crazydiver 0 #1 March 1, 2004 I have a Vector III with a an original swift reserve in it. Swifts were saving people when they were new. Do I really have anything to worry about? Any information you have is helpful. Cheers, Travis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #2 March 1, 2004 One of the 5 cells? I finally got to pack one this last fall. The breakway breaks are strange and I had to seek out someone that could explain them to me better. Its a 5 cell... its not going to land anything near like a modern 7 or 9 cell. If you've never jumped a 5 cell, I'd say just get a new reserve. If you are not current on your PLF's.. a new reserve is a lot cheaper then an ER trip...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 6 #3 March 1, 2004 QuoteOne of the 5 cells? I finally got to pack one this last fall. The breakway breaks are strange and I had to seek out someone that could explain them to me better. Its a 5 cell... its not going to land anything near like a modern 7 or 9 cell. If you've never jumped a 5 cell, I'd say just get a new reserve. If you are not current on your PLF's.. a new reserve is a lot cheaper then an ER trip... It's older tech but bullet proof, it'll save you when you need it. Opens very fast too, kevlar reinforced. I've used one, lands just fine. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #4 March 1, 2004 Mick, correct me if I'm wrong but you've also got a little experience under similar canopies right? Would you put one in your rig today?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 6 #5 March 1, 2004 QuoteMick, correct me if I'm wrong but you've also got a little experience under similar canopies right? Would you put one in your rig today? You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 6 #6 March 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteMick, correct me if I'm wrong but you've also got a little experience under similar canopies right? Would you put one in your rig today? You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Oh I forgot to add, brace yourself for a terminal opening it's ...........quick............ow. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #7 March 1, 2004 Hi crazydiver QuoteI have a Vector III with a an original swift reserve in it. Swifts were saving people when they were new. Do I really have anything to worry about? Any information you have is helpful. I've got one also, they work fine standups etc. 20 yr's period regardless of the number of times packed or used. " Dude you swift only got 5 cells your only jumping half a parachute" LMAO Search the posts for more info. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #8 March 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteMick, correct me if I'm wrong but you've also got a little experience under similar canopies right? Would you put one in your rig today? You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Lets rephrase that, if you were going to a new one today which would you choose, the original Swift, 189 sq. ft., or a PD-176r. I know if it was me I would pick the Swift. Sparky (does that make me not swift?)My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 6 #9 March 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteQuoteMick, correct me if I'm wrong but you've also got a little experience under similar canopies right? Would you put one in your rig today? You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Lets rephrase that, if you were going to a new one today which would you choose, the original Swift, 189 sq. ft., or a PD-176r. I know if it was me I would pick the Swift. Sparky (does that make me not swift?) Both are good reserves. Go with what you are comfortable with. Mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #10 March 1, 2004 About 20 years ago I was jumping a Swift main for around 200 dives. It gave me good landings at that time, although 220 7 cells were then considered the cutting edge of canopy performance. They'll land you just as well now as they did then, but the flare is very fast and not very powerful. Use the forward speed primaraly to avoid obsticals rather than try and fly over them as the glide path is steep. They open FAST and reliably, but can be trick to land if you've only jumped ZP before. Your call. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #11 March 1, 2004 Para Flite, the manufacturer of the Swift reserve, will do a 100% airworthiness and porosity inspection for $25 including the return shipping. People bring me older gear asking me to sell it for them. I usually have the canopies inspected to make sure I am selling someone a gear that will do the job for them. The last three reserves I have sent for this inspection have been deemed unairworthy due to poor porosity. Para Flite 5800 Magnolia Ave Pennsauken, NJ 08109-1399 (856) 663-1275 POC: Giorgio Piatti [email protected] Hope this helps!Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #12 March 1, 2004 Keep the wingloading light (ie 1.0 or less); that reserve was definitely not designed to be loaded up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #13 March 1, 2004 Hi slot perfect QuotePara Flite, the manufacturer of the Swift reserve, will do a 100% airworthiness and porosity inspection for $25 including the return shipping. People bring me older gear asking me to sell it for them. I usually have the canopies inspected to make sure I am selling someone a gear that will do the job for them. The last three reserves I have sent for this inspection have been deemed unairworthy due to poor porosity. Para Flite 5800 Magnolia Ave Pennsauken, NJ 08109-1399 (856) 663-1275 POC: Giorgio Piatti [email protected] Hope this helps! Thanks for the great info. If the manufactor uses objective tests to determine the airworthyness of a canopy no one can argue with that. $25 bucks is very reasonableI realize the last three reserves you sent to them failed their tests. That a 100% failure rate on 3 reserve's, whats you experience with swift's that you've sent in failing the test?. Did the factory have a conclusion for the deteriation of the canopy? too many pack jobs, improper storage etc? I'm a origional owner so I know how may times it's been packed and how it's been stored. $25 bucks what the hell time cheap insurance time to go to the post office. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #14 March 1, 2004 Quotewhats you experience with swift's that you've sent in failing the test? I have sent one Swift Reserve, and two Cirrus Reserves in for testing - all three failed and were deemed unairworthy QuoteDid the factory have a conclusion for the deteriation of the canopy? too many pack jobs, improper storage etc? The paperwork simply stated that the canopy fabric failed the porosity test. QuoteI'm a origional owner so I know how may times it's been packed and how it's been stored. In my case, two of the canopies were given to me, and one was a friend's who asked me to sell it. One of the reserves I had reservations about - the other two passed fabric pull tests and visual inspection. A phone call to Giorgio might yield a better answer to your questions given your good record keeping.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 261 #15 March 1, 2004 [opinion from a part time rigger] Overall, old technology but they look decently built. Only certified to 130 kts not 150 like some other reserves, especially all newer ones. On the other hand, plenty of older reserves were certified to 130, like the original Ravens who I guess were the industry leader at one time. Construction was very odd compared to a current 'standard' such as PD, but it all looked solid, including having spanwise reinforcement. Someone mentioned Kevlar. I recall that on the Swift Plus canopies, but not on the Swift. (At least on one I packed a couple days ago.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 3 #16 March 3, 2004 Quote[opinion from a part time rigger] Overall, old technology but they look decently built. Only certified to 130 kts not 150 like some other reserves, especially all newer ones. On the other hand, plenty of older reserves were certified to 130, like the original Ravens who I guess were the industry leader at one time. Construction was very odd compared to a current 'standard' such as PD, but it all looked solid, including having spanwise reinforcement. Someone mentioned Kevlar. I recall that on the Swift Plus canopies, but not on the Swift. (At least on one I packed a couple days ago.) At that time canopies were tested under TSO-23b and there was standard, 150 mph, and low speed, 130 mph. About the only canopies to pass the standard test where bias constructed rounds. That test required a test load of 5,000 lbs. and that is a lot even by todays standards. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottjaco 0 #17 March 4, 2004 I've got a Swift Plus(7-cell) it came with my rig used. I asked a lot of riggers and people with 10,000+ jumps and they say it's fine. I personally wouldn't jump anything less than a 7 cell reserve because of the wingloading issue. If it had an original swift(5-cell) I wouldn't have bought the rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #18 March 5, 2004 You need to check the serial number t see if it was a recalled Swift. Some of them had the wrong rib installed in them and made them impossible to land standing up. Serial numbers R3-2750 through R3-3471 where included in AD No.86-22-07! It had a 3" thicker rib at the nose and had increased decent rate, reduced forward speed, and reduced flare capability. Masterrigger1Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydude 0 #19 October 2, 2010 Hey there, I'm piecing out an old rig and have what I remember to be a Swift 176 ? Where on the canopy can I find any S/N or info ? I'm not seeing it ........ Any help would be great ! Blue Skies CharlieIs it Bridge Day Yet ? :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #20 October 2, 2010 The ones I've seen had a stamped label in the normal position. Serial number was there. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #21 October 2, 2010 Yep. The Para-flite packing instructions manual for the Swift Plus, Swift, Cirrus, and Orion says: "....The center of the tail is identified with a stamped data block, or an orange sewn on warning label. ...." The accompanying photo in the manual shows the ink-stamped label on the tail just to the left of the seam at the center. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erdnarob 1 #22 October 2, 2010 If your Swift reserve is more than 20 years old or/and more than 40 repacks, you should get a porosity test.Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #23 October 2, 2010 Swift Plus may have labels on the center of their tails, older Swift 1 canopies have their data panels on the front of a rib. Oh! And Swift 1 reserves only came in one size 176-181, depending upon whose measuring method you use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #24 October 2, 2010 Quote Swift Plus may have labels on the center of their tails, older Swift 1 canopies have their data panels on the front of a rib. Oh! And Swift 1 reserves only came in one size 176-181, depending upon whose measuring method you use. You certainly would have more experience with that than I. I am just reading the manual but I have no doubt there could be a departure from the manual. I've only seen my Swift twice and that was a view of the bottom and I wasn't looking for the data panel. 178.56 sq.ft. If they meant 18'6" x 9'6" then the area would be 175.75 (176) sq.ft. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertt 0 #25 October 3, 2010 Small world. I was reading this thread Friday, just out of interest, and damned if a guy didn't bring one in Saturday to be packed. It had the data stamped clearly on the center of the tail and was in great shape. It is not one of those in the recall posted by MEL.You don't have to outrun the bear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
