Rigger226

Agreed. I think at least they could make the side tuck tabs a bit longer and/or make the stiffener material stronger so the flippin' handle wasn't so quick to dislodge at the slightest touch. That and I wish idiot jumpers would quit assuming the red handle meant grab at every single opportunity other than the one time they should need it.

The new T-11R doesn't have a weight attached to the bridle like the MIRPS did. The canopy is folded on top of the spring and the pilot chute is folded on top of the canopy so the apex of the canopy and the pilot chute is ejected on deployment. The canopy also has scoops at the apex to help the canopy catch air faster.

Pretty close to the same set up. A deployment assist device (spring) and pilot chute with a small weight attached to throw the pilot out further.

Modern static line reserves (T-11R) have a pilot chute (extractor) and an ejector spring which contains the closing loop. Pilot chute is folded on top of the compressed ejector spring, and then launched into the relative wind when deployed, while the ejector spring falls away.

The Military Free Fall school will start receiving theirs in the next two months, and should start using them in the courses by November. The nomenclature for the rig is the RA-1. Just waiting to get ours here in NC in the next few months and try them out.

Funny thing is that even 46 years later, we still teach military riggers almost the exact same way, and still use the same facilities in the film. Equipment is slightly newer, but not much else has changed.

The outside A,B,C,D lines (A-D 1&10) are the ones that connect to your stabilizers.

Has anyone ever got a 240 ZP into a J5 d-bag? Had an older Tri 220 that was a PITA to get in and closed, and tried to get a Sabre 2 230 in there once and wasn't happening. The Tri fit fine into the container, and I think the Sabre 2 would have as well, but I couldn't get the middle grommet very close to the ret. band on the Tri, and nowhere close on the Sabre 2 when I got it in the bag. Same thing with the reserve. I've had to massage the PDR 218 into there a bit to get it in there well. Really should get one of the Optimum reserves. Would make that pack much more fun.

Our military rigger regulations for the most part mirror civilian regulations. Just a few differences. Our freefall mains and reserves both have a 120 day pack cycle (we are looking to change this to 180 for the new freefall system on the reserve) Military (MC-4) reserves are not sealed. Riggers keep and maintain control of the rigs when they are not on a jumpers back, so if a pin gets popped or we suspect something is funny it gets a repack. Our system of logging the work is a little different. We keep a log book for the main and reserve with every rig that the packer and supervisor signs every time the chute is packed, and an inspector signs the chute after every inspection prior to issue and after return. I have never personally seen pencil packing take place on a personnel chute (cargo chutes, eh who knows) but have heard rumors and stories once or twice in my career.

According to the rules you must serve as a military rigger in order to qualify for the military competency exam, so no I don't believe you are able to use that. Also curious how you have packed T-11R's and MC-4 reserves without being a rigger. It doesn't make sense, and according to the regulations that guide us military riggers, is illegal I believe.

True statement...I am convinced I wouldn't have even needed to go thru AFF if I would have had the reflective belt. It gives such mad skillz!!! LOL!

This. While it may not be done by many in the civilian sport market any more, there are systems today that require you to roll sections of the nose towards the center cell and place them inside the nose of the center cell respectively. Has nothing to do with skydiving, but the large ram-air cargo chutes we use in the military require rolling the nose or even tying it shut to protect the equipment.

DOH!!! Absolutely correct...grabbed the wrong page of the manual. Damn you Abn Sys people

Two different cloths. Lower half is Type IV FG504 nylon parachute cloth, and upper half is Type VI FG 504 nylon parachute cloth.

New guy here. I am a military rigger stationed in VA, and just recently started my AFF training. Decided that static line jumping wasn't enough for me once my wife was afforded the opportunity to attend MFF training and it is a blast. Looking to get my A and then start looking for my senior rigger ticket. It's been awhile since I've packed a square rig so might take a bit. Started skydiving at Virginia Skydiving Center in VA. Hope to learn some good info here. AATW!