chutingstar 1 #1 December 5, 2007 I just started working on an Eclipse rig that was dropped off over the weekend...and just discovered it has a RWS "small" freebag and RWS reserve pilot chute in this Eclipse "A" rig. Did I miss something...has this become acceptable with Eclipse now out of business? I thought replacement parts were still available? Or was there an agreement at some point with RWS/UPT to supply replacement parts? Anyone? Thanks for any info you have... MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,068 #2 December 5, 2007 Hi Mike, He used my drop test dummy for his drops. What this means is that I have some fuzzy memory of him using a Vector pilot chute for the tests. I 'think' he began building his own pilot chutes later. Now, do not bet any money on that. The Sidewinder ( built in Canada w/FAA TSO ) was tested with a Vector pilot chute and they still come with a Vector pilot chute. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #3 December 5, 2007 Call Bill Dause at The Parachute Center. Maybe he can give you more info on it. (209) 369-1128 Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
everymansaved 0 #4 December 5, 2007 Yeah, what Jerry said about the Sidewinder. I believe Al (owner of Flying High, the company that makes it) orders all his reserve p/c's right from RWS.God made firefighters so paramedics would have heroes...and someone can put out the trailer fires. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RIGGER 0 #5 December 5, 2007 Good inspection. You should check that with UPT/RWS & the last TSO holder of the Eclipse h/c. The "Eclipse" h/c has it's own free bag & reserve p/c, even looks like the Vector system it is not. Look at the mfg. dates of the h/c & the Vector free bag & reserve p/c. The Vector free bag & p/c are TSO'd by the RWS/UPT under TSO C23B for the Vector system only. Eclipse free bag & reserve p/c were tested & TSO'd by the Eclipse mfg. under his TSO approval, the Eclipse free bag & reserve p/c are marked with the Eclipse TSO stamp & details & the size. TMO using the Vector items in the Eclipse h/c is not legal & voids the TSO for both items involved. Safe Rigging !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psychoswooper 2 #6 December 5, 2007 I had this same issue come up with a rig last year. I was told that RWS/UPT does not permit the use of their freebag-pilot chutes assemblies in any other manufacturer's rig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 561 #7 December 5, 2007 Quote I had this same issue come up with a rig last year. I was told that RWS/UPT does not permit the use of their freebag-pilot chutes assemblies in any other manufacturer's rig. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Some one had better tell that to the 300+ Canadians who jump Sidewinders containing Vector reserve pilot chutes. Tee! Hee! Al MacDonald has a written agreement with Relative Workshop about RWS supplying pilot chutes to Flying High. Most of the reserve pilot chutes installed in Sidewinders have an RWS TSO stamp, plus a second label from FH. IOW, Vector pilot chutes are included in the Sidewinder TSO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 561 #8 December 5, 2007 FAA Master Riggers are allowed to substitute similar TSOed components. Though I have to agree with Shlomo that if you install components - that are certified under different TSOs - the entire system is degraded to the weight and airspeed restrictions of the lowest-rated TSO. On a practical note: I would not worry about Vector components failing if installed in an Eclipse, because Vector pilot chutes are installed in military tandem bundle Sigmas that operate far heavier, far faster and at far higher altitudes than (the military will admit to Bill Booth) any civilian Eclipse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #9 December 6, 2007 Quote Call Bill Dause at The Parachute Center. Maybe he can give you more info on it. (209) 369-1128 Ed Just an FYI and update...talked with Bill Dause and he says he is no longer making replacement parts for the Eclipse systems. He says Vector replacement freebags and reserve pilot chutes are acceptable. He also recommended contacting Jumpshack for replacement reserve ripcords. So there you go Eclipse owners. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RIGGER 0 #10 December 7, 2007 Does Bill D. is the Sport Eclipse TSO holder ? You must contact UPT/RWS for using the Vector f/b & reserve p/c in the Eclipse. Better have written approval from both: RWS/UPT & the Eclipse TSO holder. I think better all the legal / TSO issues will be clean out before taking "Master Rigger Action" Safe Rigging !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #11 December 7, 2007 I have a Naro freebag and pilot chute in one of my Eclipses that was installed by a master rigger and it works just fine. Functionally there is no noticeable difference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
