MC-4 Question

[alex_778 0]

I just had an email off a guy, who has no reason to lie to me. He said that:

"MC-4's are not certified for commercial use (they have no TSO) which is required for use in the sport industry or a civilian rigger to pack".

So why do I keep seeing MC-4's on ebay - how are people getting around this - who is doing the packing and checking?

Cheers peeps

[Pablito 0]

Peeps,
if you read the FARs you will find the answer.
Paraflite will not support the military rigs on the sport market. all the risk lies on the rigger that packed it.
Those rigs are design for HAHO and HALO, not pulling lower than 4500ft.
If you have any further questions you should contact the manufacturer.

"If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first"
Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito

[darkwing 4]

Yup, what Pablito said. A TSO is NOT required. The person who said otherwise should read the regs again.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[alex_778 0]

Thank you kind folks.

The guy who wrote that to me is actually a Director of S&M (nice) - sorry I digress - thats 'Sales and marketing' for a parachute company.

Ok then, so now that they are basically an - 'at your own risk item' - who are the people to look after one?

Cheers peeps, (peeps is a shorthand for people, from a TV character over here)

Alex

[PhreeZone 15]

Here in the US a rig either has to have a TSO or a Military approval #. Civilian riggers can pack them if they have the instructions for them. Overseas it mght very well be a different situation.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[ripcord4 0]

Alex,

The MC-4 is MOST DEFINITELY legal to jump. This topic has been covered several times over the past month or so. Check "military gear" on page 4 and "MT-1XX" on page 5 of these postings. There are also several posts from October and November of 2003 covering this topic. You may also check FAR 105.43 Paragraph D, Section 2:
"For the purpose of this section, an approved parachute is.....2. A personnel-carrying military parachute (other than a high-altitude, high-speed or ejection kind) identified by an NAF, AAF or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, OR ANY OTHER MILITARY DESIGNATION OR SPECIFICATION NUMBER.

In short, the MC-4 and MT-1XX rigs are legal to jump and civilian riggers can re-pack the reserve. I have jumped both types and they will open at any altitude you feel comfortable opening them at - high or low. They are no different than any other canopy.

[mjosparky 3]

Yea, what he said.

Quote

§ 105.3____ Definitions.
For the purposes of this part—
Approved parachute means a parachute manufactured under a type certificate or a Technical Standard Order (C–23 series), or a personnel-carrying U.S. military parachute (other than a high altitude, high speed, or ejection type) identified by a Navy Air Facility, an Army Air Field, and Air Force-Navy drawing number, an Army Air Field order number, or any other military designation or specification number.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[alex_778 0]

Lots of helpful people.

I know a tad about these things, being ex Mil. I have the problem of trying to get one when all who are selling them will not sell outside the US 'cos Uncle Sam does'nt allow it. I have now found a friendly seller who will ship to a rigger in the US for me(not export). But then I am told by the sales and marketing director of a company that specialise in military sales (someone who ya think would know) that no TSO = no repack.

As it happens PM today a rigger got back to me to say he would do the work (I worship the ground he walks on).

TSO's and things are all a bit confusing for a simple ex Soldier, so I think I'll dust off the Law degree and have a read of some paperwork.

I most humbly and appreciatively thank you for your help and the pointers to information that you have given, gentlemen I remain your humble servant.

Alex

[cvfd1399 0]

There are PLENTY in the U.S. I have had one, I learned at my Dz with one, I have 3 friends with one. You just have to know who to talk with is all.
I bet if you call Kevin and the gang that does the HALO jumps out of the mullins bullet they can hook you up.

[riggerrob 558]

... not sure about the finer points of British regulations, but in North America, any civilian rigger (who is familiar, signed off, etc. with that type) can legally repack military pattern parachutes, because back in the old days (circa 1965) military parachutes were the only designs in production. Then civilians started manufacturing sport parachutes which were basicly military patterns in prettier colors and it evolved from there.
Para-Flite's MC-4 is basicaly a civilian Swift harness/container (circa 1981) enlarged to accommodate huge military canopies. Most of the Swift manual applies when packing MC-4s. It only gets complicated when you start installing AADs on main ripcords, etc.

[LouDiamond 1]

The correct technical manual( one of many) for the MC-4 is TM 10-1670-287-23&p. It has most of the pertainent and useful information in it on every aspect of the system. A Google search should find an electronic version of it for download.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING