
I am still happy to answer any technical questions I can, albiet under the caveat that it's "Tom's opinion" rather than "From the manufacturer". I will also continue to train tandem instructors on the Dual Hawk as a Strong Tandem Examiner.
Jun 17, 2010, 4:00 AM
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Kim Winslow (now married so Reuter-Winslow) is now taking all questions concerning Firebird (formerly Peformance Variable) kimblair13 kim@flyfirebird.com
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Jun 17, 2010, 5:51 AM
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Added Kim Reuter-Winslow of Firebird (kimblair13) and Mark "Trunk" Kirschenbaum from Hypoxic (trunk).
Jul 29, 2010, 1:30 PM
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Hello, My name's Rick & I'm taking over Scarlet's position at Sunrise Mfg. She's off to the military & a new career. I'll be trying to get up to speed here & no doubt be talking to you soon. THX, Rick
May 17, 2011, 7:55 AM
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Lunatic Apparel Brand by the Whitecone Company contact: mieszkojungst@whitecone.com www: www.whitecone.com
LouDiamond (D 25931)
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May 17, 2011, 11:12 AM
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Re: [Jungstie] Manufacturer Contacts On dropzone.com
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Jungstie please add your contact information in your DZ.com profile so people can contact you. Click on some of the links on the first post of this thread to see how this thread is set up. Thanks.
PS, I've already added you but your profile is blank.
slotperfect (D 13014)
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Dec 6, 2011, 2:32 AM
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Added Mike Patterson (TMPattersonJr) from Jump Shack.
