Unstable

I have 1 customer that I still pack a Swift 175 for, and IIRC, the partially flyaway break lines were relatively standard before fingertrapping became the norm. I don't believe there is a single fingertrap on the canopy, but is uses a 308-pattern zigzag =========Shaun ==========

I would disagree with that statement. In the height of the Argus, it was no less expensive than the Vigil and only slightly less (

Pfaff 138 or Bernina 217 - I generally steer away from the 20u's ~ used them for 6 years, owned 2 of them (blue and green), I find that even under 'best case' timing and maintenance, they do not keep bottom thread well regulated across a broad range of zigzag width and stitch length. =========Shaun ==========

I've seen one new vigil come with the notched closing loops. I used them, but I fail to understand how they are easier and/or save any time in making a correct closing loop. I know that after I pre-stretch a Cypres loop, measure, tie the final knot, and then stretch again, I will expect ~7mm from my original length for loops less than 75mm, and about 10mm for loops longer, and I can almost always get a closing loop (final length) within ±3mm. The new notched washers threw off my system. =========Shaun ==========

Hey hey hey let's make it mandatory to put FXC's or manual pin pullers on people's mains (also no more hand deploy, go back to spring loaded main PC's) so nobody ever forgets to pull again. =========Shaun ==========

I wouldn't miss it for the world. Hope to bring some tandems out. =========Shaun ==========

Oh I just remembered a good one.. About 4 years ago, a gentleman had a rig he left in his basement during a flood. The rig was parapack, and because of the slick texture, he didn't think it got wet and continued jumping it until the next reserve repack. I popped I open and found a green reserve. The reserve should have been white. Covered in mold. =========Shaun ==========

Dead mouse. In an airforce chest I purchased for $75 at some surplus store to get my 20 chest packs. =========Shaun ==========

They make very good stuff ~ Contact Nancy or Suzie in their office and they'll take good care of you. =========Shaun ==========

Any industrial sewing store can help. VT-2953, Bonded Nylon, B69 - I'm a big fan of sticking with approved suppliers (you can cross reference the industry standard vs the Government procurement designations (get those in the Poynters Manual) HERE Clicky I'm also a fan of digging into the DLA group and reviewing suppliers that have actually qualified their processes with the DLA and DCMA. I was recently at an Industrial Sewing Machine outlet and got to review some of the 'new' threads and types of bonded Nylon that are being used in Automotive upholstery - all the more reason to really dig into the material designations and make sure you are getting what you want to get. Edited to add------------------------------ I'll throw this table up from A-A-59826. Some of you Super-master riggers may want to look at A-A-59826 to make sure I captured the right group? =========Shaun ==========

I've seen a lot of legit photos and videos of some insane tandem stunts in Ukraine or Russia. I myself jumped at a semi-legit sport parachute group in Korea and saw things that would not fly in the states. 3-Person Tandems, putting a toddler in the same harness with (presumably) a parent, Tandem RW.... It doesn't surprise me in the least bit that this may have actually happened. =========Shaun ==========

I'm going on a limb here, but I'm guessing you stick with the 135x7 (don't know your specifics) #20 round nose, or do you lean more on the #19's? =========Shaun ==========

I think this is really smart. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Genera is just a solid color, no option Talon (isn't it on the same TSO Approval?) I wish more companies would offer a base model, no options, for a discount. I know RI has the Genera, Jumpshack has the Shadow Racer, Javelin offers a solid-black... They aren't just for new jumpers. A well-fit harness and a solid container will keep someone in the air and safe for thousands of jumps. You don't need custom pin-striping to match your jumpsuit. =========Shaun ==========

Good Point! I've never used a White Chinese 20u or the Consew/Sailrite knockoffs ~ my first 20u was a Green(ish) and my current model is a Blue (while we're being technical ) I want to preface that I can get a good straight stitch on a 20u. Replace the feeddog, needleplate, and foot with pieces just for a straight stitch, and then re-balance the top and bottom tensions. I can get a good zigzag on the 20u, if I put in the zigzag feeddog, needleplate, and put on a wider foot, and re-balance. The problems I've had (and are on every 20u I've used) are the thread tension balance as you crossover between 301 and 304 stitch patterns. What I see, even on a properly timed machine, when transitioning between 301 & 304, is the lock exists in the center of the work piece, but the bobbin thread has some degree of slack going into each stitch or at minimum, inconsistent. What I find interesting is that this phenomenon exists on every 20u I've used, mine or others. I've relined canopies using 20u's with a local DPRE, and his 'hack' on his machine was to increase to top thread tension to the point of being difficult to remove the work piece. I thought this was normal until I used the Pfaff 138 ~ which keeps consistent tension as you transition between 301 and 304. =========Shaun ==========

Hey sounds like the issue is resolved, but I want to be that guy and disagree with some of the advice to look at the 20u's out their knockoffs. I'll preface this with the fact that I know many skilled riggers and dpre's that would disagree with me, and I respect their opinions but hold my own. 20u's are not that good nor do I believe they are a good starter machine. My first machine was a 20u, and I've owned two of them now. I used one for 6+ years and cut my teeth on them for canopy repairs and basic container work requiring a zigzag. I think of a 20u as a 'One machine that does it all' but does it all at the b- level. I've rebuilt them, tuned them, refurbished them, and done repairs with not only mine, but others as well. I have a number of complaints with them. Many streamed once I spent time on a 143w and Pfaff 138 and saw the difference a better machine makes. Every 20u I've used has finicky bottom thread tension and needs minor tuning to go from a good zig zag to good straight stitch. When I started spending time with a good straight stitch and a good zigzag machine, I saw the quality of my work increase. It made me wonder where I would be if I started on a Pfaff138 instead. =========Shaun ==========

[offsubject] There really are benefits of a good SL/IAD Program. It's been a powerful tool in training new jumpers for the last 40 years, and at 25 jumps you can't tell the difference between a student that learned on Sl and a student that learned on the rope. =========Shaun ==========

YES! Good point. However, I would argue that in an audit situation, the term Industry standard practices quickly breaks down. Unless documented by a self-regulatory board such as PIA, industry standard practices really doesn't have any meaning. John Sherman uses a speedbag, everybody else uses a safety stow, so is he then producing nonconforming equipment per Industry Standard? =========Shaun ==========

I agree with that statement 100%. I think the line without further authorization by the manufacturer or the FAA takes precedence to the should of following manufacturers instructions. Now let's consider the ramifications of actually taking this stand. If I swapped out a Javelin Reserve Pilot chute with a dolphin, and I took the position as above ~ I would pit myself against the manufacturer and the FAA investigator from the FSDO office. Even if I had the data from my own drop tests, that pitts a respected gear manufacturer against a a local Senior or even Master rigger. =========Shaun ==========

John, This thread is absolutely fascinating ~ with multiple topics going here, maybe you can clarify something that has caught my eye, and I'm sure the eye of other riggers lurking this thread. Let me take Sunpath for example. Aug 2007 revision of their manual, page 6 states So then AC-105D, section 13.c gives us the direction (bold and italics added for the purpose of this post... So, Hypothetically if I decided to use a Dolphin Reserve PC on a Javelin Container, I would most assuridly receive flack from the Manufacturer. (I've actually seen this happen with JCO Metal reserve ripcords on Javelins). So then do we read the above section from AC105d to give precedence to the underlined section rather than the italicized section as the latter uses the qualifier should? I'm not trying to put fourth an argument here, but not only would a rigger need to present data to justify the decision (perhaps in the format you presented). Have you seen this argued successfully before? =========Shaun ==========

Good Lord, this discussion is too good to stay out of.

Evaluated Risk. I choose not to rely on my AAD, and without getting into a debate on the argus subject (enough of that on DZ.com) I respectfully decline to retract my original statement. =========Shaun ==========

I think there is the fundamental argument that an argus is going to be better than No AAD. I certainly believe so. =========Shaun ==========

Yeah, We had someone use one in a Mirage G3 for about 3 years. We ended up having a bag-lock and cutaway caused by an improperly connected pilot chute, but other than that, no issues.. =========Shaun ==========

A good, professional patch takes practice, and understanding of your sewing machine, and patience. From the images above, the rigger had 0 for 3. I opened up a reserve canopy about 3 months ago and saw a patch that had such uneven stitching that the lines actually crossed one another two times - I do not know how any rigger, especially a Master rigger, could let something out like that. =========Shaun ==========

I believe you would do more damage to the canopy patching that, even with good workmanship, than to leave it be. =========Shaun ==========