tuffyjensen

I bought the cypres 2 with no problems. After showing interest, he emailed me right away with his number. I called and he said he was living in Vegas and we could do a paypal transaction. I happen to have one of my ex-casino employee's/buddy living there so I suggested he take it to my buddy and he would pay him cash on the spot as he gave my buddy the cypres. All went perfect, but can't speak for any of his past transaction or if I didn't have a connection. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

As stated earlier this was just sold on ebay the day before it showed up on here for sale. The strange thing about the ebay sale, the person acted like they had no idea about skydiving gear and called Sunpath for info. Maybe stolen gear. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I have been using DB S/L since I bought the DZ in '99 and they used it for 2 years as well. Originally the gear was all F-111 Mantas in Telesis 2 containers. I have changed to all Navigators ranging from 200 to 280 and added 3 Vectors. We have also added AFF, so S/L students have declined tremendously, but still have done 1000's. There is absolutely no relevance to the type of material, but there is of course some relevance to the wing loading. From viewing and analyzing 100's of videos, the real cause of line twist on S/L from DB is this. DB is so quick at extracting the bag (10 feet, 12 foot S/L and 2 feet in the plane) the student from a hanging position is still upright as the bag is pulled up against and past the reserve container and at the same time it is pulled at an angle towards the airplane. This sideways pull on the dbag and the dbag hitting the reserve container starts the bag spinning as the lines are extended. If you get a student that puts their head down on exit you usually get a cleaner deployment, but the better the arch/exit usually the more line twist (great trade off). A couple of pointers for DB S/L use. 1) If you mount the radio on the side of the helmet, mount it on the side facing the plane. The outside riser is pulled behind the students head and eventually slides right over and past the outside ear (check students hearing for both ears). 2) Always have a rubber band attached to the container for a good tight stow of the S/L just above the pin going to the S/L end. This really helps controlling the S/L and help in eliminating a short line. My Telesis 2 rigs did not have that when I bought the DZ, we had one short line (thankfully on a training jump, and jumper left immediately), but after I added that absolutely no issue. Also when I sent them in to the manufacturer for inspection they came back with an attachment added (must have been a good idea). 3) Beat it into the students head that they will have line twist not maybe. When it is 100% expected, they handle it fine. I teach it as a nuisance that can be and has to be fixed (same as end cell and stuck slider) not as a malfunction, they are only a malfunction if not cleared by 2500 feet. Then when they don't it's gravy. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Thanks for the help, as always you are so useful on this website. And you wonder why people don't want to post anything on here. I fell into a little to much sense of trust after purchasing many things, even across the pond, and having nothing but good experiences. I did do some research prior to just not enough. So yes I F%$@# up, thanks genius. To the ones with constructive help I really appreciate it. I have filed a fraud report with WU, until the police call them the only thing they can tell me is that it was picked up in London. In the US you must show an ID, anyone know about London, and yes I know it very likely would be a fake ID. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Does anyone know this person. Jeremy Zienota, 12 North Holmes Road, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, United Kingdom. My home dropzone is Skydive Canterbury (+44) 020-8123-1032 and ask about Jeremy Z or Jer-Z. Most of my friends call me Jer-Z like the singer Jay-Z :). Not accusing yet, but trying to do some research. Trying to buy some gear from him and need to no if this person is legit. Registered here 3 years ago, but no info of any kind filled out. After sending part of the money no email replies since Sunday. Has anyone used Western Union before and is there protection like paypal. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

My understanding is that a back or seat rating can pack a chair, since it is kind of a combination of the 2. At least that is what my DPRE told me. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I have a potential AFF student with mild CP and trying to do all the research I can before allowing him to give it a try. Did the video from this tunnel session ever get posted anywhere, I would really like to see it for a reference. He has done 2 tandems, 1 with me and it wasn't bad, but AFF is a whole different ballgame. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

We need to see pictures of it packed up and while it is on and you being lifted up by the main risers to see how it fits when you are in the saddle. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Is 14 in a day, 34 in 2 1/2 days being on every other otter load, helping do part of the pack job busy? Still laid every student on the ground and did a practice arch, went over the whole skydive including the use of an altimeter and the wave and pull, flying the canopy together including the landing (repeat on the climb to altitude). Over 1000 tandems and have yet to not be able to convince a student to pull (some forget or can't find it), fly and land the parachute. I tell the student that it is their skydive and I am there to assist them through it. I am not making a dig towards anyone, just saying I know first hand that it can be done. It keeps you more involved and not as much of a burnt out Ti as well. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

If you are only going to make one jump every year, then it should be a tandem and not an AFF jump. AFF is for learning how to skydive and making one jump a year is not learning anything. If you do want to learn then save your pennies up over a few years and actually get into an instructional program and stay current. Good luck in the future. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Our judicial system does suck, but as a business owner you have the right to refuse anyone's business as long as you are not prejudice such as race, sex, etc. When it deals with safety there is no issue, I don't think it would be prejudice when there is no canopy manufacture that would recommend that type of a canopy with that kind of wing loading at 250 jumps, PERIOD. Stay consistent with the manufacture recommendations and you will not have any issues about liability. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

As a DZO I would not allow you to be so naive and ignorant to the advice of others (I hope including your DZO or club president), your DZO or any other place you try to jump should take the same stance and not allow you to jump that canopy. This is not meant to be an attack on you personally, but you just don't get what the dangers are and what your impending incident/death will do to you, your family and friends, your DZ and the sport in general. I am sure that some will flame me for controlling what someone jumps, please flame away. As a DZO/Club you have to take some responsibility in making sure that your jumpers are making reasonable choices and being safe. You jumping this canopy is almost a certain incident waiting to happen and it might not be just you, yes you could kill someone else because of it. Courses are great, but CANNOT be substituted for experience, PERIOD! You will have time to learn how to fly this type of canopy if you take the time and if you don't take the time you will never get the chance to learn and someone else will learn from your mistake. If they can kill people with thousands of jumps just because of a minor mistake/misjudgment, then they can definitely kill someone with a couple hundred jumps that is bound to make a major mistake, we all have. Even if you would continue and never get hurt, it does not mean you should have done it. Example: Would it have been right to drive home with a blood alcohol of .3 all over the road just because you made it there without killing yourself or anyone else. I hope you know the answer to that without thinking. Please listen to your elders and respect their knowledge before we are doing a condolence page. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I had tore my right ACL 15 years and the left ACL 10 years prior to having bilateral autograph patellar tendon (both at the same time) ACL reconstruction on a Wed. in Dec. '03 (I think 21st). I was shooting pool by Sunday and skydiving within 5 1/2 weeks. Most people thought I was nuts, but I attribute it to the PT. What ever they will allow you to do, push it to the limit without re-damaging. Letting it go, as stated, is very damaging, causing arthritis and the likely chance of total knee replacement later on (trust me I know, cause I will have to). Hopefully you will have a better Doc than I did, wish I knew then what I do now. I can still displace my right at least 1/2 inch without any outside assistance just my leg muscles. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I put a bad battery in a rig the same as you described. My response as the rigger was, I put it in I should fix the problem at no charge to the customer. I then in turn called SSK and they promptly replaced the battery that I had to replace. It doesn't need to be repacked, just opened and re-closed if it is the same rigger. I have had nothing but great experiences dealing with SSK and would expect that to be the same for everyone. Be polite and courteous explain your problem and most manufactures/dealers will work with you. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

PD's F-111 line of canopies are simply called a PD?(whatever size) 9 cell canopies follow the more traditional sizes 150,190,210,230,250,260 etc., 7 cell main canopies follow the same abnormal sizes as the reserve line 143,176,193,218 etc. with the exception of the 160 (not sure if it was ever a main). Get a hold of an older paragear catalog and they were in there, around the late 90's. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Of course you gave a very good analysis. I would have to agree and feel there are 3 points to help alleviate this from happening to a TI. 1. I think that a very tight hookup is very crucial in keeping the student close and allowing you as the TI to out fly the student (I don't see that much separation and think that was done just fine). 2. Get stable before throwing the drogue, I think this was your main contributing factor that started the spin. The drogue bridle just misses your feet leading to suggest a head down attitude and it was also rotating around as some exits do. The throwing of the drogue at that point created a pivot point and accelerated the rotation into a spin. Yes throw the drogue as quick as possible, but stability with out comes first. 3. As stated many times once in that position fly yourself first, the student second. She had great position just one leg ended up on the outside, should be correctable or not even need corrected. As you probably tell your students just take a deep breath and relax. I wish all my students had that good of body position on exit and landing. Which I would caution landing a slide in tandem in the pea pit, a foot can dig in quickly and roll an ankle or worse. If you want to prove your accuracy then land next to it. Kudos for the post. Blue Skies, Dennis Jensen Be safe and have fun, in that order! Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

This is straight from the cypres link posted for the trade in of an expired cypres http://www.cypresusa.com/...In_customers_USA.pdf 5. Cutters are also affected by the life time regulation. Due to the production process, the original cutter(s) can be slightly older than the cypres itself. These cutters are airworthy until the unit reaches the age of 12 years + 3 months 6. The life time regulation of 12 years + 3 months is also valid for cutters. The important fact is the date on the cutter. If you want to keep an already used one, please send them in (via your dealer) for a free of charge check up. This inspection will assure that the cutters are not damaged (cable,shielding, etc.)*** Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

This is exactly what happens on the Spectre line of canopies within as few as a couple hundred jumps on a new line set of Spectra. The locking loop is set very deep in the brake setting, extremely close to the stall, so an inch or so of shrinkage causes it to partially stall and surge on opening. I think this deep brake setting is why they are known for such soft openings normally. Compare the same size of another canopy from locking loop to toggle and you will see a very noticeable difference. If the line is in good shape otherwise and has plenty of finger trap (4' minimum), simply pull out the bartack extend it an inch, re-finger trap and re-tack. Otherwise replace the lower control line as stated earlier, I do this about half way through every Spectre line set. Also stated earlier was controlling the slider, I am very convinced that letting the slider come down from the stops an inch or 2 can make a huge difference on the opening shock. It is very common that when making the second s-fold people push the slider grommets down off of the stops, so be careful and hold them up tight. Blue Skies, Be safe, have Fun Dennis Jensen www.qcskydiving.com Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Sewing machine leg works great, but not every rigger has one. Another way to pre-stretch. If you have a positive closing device, stick the cyrpes loop with the washer on it, through the hole and then use the handle through the loop. This gives you the handle and the closing device to pull on (behind your head works best). Before opening the reserve note if you feel the loop should be shorter or longer. Measure the old loop from washer to loop tip (example 3"). To make the new loop the correct length you tie the knot close to the washer, it will usually stretch about a 1/2 so start a 1/2 inch short of the desired length (2 1/2 in this example). You will figure out your stretch distance after a few times and end up real close every time. Holding on to the washer with your fingers just won't get it stretched, unless you're incredibly strong Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

PAC 750XL jumps with no registration. We are a small single cessna 182 dropzone that is ran like a club even though it is privately owned. We are getting a PAC 750XL for the weekend of May 26-28, 2007(Memorial Weekend). The scheduled prices are $22 for nonmembers and $20 members (assuming 10 jumpers per load). If we can keep it full with 14 jumpers per load I will lower the prices to $18 and $16. We will have a BBQ rib dinner on Sat night for $8 per person. We are located 20 miles east of the IA/IL border on Interstate 80 just outside of Geneseo, IL. PD's Nick Grillet will be there with about 35 demo canopies including the new Optimum Reserve! We will also be watching the UFC fight Sat. night! www.qcskydiving.com Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

I always prefer to match materials, different materials have different abrasive abilities and wear more on each other (So I've been told and read). Canopy to cascade is Upper Steering Lines (UST), cascade to locking loop is Lower Steering Line (LST) and from locking loop to toggle is usually called Brake to Toggle (BK-TGL). Depending on the construction of the locking loop and the cascade you can replace any section if made separately, not all canopies are made that way. I was always taught to replace both sides (A, B, C, D or steering) so that the wear (stretch or shrinkage) will be symmetrical. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Thanks Bill, I was waiting to see how long it would take for someone to recognize that. My understanding is that it takes 60mph+ for a PC to do it's job (damn sure better not be jumping). Many people have that fear of the RSL not being disconnected and waste what could be valuable time to take care of the situation. As for posted winds, at most DZ's I've seen it is a forecast only and not actuals that are continually being updated. I recommend every DZ have a wind meter available for any jumper to walk up and look at it and check the peak gusts over the last X amount of time (only 100-200 USD, very cheap safety insurance) Be Safe and have Fun in that order. Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

If you notice in some of the videos from one of the DZO/ TI/ S&TA/ as the Cameraman, he is directly under the tandem during deployment does not even watch for complete inflation rolls over and dumps in spot. How many vidiot/tandem incidents have to happen before some people figure it out, let alone a DZO/ TI/ S&TA. I know, but I've done it that way thousands of times and nothing has happened. It can and will! BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN, IN THAT ORDER!! Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy

Well said, but in addition to the students experience, number 1 it is about their safety. As an examiner please help to ensure proper reprimand for this TI, which is a loss of all ratings. There is no excuse for these antics by any TI at any experience level period (exception R&D by a willing and experienced jumper/TI). I can't believe any DZO would allow these kind of unsafe conditions for their clients to exist. The USPA should be pulling their group membership for not following the agreement that was signed, 1-4 The Group Member Pledge. Knowingly and purposely ignoring a service bulletin of such a serious nature (http://www.strongparachutes.com/Pages/inf_Servicebulletins.htm) is not an acceptable ethical guideline. So, the answer is BAD IDEA and STUPID! Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order! Tuffy