rpanter

For $500 I'll deliver you the rig to Graz, Austria. I visit my grandmother and uncle there quite a bit. I can bring in a rig for "personal use" and not return with it.

I just assembled a new Javlin for a customer and they (Sunpath) have changed from elastic toggle keepers to reenforcing tape. They are stiffer and look like they will last longer. Also soft bumpers or "hoods" are not needed for soft links, you should not cover them so they can be inspected at every repack. They are stronger than rapid links but need to be inspected often for wear.

First if properly stowed (toggle) it should not be able to come loose. I had a Reflex velcro-less toggle with a broken lower tuck tab that worked fine for over 100 jumps, if it would have failed it would have been during deployment (ie brake fire). Second again if properly packed the poptop should be sunk into the reserve and there be no room for anything to get under it, even a line.

Quickly checking Sunpath's site a J4K fits a 176 reserve with up to a 190 ZP main. So you are already pushing the container with the bigger reserve, and a 210 ZP main also should fit but will be harder to close. Pushing the limits of both the main and reserve containers with bigger canopies may not be safe so consult a rigger and have them test fit a borrowed 210 main like the one you intend to and see if they will work. Function and safe operation of the container is the factor now since you are pushing the design limits.

PD reccomends that when demoing a new canopy not to change size or type at the same time. That is down size and different brand or model (even if the same manufacture). You will get different characteristics by just changing one and can get your butt in trouble by too many changes at once. Also jumping in Texas you are pretty close to sea level, so any where above that will give you faster landings than you are used to. Talk to instructors that may have taught you and know what you are capable of and not trying to sell you gear and are familiar with the equipment you are looking at to help you decide on what is safe. Anyone who has not seen your canopy control skills cannot suggest anything beyond a novice or student type canopy of the correct wing loading set by the manufacture. Sorry, I don't agree with hoping that by the time your smaller custom canopy comes in you will have the needed experience to jump it. You may not and will want to jump it because you have it and could hurt yourself of someone else. Buy the correct size for your current skill and down size when your skill is appropriate.

Javlin, Wings and Dolphins are semi exposed poptops and take the same care in packing to make look good. So the only way to avoid seeing careless rigging (due to loose poptops) is to own a rig that has a completly enclosed reserve pilot chute system like a Vector.

As an ex-Army Ranger with plenty of statics under my belt I don't think Army jumps suck they have a diferent purpose. Most of my military jumps were from between 500'-600' AGL, in order to get you on the ground fast before you get shot. While still fun (to me) not ment as a sport or form of entertainment. And since the equipment (military static with rounds) is nothing like current modern skydiving\parachuting you need to be trained to the equipment you are going to use and the type of jump done (higher altitude and freefall). If a current skydiver has a rip cord activated rig and transitions to a BOC (bottem of container throw out) they need additiona training as well. Robert

I don't understand your reply/post. Riggers are tested on general packing and regulations, which state following manufacture instructions is a must. A Reflex with a poptop not seated properly is not following manufacture instructions. A rigger is not required to be able to pack all rigs, but should refuse to pack a rig that he/she cannot do properly (ie not have a manual or skill/training). I have seen bad pack jobs on Javlins, the most popular rig out there. Getting a reserve repack is not an emergency a rig owner should carefully choose their rigger just like they choose a doctor or lawyer. They both have licenses to practice but also have areas of speciality. All three can save your life but a rigger is preemptive since you don't know when you will use his/her work. One should check references and look at pack jobs that a rigger has done in advance of needing one should correct any issues with having any type of equipment. Robert

Have you contacted Mitch Arnold in Colorado, he was willing to do a course for just myself if I wanted a Strong rating. I am going for my Vector instead to start. Contact me and I will pass his email address along, I won't publicly post it.

Here is my opinion as a rigger and Reflex owner. First of all the catapult is not a bad idea, I've had two reserve rides but nothing that the catapult would have done anything for (both low speed, nothing special). All the catapult is intended to due is help correct a horseshoe malfunction. Second all rig manufactures have people that worked for another manufactures at one time or another and use ideas from each other that are real good (ie three ring, BOC, bridel protection ect) so if it were that important all rigs would have it. Third removing it makes the reserve pack volume smaller. As far as packing the reserve Reflex and Racers get a bad rap for packing, not true. I can pack a racer or Reflex FASTER than a Javlin and make them look great. Anybody that claimes they are hard needs proper training end of story. If a rigger complains about special tools is crazy, just one T-bodkin for Reflex and two for Racer plus soft bodkin (long Cypres cord made into a long closing loop), every rigger should have these tools. Forth if a Reflex or Racer has a gap in the pop top it is the rigger that does not know how to properly pack one, following the manufacture instructions plus training from an experienced rigger whom has packed them should fix this issue (FAA states a rigger MUST follow the manufacture instructions when packing a reserve). I don't even charge extra to pack a Reflex or Racer, unless the Racer needs a new closing loop which should not be that often due to the closing procedure. Robert

Shoot Sunpath an email, they are very good about answering any questions.