mathrick 2 #1 July 5, 2016 DFU (Danish Parachuting Union) has just published a notice by its Materieludvalget (Board of Equipment), grounding the Atom Millenium H/C system until further notice. MU's notice is binding for jumpers and dropzones operating under DFU. The notice document can be read here. Translation: Background: During the yearly reserve inspection and repack cycles, on multiple occasions it has been observed that in Atom Millenium containers the reserve PC extraction could be hindered. Upon consultation with riggers working in the field, MU has determined that the reason lies in deficiencies in the container's construction. The reserve flaps do not open sufficiently, which means the PC and reserve canopy need to push through a narrow opening during extraction. Additionally, the container, which employs cordura, has been previously observed to have a tendency to become sticky. Lastly, the plastic stiffeners sewn into flaps might work themselves loose overtime, creating creases and edges that could trap the PC. Affected equipment: Atom Millenium harness/container system Scope: affected equipment is to be grounded until further notice Remarks: MU has issued a request to the manufacturer for the publication of a Service Bulletin outlining the necessary repairs and precautions to restore the equipment's airworthiness."Skydivers are highly emotional people. They get all excited about their magical black box full of mysterious life saving forces." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 262 #2 July 5, 2016 For those of us who don't see a lot of Atoms, can you or someone else from that side of the Atlantic, clarify how the Millenium fits in with the Atom range? There's the Atom, Atom Legend, Atom Millenium ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #3 July 5, 2016 Atom Millenium reflects the date of manufacture. First guess, the Millenium was introduced around the turn of the century ..... same time as Javelin K series. What was the atomic number .... of that Danish rig? What was its atomic weight? How many electrons? How many protons? How far down the periodic table? How m....... Sorry, my mind wandered to a different type of atom. On an Atomic note: which way was the pilot-chute cap oriented? Was the long axis pointed towards the top flap. For riggers not familiar with Atoms: they have a pilot-chute similar to Vector but the hard cap is oval, like a race track. The long axis is supposed to be packed parallel to the wearer's spine, making it narrower to clear the side flaps. I suspect that this Service Bulletin is just another problem caused by making smaller and smaller patterns of the same design, until the different components no longer work together. Who can remember when Vector II reserve pilot-chute was introduced? Who remembers all the different Talon, Skyhook and Magnum pilot-chutes before Rigging Innovations finally introduced the Stealth reserve pilot-chute? How many have packed a Racer with that tiny diameter pilot-chute Spring? How many remember Strong removing "Flingers" from Quasar reserve containers? Bottom line, as containers get smaller different variables create problems. The factory has never seen some of the packing methods "invented" by field riggers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vodkafairy 0 #4 July 8, 2016 This video might be relevant: https://www.facebook.com/196463580385901/videos/1166086923423557/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mathrick 2 #5 July 8, 2016 DFU has issued an update, limiting the affected gear. After further consultation with people in the field, the notice has been narrowed and now only affects Atom Millenium with cordura on the inside of reserve flaps. The official document hasn't been reissued yet due to the reduced personnel available during holiday season."Skydivers are highly emotional people. They get all excited about their magical black box full of mysterious life saving forces." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #6 July 12, 2016 SB is just out http://www.ffp.asso.fr/bspf11072016-tissu-cordura-conteneur-de-secour/scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 262 #7 July 12, 2016 To be more clear, the only rigs of concern are those with single surface cordura construction of the reserve container, where the 'back' of the cordura is exposed and can get sticky after being exposed to high temperatures and/or humidities. So this latest bulletin seems to be BS-ATOM-25-002 from Zodiac (ex Parachutes de France) although the French Federation makes it the core of what they label BS/PF/11072016 (which doesn't really add anything more). These new bulletins also refer to the 2015 bulletin BS-ATOM-25-001, which basically said if one finds a sticky container at a repack (or if found after a check due to concern about storage conditions), the container has to be rebuilt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #8 July 13, 2016 Javelins had a similar problem back in 2002. A batch of red nylon Cordura fabric had sub-standard urethane coating that tried to adhere to reserve pilot-chutes. Nylon fabric often has a urethane coating to make it waterproof. Some urethane coatings are as stinky as the urine (pee) that they are chemically derived from. Urethane coating is not as durable as fabric. Sometimes urethane just peels off. The worst case has urethane melting in warm temperatures and high humidity and sticking to other components (e.g. reserve pilot-chutes). I have also seen reserve free bags made of sticky Oxford cloth. They stank like urethane but were never sticky enough to prevent the reserve canopy from sliding out. Sun Path offered to rebuild Javelin reserve containers for free. See SPSB004 for details. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
