How do you keep up with service bulletins?

[jhh166 0]

Do we have a collective website?

Does anyone have a solid way to stay on top of SB's? I have no issue checking the websites before I repack but would always like to stay on top of them is all. I just wanted to hear others perspective on how to make sure you are not missing service bulletins, especially packing a rig several years old when its not in your face kinda knowledge. Thanks gents..

[excaza 1]

Besides the manufacturer, a combination of my rigger friends who send emails when they hear, DZ.com, and facebook

[elightle 8]

I hear about the latest SB's in USPA Update Emails. I believe all members automatically get the email updates unless they opt out.

[pchapman 262]

One answer is of course be a rigger for a long time and watch for things to be announced here on dz ... and then organize all one's downloads for easy access and make summary notes for easy reference.

The latter task can be a bit messy.
(For some Vigils for example, one has to check the cutter type, cutter date, LCD software date, and Vigil serial to be able to know the status of the device...)


But otherwise if there's one site to go to, the best I know of is the Australian Parachute Federation's bulletin list at:

http://hq.apf.asn.au/index.php/Service_Bulletins

Anyone got better?

If one is looking for older more obscure things, one might be on Parachutemanuals.com or http://hq.apf.asn.au/index.php/Service_Bulletins looking for manuals, and there will be some bulletins in there too.

[riggerrob 561]

www.pia.com
The Parachute Industry Association also publishes a list of recent Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives, etc.

[ksaylor1 0]

EDIT: riggerrob beat me to the punch

I check the PIA website (pia.com) just about every day. There's a substantial list, and new ones get posted to the list pretty quickly.

Ken

[pchapman 262]

Yes indeed I shouldn't have forgotten the PIA:
http://www.pia.com/PIAPUBS.htm#Service_Bulletins/AD
Their list is by date - good for checking for the latest news.

The Australian APF list is by manufacturer, much better for reference over the long term.

The APF also have a list of newest bulletins:
http://www.apf.asn.au/Rigging-and-Equipment/RAC-s-and-SB-s/New-SB-s/default.aspx
But this is only for the most recent, not a complete chronological list.

Comparing the last year or so for the APF vs PIA lists, the APF one captures more of the European gear that one rarely sees in the USA. Otherwise both seem to do about the same job. The APF list includes the organization's own bulletins as well. (The APF list did include a couple minor Strong bulletins that the PIA did not, but those were for additional equipment approvals, rather than any warning.)

[skydiverek 58]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3978424#3978424