beezyshaw

I wouldn't try this at home; leave calculations of lineset lengths and trim to the manufacturers. So, my personal recommendation is if you want a great-flying canopy with continuous lines, GET A NITRO! (ok, ok, a little bit of shameless self-promotion here)

Few people know this, but here's what a Fusion is...it IS the Nitro rib, unchanged. A bit of the taper of the Nitro was removed to make it less responsive, and the winglets and mesh were omitted for simplicity in construction.

I share your concerns, too, and I agree that the only "guarantee" is that you "will" land; but even with a jumper able to fly the reserve, things like off-dz landings, forced downwind landings, etc. are still why I always advise enough square footage over you to help lessen the risks of landing injuries.

Of course you know the "market" has already driven canopy makers to make UNSAFE reserves (as far as the good/safety of the sport) when it comes to reserve choices. When I worked for a company that builds reserve canopies, I was asked many times "what is the right size reserve for me?" and my answers hopefully made people stop and think a little bit. A reserve that can't land you with only minor injuries with NO input from the jumper could very well be the reason you live the rest of your life crippled. It must be taken very seriously that your AAD might open your reserve because you are unable to. Do you really think that a sub-100 ft. reserve, loaded at 1.5 or 1.6 is going to set you down gently with the brakes still stowed? Or still with some line twists in the canopy? Remember, if your AAD fires, your reserve will be well under 500 ft. when it opens. I also remember hearing Manly Butler (who certainly knows his stuff) saying that he doubted "very seriously" if some of the tiny reserves could actually pass all the tests for certification, specifically in the total velocity requirement. It seems that a loophole in the certification is in how one accurately measures that total velocity.

I can't remember his full name, but "tall guy" Kevin is the biggest guy I ever saw at a dz. And for sure Zack is smaller than these ladies y'all have mentioned.

I somewhat disagree with the theory that psycho packing causes a "slower" opening. As the co-inventor of the method, and without question the skydiver with the most experience in the sport on the technique, the "slower" opening myth is based on the fact that the pack job is clean and orderly. Thus, compared to really crappy packing technique, openings can be slowed. But, a properly done standard pro pack and a properly done psycho pack will open without any discernible differences. So, now to the point of your post, when done properly the psycho pack will ease the task of bagging your main considerably. Maybe you can come to PIA Symposium in January and attend my seminar/demonstation of the packing style.

Maybe I was not clear in my post saying you couldn't have risers in that configuration. I didn't mean it would not be safe or mechanically correct, I only meant that nobody builds and sells risers in that configuration. Technically, it would be a stronger type-17 riser with the large ring on the end than with a small ring.

Wait a second, are you saying mini-risers(type 17) can be built with large rings on them like are used with type 8 risers? I don't think so. Now if you only mean that mini risers with small rings can be connected to a harness with large rings, that is true.

Like I said, you must use a modified steerable round canopy.

Actually, most of you guys are completely wrong about this. I have done this many, many times with a round canopy. The one problem with a surplus canopy is that it probably won't be modified with steering vents, and that is a must to do this correctly. Also, it occurs to me that the canopies sold in surplus stores have no lines on them, so that's going to be pretty tricky. But using a 7TU or LL cheapo, what you do is get two "lauch assistants" to hold the canopy up as you run with the car (ATV) and it just lifts you right up and you can steer back and forth behind the vehicle like crossing the wake water skiing. It used to be what we routinely did on days too windy to jump at the dz. Use a rope about 300 ft long and you get some pretty scary altitude. You have to keep the vehicle out in a big open area and make really large radius turns to keep the rider from getting close to obstacles. (Don't drive down to a tree line and make a 180, the canopy will go out over the trees.) Also, be sure to launch INTO the wind. Of course a pilot or jumper would figure that out, but wuffos can be pretty ignorant of the basics. When you're done, the vehicle just stops, and you decend from about 100 feet. Hard hats, skateboard knee and elbow stuff might be advisable, too. And, like everyone else says, don't forget the video.

Yes, children, we're kidding around here. Do as I DO, not as I SAY!

I'll tell you about "old school". I still have what I used for a pilot emergency rig when I ran a dz in the 70's. Sport-24 in a B-4 container, but attached to a Perry Stevens sport harness. The lead seal is so old it has turned completely white. It will have been packed 30 years in 2005, so to demonstrate that canopies will still perform as advertised after long storage, I plan to deploy it on it's 30 year anniversary. A couple of years ago I said I'd jump it, but I think tossing a drop test dummy is a better idea (I'm old, not stupid!)

I'm thinking that they would enjoy a new Nitro or Blade canopy!

How 'bout this..."I have the smallest rigging kit in the world. It's filled with lead, and only weighs about a gram"!

Gosh, I always use about 6 turns of the thread so that my pin won't get accidently pulled. So maybe if I had to use my reserve it might be a problem?

I guess my pud was shoved so far up there that I couldn't get my shit out. So I went to plan B and dumped immediately.

I reached behind me, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get my shit out, so I went to plan B and dumped immediately.

slotperfect chutingstar NightJumper Mark Baur jlmiracle bbarnhouse councilman24 fields Rigger53 USSkydiver SkymonkeyONE Kim Griffin Sangiro riggerrob Andrew Whyte The Anvil (?) CSpenceFLY beezyshaw

Yes, they are one and the same. As the originator of the psycho pack/precision pack, we only decided to change the name to get away from the funny looks of people when you said "I psycho pack" my canopy!

If the components (in this case the soft connector links) are "approved" components (meaining they have received TSO approval), then it is entirely up to the rigger to determine if those connector links are suitable for use with a particular canopy. Conversly, if a connector link has not recieved TSO approval, no manufacturer of a reserve canopy can approve their use with a TSO'd canopy (if that canopy is being used as an emergency parachute). Advisory Circular (AC) 105-2c is an interpretation of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's) that allows a rigger to determine compatability of separate components. Here is what the FAA says: 11. ASSEMBLY OF MAJOR PARACHUTE COMPONENTS. a. The assembly or mating of approved parachute components from different manufacturers may be made by a certificated appropriately rated parachute rigger or parachute loft in accordance with the parachute manufacturer's instructions and without further authorization by the manufacturer or the FAA. Specifically, when various parachute components are interchanged, the parachute rigger should follow the canopy manufacturer's instructions as well as the parachute container manufacturer's instructions. However, the container manufacturer's instructions take precedence when there is a conflict between the two. b. Assembled Parachute Components Must be Compatible. Each component of the resulting assembly must function properly and may not interfere with the operation of the other components. As someone who has been involved with manufacturing of TSO'd parachutes for many years, here is something that I see as a bit of a grey area; unless a reserve canopy manufacturer specifically says (like in the owner's manual for the canopy) that you CANNOT use a particular component (brand x soft link) then it is up to the rigger to determine the compatibility and can use the link with any reserve that in his opinion is compatible. Many manufacturers feel they must "approve" all components themselves, but the way I see it, the FAA doesn't think so.

Hey Judy, Chris, Mike, and all. Sorry that I'm not going to be able to juggle my schedule, so I won't be there this weekend. I gave Chaoskitty a couple of ideas for the "special" raffle, but as far as the gear discount raffle tickets, put HiPerUSA on the list for a 50% discount on a Nitro or Blade canopy. Thanks for thinking of Kristi and Haley Martin and all your efforts to help them through this difficult time. EVERYONE who can possibly make it to West TN Skydiving this weekend, PLEASE come out and skydive! Remember, as Chris would say "I think tonight's party night".

I had a layoff of about 4 years. When I went to the dz to jump again, I insisted on going out last on a 16 way. Flew past a few slower divers, stopped in my slot, picked up the grips, and had a totally normal skydive. It's all about preparation. I'm not suggesting that for someone with a hundred jumps, but just saying get your mind right, be comfortable, then GO JUMP! (Don't forget to smile.)

My mentors in skydiving taught me this almost 33 years ago, and it is the rule I live by to this day... If you can control what's above your head, land it. It doesn't have to be pretty, just as long as you walk away from a landing it is a good one. Many people have the MISCONCEPTION that somehow their reserve is "guaranteed" to work properly. Remember, it's a square parachute just like your main. Always, ALWAYS, land your main unless you know your going to be hurt trying to do so. "Better the devil you know..."

Yea, no doubt. That missle-shaped dummy weighed over 600 lbs. if I remember correctly, and had about a 12 inch diameter. I think we estimated around 600 mph! The AAD fired at 2000 as planned, but the pilot chute for the canopy was just starting to come out of the pack at impact! It landed in soft dirt at the back of Tullahoma airport, we knew exactly where it went in, but never even found a trace! We figured it must have augered 6 or 8 feet underground. Now THAT'S a high speed impact! After that, we set the AAD for like 5000' and never had any more problems.

So, 300 mph! Thinking about the density of a bowling ball, my hunch is that's about right. Please, don't anybody get any ideas and try to skydive with one of these (unless you're way,way out in the middle of the desert!! Thanks for working on this for me, everybody.