chutingstar

Just an FYI for those installing Vigils, interested in buying Vigils or using Vigils. Read this week's Rigger "Rant and Rave" at this link: http://www.chutingstar.com/riggerrantandrave.html Mike ChutingStar.com

17.5 MLW, is the the main lift web length. MOS is the container sizing...for a Mirage. You'll want to determine what main lift web, stabilizer and leg pad sizing you should have before buying something online. The best way to do that is see a dealer and get measured or call Mirage directly (since you seem to be looking at a used Mirage). 386-740-9222. As to the container sizing, you'll also need to determine what size canopies you'll be jumping and what container size range you are looking for. By the way, an MOS is built for a PD 126 reserve and 135 main. Mike ChutingStar.com

16.5 is Main Lift Web length 18 is leg strap length +3 is stabilizer length (plus 3 from standard length) Most of our rental Mirages are 19 19 +1 Our smaller rental Mirages are 16 17 Std. If you are looking for a used Mirage, you can get measured, call Mirage and they can tell you what size range you should be looking for.... Mike ChutingStar.com

Kelly, We charge $15 to open/reclose a reserve container inspected/packed by us to install/remove AAD or reserve handle. As for your main removal/assembly, we charge $25, which includes an inspection of the new main. But other riggers will charge more/less. Just ask beforehand. Mike ChutingStar.com

The funeral service for Georgia skydiver Ben Overman is Tuesday, Jan. 27, at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan, Ga. According to family members, Ben took his own life Saturday night. Ben was a regular at Atlanta Skydiving Center as well as other Georgia drop zones. He will be missed. The viewing is from 5-6 p.m. The service is from 6-7 p.m. McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson Street, Newnan. 770-253-4580. For those in the area, a group from ASC will be caravaning from the drop zone. Family members are requesting donations be sent to Boy Scouts of America, Atlanta Area Boy Scouts, Ben Overman Scholarship Fund, 1800 Circle 75 Plaza SE, Atlanta, GA, 30309. Mike ChutingStar.com

I highly recommend the inset stabilizers option ($50 on a G3...no extra charge on the G4). The inset stabilizers add to comfort as well as allowing the rig to hug your body for a better overall fit. Mike ChutingStar.com

They are supposed to be. Derek We record the results on the canopy (with a parachute ink stamp) and on the packing data card. ChutingStar.com

Burnquist and Hoffman spent a day jumping at Atlanta Skydiving Center last month with Orly King. Tony Hawk and others on tour stopped in to jump/make tandems as well. There should be an article in next month's Skydiving about all of them... ChutingStar.com

For the record, not only was the safety stow incorrectly made and with the wrong materials, but the closing loop construction was way off. In addition the bridle was not stowed in the manner described by the Thomas Sports Equipment manual. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Obviously the previous rigger didn't take the time to do so...and may have just copied what a previous rigger did, which is not acceptable. Mike ChutingStar.com

I just got an e-mail back from Chris Thomas... FYI: The freebag loop is supposed to be the traditional shock cord type. Also, for future reference, the reserve closing loop has a 26" overall length. From washer to start of fingertrap is 2" and the fingertrapped section should be 1.5". Mike ChutingStar.com

I could copy the one on there...but there is no guarantee that one was made correctly...I guess I can e-mail TSE. Mike ChutingStar.com

I opened up a 1-pin Tear Drop earlier today that seemed a little odd...although it may just be because it's been about 6 months since I've had one in my loft. The freebag loop was a piece of line fingertrapped inside itself with rubberbands in a larks head knot on each end. The manual isn't extremely clear on the freebag loop, but I believe the freebag loop should be a traditional elastic loop sewn with a zig-zag stitch. Is the rubberband/line loop correct? I think I'm losing my mind... Also, the manuals I have don't have a schematic for making a new closing loop and this one is a bit worn. Does anyone have the measurements for the fingertrap and overall length? Thanks for your help... Mike ChutingStar.com

Amen. Removing the main also allows you place the reserve canopy bulk in the proper places and shape the reserve container during closing. Mike ChutingStar.com

She called me last month and was at the airport on her way back to the Czech Republic. She plans to return to Atlanta Skydiving Center next year, but is not here right now... Mike ChutingStar.com

Yes...we have a few D-4 Dolphins with similar-sized reserves and mains used for student training/rentals at Atlanta Skydiving Center. Altico recommends a 200 sq-foot reserve for the D-4, but owner Mike Furry says one size up/down is okay as well. And the Fury 220 fits in the D-4 just fine...the main will fit fine as well. Mike ChutingStar.com

My wife and I are Glock owners...26 and 19C. Both hold CWPs for Georgia and compete in Glock competitions whenever we get a chance. Got into it for personal defense, but now target shoot for fun.

There has only been one death at ASC...you can ask all the current and former staff members you like. Your number is incorrect. I'm sorry if you didn't feel welcome when you made your few jumps at ASC and they made you pay beforehand as most large DZs do. I don't know how you supposedly know so much about ASC and have only jumped at the DZ once. ASC is one of the few DZs that doesn't skimp on altitude. Hop n Pops are routinely from 5-7 grand and the Super Twin Otter nearly always lets jumpers out at 14,000 feet unless there are cloud issues. We also have staff members that have worked at Monroe and/or Thomaston and would never go back. Whoopdeedoo...you can always find people like that for any place. My issue is that you continue to spread incorrect information about deaths at ASC, lower altitudes and are just plain ignorant about what goes on at ASC since you haven't jumped here on a regular basis whatsoever. Yes I own a business associated with ASC and I also have the majority of skydivers in the Georgia and Alabama area trusting my loft with their rigging work...even if they choose to jump more at other area DZs. There is a reason for that...the quality of work at Chuting Star Rigging Loft is one of numerous reasons that ASC is a safe, fun DZ to jump at...come join us sometime again. See ya, Mike ChutingStar.com

Clay Fowler...your facts are a little off...there is not a tandem instructor who lives off the runway and drives to skydive atlanta to jump every weekend. But sure, there are skydivers and instructors who live closer to Monroe or Thomaston and drive to Cedartown to jump at ASC as there are the other way around. We have former Thomaston and Monroe staff members now at ASC just as there are probably instances the other way around. Every DZ has its loyal following. I'm not sure what part of "ASC Blows" though: Is it the student/rental Mirage containers with PD reserves and Cypres II's and PD Navigator, Sabre2 and Spectre mains? Is it the Super Twin Otter flying every day? Is it the air-conditioned/heated carpeted packing area with free lockers for experienced jumpers? Is it the experienced staff of freefliers and RW competitors? Is it the AFF instructors who now wear video cameras during AFF jumps for video debriefing? Is it the swoop pond with recently reseeded banks? Is is the couches, TVs, deck, team rooms and full-time cafe'? Is it the family vibe and largest fulltime staff in Georgia eager to help young jumpers? Is it our great mix of newbies, freefliers, bellyfliers and swoopers? Is it the great service from the only fulltime rigging loft in Georgia? Is it the gear store with the best service and prices on Mirage and PD products in Georgia? I'm just curious why this makes "ASC Blow."

no i dont think there has been any deaths at asc swoop pond.... You might want to do some research before you say that. All of the Georgia DZ's have had fatalities. ASC has had the most, and the most recent to my knowledge. I've have worked at ASC since its first day of operation in 1997. There has never been a death associated with the swoop pond. In fact, there has only been one fatality in 6 years...as Mark Shimell noted. Other area drop zones have had more and more recent, not that it makes them more unsafe...you just have your facts wrong.