linestretch

so what was the final outcome of all this? Where I'm at now, we relign out tandem canopies every 400 jumps....and there is no master rigger here. I think it's always been a gray area, and just like this forum, have heard arguements on both sides of whether or not you can relign. In my opinion, it's no big deal, but also, I dont' think just anyone should go and do. I'm eager to know what came from this. my pics & stuff!

gravey job. Any loft with a sewing machine can do this. (should be able to do this) my pics & stuff!

a infinity that's 3 years old, and a racer that's over 8. The racer is still the most comfortable rig I've worn, and it's still in great condition. my pics & stuff!

So Jennifer, what do you think? Pretty touchy subject. I got lucky with my first rig as it had a PD-160 in it. I've used it twice, and it was rock solid. I also have a PD-126, and have used that one twice two, and again, rock solid. And I'm about 200lbs out the door. I've also heard about the left turn story with some the Raven's too. Don't know what's that all about. I did hear a theory about "if your unconscience under your reserve, you fly off to another county". I also know that the Raven's generally pack smaller. From what I've noticed is that thickness of the wing is smaller than a PD, or other comparable reserves. This may be one reason people prefer them, as they can cram them into a smaller container. As for packing them, they are very easy to work with (for me anyway). The idea about demo'ing one is a good one. If you could, demo a Raven and a PD at the same time, and of comparable sizes. This will give you a good idea of the difference's. once again, good luck. my pics & stuff!

A very good debate is gonna come from this one. If I had a choice, I would NOT get a raven only due to the stories, and seeing others flare their raven's/micro ravens and having them collapse on landing. The question on the Dash-M's is a bar-tack on the A and B line attachment points. After a fatality or injury..or both (I'm pretty sure this was the cause of the service bulletin), they somehow decided that adding an additional bar tack to all the A and B line attachments on the canopy would make it better. I think "skydiving" had an article about the pull test and the conclusion wasn't really all that much better. Anyway, I have never jumped one, but just about everyone (not all mind you) I know that has had to jump one wasn't happy with the landing. They are easy to stall out on landing, they don't have a deep flare quality to them. A friend of mine broke her back from flaring and having the canopy collapse on her and dumping her on her ass/back. Granted, these jumpers probably should have practiced the flare up high. But other than all of that, the reserve will do you just fine. They are proven, and have saved a lot of lives. But, you should listen to everyone's input here, and make your own decision. good luck here is a link to a past thread about the service bulletin. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=66387;search_string=raven%20dash%20m;#66387 my pics & stuff!

I agree with elsinore. I didn't do any tandems there, but it seems much more people oriented, the students can mingle more with the locals, and I think pretty much everyone lands in the same general area. I think the tandems at Perris land in a different field, but I may be wrong. It's been years since I've jumped there. All in all, they are all good reputable drop zones. Elsinore is just my favorite. my pics & stuff!

that really doesn't make sense. Generallly a jumper brings the rig to have the reserve repacked, nothing to do with the main, unless otherwise specified by the owner. Lets say a guy brings in his rig without the main to get repacked. Are you gonna reject it because the main "could" be in bad shape? How about if the jumper has several mains he/she uses? Sec. 65.111 Certificate required. (b) No person may pack, maintain, or alter any main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping in connection with civil aircraft of the United States unless he has an appropriate current certificate issued under this subpart. However, a person who does not hold such a certificate may pack the main parachute of a dual parachute pack that is to be used by him for intentional jumping. I don't see anything there saying the rigger is responsible for the main. my pics & stuff!

if this guy is just now doing this (adding a still camera), he should probably go cheap, and just a rebel 35mm. Unless he has the money to dump on something else. There is a lot more added when you put on a still, not just weight, but....well, you should get the picture. There is no need to go straight to the deep end. Start off slow, you'll get there sooner or later. my pics & stuff!

I have the straboframe on my hawkeye and it kicks ass. Instead of just screwing it straight to the helmet, I mounted an aluminum plate on the flat area on top, and then mounted the straboframe base to it and the helmet. I was concerned about the fiberglass of the helmet cracking and weakening, or even pulling out. It's pretty sturdy. Also, use really friggin big ass washers on the inside of the helmet. my pics & stuff!

I TOTALLY agree with removing the main. Had a rigger buddy shorten the closing loop for another jumper who wasn't happy with the way his rig looked, and pretty much rushed him. In doing so, somehow misrouted the RSL, and on the next jump, the guy ended up with 2 out. I figure I'm gonna learn from this riggers mistake, and remove that part of the rig from the equation while working on it. my pics & stuff!

We have a guy at my home DZ in Oregon who had a hip replacement 2 winters ago (I think), and since then, the dude is jumpin his ass off. He can now ride his bike, run out a landing, and move without showing any signs of pain. He is one of the regular camera guys at the DZ, and I know he is very happy with his decision. my pics & stuff!

well, you could just do what makes you happy, and then end up getting a divorce and living with second thoughts for the rest of you life....hey, that's me, sorry. Do what makes you happy bro. my pics & stuff!

It's a personal thing. Parapak (in my opinion) will show wear spots quicker, and you'll need to be aware of that. It you take care of it, it will last a long time. I don't think it's any less durable than cordura. I personaly don't like it, but have seen plenty rigs that look sweet with it. my pics & stuff!

I too make our own for the use on the tandem rigs. It's very cheap and easy. Just like sundevil was saying with the needlenose pliers. I found that a little spit on the pryed open end helps too. If it aint spit, it aint love. my pics & stuff!

Here's one I had to open today. Take a look at the pin. Pretty odd. my pics & stuff!

I maintain a list of reserves, containers, and the corresponding closing loop length and pull force.*** I'm a slacker when I came to doing this, although I do know some lengths to work with. You wouldn't happen to have that list handy???? my pics & stuff!

it's not the reserve flap window, it's the cypres window that's cracked. Although, the reserve flap window's are dinged up a little. These rigs get used a LOT. Each container has roughly 2,000 jumps each. Some more, some less. my pics & stuff!

I was thinking of that too, but don't think it's the problem. It's a Brazilian plane, "Bandarandi" (not sure of the spelling). I'm pretty conscience of where the tandem instructors sit to see if the reserve pin is being pressed against the side of the plane, and I haven't noticed it yet. The instructors sit on the floor, (students get their own seats) and the plane climbs soo damn fast, that we are generally facing the tail, leaning against the bottom of the rigs. The door is pretty small, like a king air, but our students are generally pretty small too. That is a possibility though. The cypres window in all but one of the rigs are cracked. Maybe from smacking the top of the door on the way out. But, no problems with the cypres's. Just another thought...hmmmmmmm my pics & stuff!

4 are about a year to a year and half old. And one is only 2 months old. The newer one has the thicker (11 gauge) pin, and it's bent. RWS is sending me some new pins at no cost, and has been very helpful. I'll be sending the old pins back to them so they can investigate it from there. thanx for all the input. my pics & stuff!

I don't think the leverage tool was being used. And even if it was, I don't think it's enough to cause these issues. I have contacted RWS, and they are working with me, but I wanted some outside input. Thanx guys...and gals.

I just took over the riggin here and have 6 sigma tandems to take care of. On all but one, the pins are bent slightly, and I am wondering if anyone else has had this same problem or not. It doesn't appear that the bend would cause any additional pull force required to fire the reserve, but it is a concern. One of the rigs is brand new, and has a thicker pin on it, and is still bent. Any thoughts anyone????anyone???? take a look at the pics and see for youself.

golly gee wiz fella's, thanx. my pics & stuff!

*** Why only 500 on mini risers, even with taking care of your gear WHAT???? Dude, how many jumps do you do a year? BOTH my rigs have over a thousand jumps on them, and the risers are great condition. As many jumps as I do a year, replacing my risers every few months is a joke. This is just another piece of the gear that needs to be inspected by the owner and a rigger as you go. If the webbing in the risers break down that fast, then how often should you replace your leg straps? And I disagree that slinks are faster to replace. Maybe you have a technique that's faster than threading the barrel. I don' t like them, because as much camera as I fly, I don't the slider anywhere near my camera under canopy. To each is own I guess. my pics & stuff!