jbnote

I just got the same thing going on. Tried several different AAA batteries just to check that it wasn't the batteries. So far, I can't get any good info.

I know that UPT/Vector has a person whose main duty is to machine new/replacement parts for old Singers that aren't made anymore. I'm not sure if they'd be willing to share their time/labor, but it may be worth asking. If nothing else, they might be able to point you in a different direction.

lawrocket and jshiloh, Thanks for the tips (truly, I am not being sarcastic). I always figured the gross/extreme gross negligence clauses were a BS smokescreen. I guess those DZs where I've signed them (won't name names) just have them there as perhaps a first line of defense if an ill-informed jumper tries to sue. For example: Student: I'm injured because your TI did X,Y,Z. DZO: Sorry, but you signed the "Gross Negligence" clause, and our waiver is bullet-proof. Student: Oh shit, ok, I shouldn't have done that. He's right, this waiver looks totally legit. Live and learn I guess. I'm glad California seems to have started or added momentum to the trend of ditching the clause and making a more common-sense approach to the waivers and their legal possibilities. Truthfully, I'm surprised this is a state-to-state issue, but I know next to nothing about legal issues in skydiving. Thanks to you guys for helping us learn more. That said, I'm sure waiver/legal issues probably belong in a different forum . . . so we should switch to yelling about the TI so these posts don't get moved.

Note to all in Cali - waivers won't cover "gross negligence," which is "an extreme departure from the ordinary standard of conduct." While I'm no tandem master, I think that a woman falling ass first out of a harness ON EXIT shows a pretty extreme departure. If something worse had happened, that video... ------------------------------------------------------------- I beg to differ, every waiver I have ever signed at my home DZ or while traveling has the "gross negligence" clause in it. Search google for "tandem waiver" just to see a few generic ones and you'll find the clause in there. I've even signed a waiver that stated I would not sue the DZ/DZO etc. in the event of "Extreme Gross Negligence" which I found somewhat amusing. I am IN NO WAY defending ANY of what is on the video. Nor am I saying that the waiver would necessarily hold up in court. Any law student could punch holes in nearly all our waivers if they were paid well enough to do so. The U.S. is far too eager to sue, that's undeniable. Sometimes, it's justified, other times it isn't. Had this tandem ended up turning into a fatality (which we all agree came within a hair's breadth of doing so) then it would have been a clear case of "Gross Negligence" - at least from my non-legalese point of view. BTW - Laverne looks a bit like a dude.

I agree - put the vid back up. I think this is a good thread for people (including riggers) to chime in on. I've asked several riggers, fellow wingsuiters, and packers what they do, have seen, think is safe, unsafe, etc. Basically if you ask 12 people, you'll get 24 different answers. After all that, I've tried all three configurations: Standard (lines against bottom of rig) Grommet up (lines against bottom of tray, the jumper's back) Grommet down (lines against bottom of reserve) I took video of all three from a helmet-mounted GoPro aimed at my rig. The conclusions by rigger, me and whoever else was around to watch video was that "grommet down" was the cleanest d-bag extraction, most on-heading line stretch, and least hesitation. That said, I use a javelin rig with wingsuit corners and the Vector semi-stowless bag, and extra long bridle. My old rig was a Vector Micron with the same style D-bag and the results were the same. I'm sure someone will disagree with this practice. Truthfully, I still have the rig packed standard sometimes - especially when I forget to tell a packer how I want it packed - and I experience little to no difference.

Here are some bungee hooks that may work well: http://www.mcmaster.com/#bungee-cord-hooks/=gs4t9c http://www.mcmaster.com/#bungee-cord-locks/=gs4y81 Different bungee types can be found here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#bungee-cords/=gs50j3 I think Javelin loops are 1/4 or 3/16 inch diameter but don't quote me on that. I used to have a Vector micron, but never paid attention to loop diameter.

I just contacted Mike about a semi-stowless bag for my tjnk. Are there any issues I should know about for a vector to javelin retrofit? Trapezoid shape, etc? Grommet up seems like a good idea as well since I mostly fly a death-suit.

I'm looking to be in Montreal in late July. Any recommendations for sitfly coaches at the tunnel? I've worked with Chromy and others in Orlando before so I feel spoiled so far. Any help is much appreciated.

I'm not sure what ad you are all referring to. The ad for Roo Ritchie, is for her death due to a rare blood disorder. The incident in regards to the skydiver that didn't fasten her chest strap properly/at all is a different person completely. Roo was a very loved skydiver and please make sure you know the cause of death before making assumptions based on date of passing and age/sex of the jumper. As for safety and gear checks (specifically the check of threes) I'm a crusader for them. Make sure you always check your gear and the gear of all your jumpers before you get on the plane. Even the "skygods" that get on the load without gear will appreciate it. They just won't let you know it because they're too cool to let on. Be safe, Jeremy

Drop13, Yes, the Astra, Cypres, Sentinel, FXC have all had misfires before. What it comes down to are several things, these are what I made my decision on as well. 1) The cypres has had the least amount of misfires in their production history on actual skydivers. This makes it the most reliable AAD before you fall below the hard-deck. Premature openings probably kill more people than partial malfunctions. I have no evidence for that, but I would rather have a cut-away at 1000ft. than a premature deployment during any type of skydive. 2) What does the industry use the most? Look around your DZ, do the majority of people use a cypres? The answer is probably yes. There is a good reason for that. Since I have been jumping (a little over a year) I have seen the cypres AAD save 3 peoples lives. Unfortunately at a different DZ an FXC was another jumpers demise. What does your rigger jump? Probably a cypres. What do people on world records jump? Cypreses. There are even some DZ's (although not enough) that will not let you jump their planes without a cypres. Ask your rigger, and then call the gear store you plan to purchase from. Ask how many FXC's and Astras and Sentinels they sell. Then ask how many cypreses they sell. Talk to any skydiver that's been in the sport for more than 10 years and they'll say that the cypres is the best thing to happen to skydiving since parachutes. Jeremy

You could ask 10 people which helmets they like and get 15 answers. I will say that the Z-1 seems to be (for the money) the best deal. Here are some pros and cons: Pros: Full Face, hinged face-plate that opens up all the way out your line of vision unlike the Oxygen and Factory Divers that cut your vision in half under canopy when you open the face-plate, good snug fit, adjustable elastic around the neck, the face plate doesn't get old and wear many tiny cracks in it as Factory Diver, and Oxygen masks do, the chin clip is on once it's clipped, it's not comin' off Cons: The button to open the face-plate is a bit tricky at first, if you have a snug-fitting helmet a dytter inside the pocket will feel a bit akward at first, the replacement lenses are more expensive than that of the Oxygen and Factory Diver brand. The face-plate seems to be put on kind of cheaply, but I've heard of no problems. Hope this helps in everyone's next purchase! Jeremy

I would consult your rigger, or one of the riggers that view this thread first. Is 180 your exit weight, or your weight with normal clothers on? That will definitely factor in with your answer.

How about the Dash-M series, where can I find this information regarding other reserve canopies? Your response is extremely helpful Maretus. Thanks

Well my question was really based towards reserve canopy damage on opening. For intance, I'm 185 out the door with a 150 Dash-M reserve. I have a conatiner lock and go for the reserve, what are the statistics of the reserve canopy suffering damage on a terminal opening? Will center cells be ripped apart? Will lines be broken, or will the major safety factor be only in the landing?

About a month ago the first load of the morning went up at about 9:00. My skydive U. instructor and I look out at what seems like a perfectly good spot. Well, the uppers were really crankin' that morning and at 6K we look over and start tracking to the DZ, we pull at 4K and I realized I wasn't going to make it at all. Looking around for a safe landing spot, I remember the DZO talking about a Farmer McNasty, but since the DZ has several farmers around it, I hoped to God I wasn't about to land in his backyard. Luckily I didn't, and I landed right next to this guys patio where he and his son were having breakfast. I was as polite as possible, "Sir, I apologize for landing in your yard, my name is Jeremy etc. etc. He said, no problem and gave me his phone, I called the DZ and got a ride. He later came out to jump that week! A pretty cool guy all and all.