Unstable

I know it's a long shot, but what if Mile High took these ladies up for a free tandem. Maybe that will blow the cobwebs out from between their ears and teach them to relax. =========Shaun ==========

I read a news stoy last week about a kid who was suspended for a week from school for saying something naughty in class. This is what happens when you hire morons to write news. =========Shaun ==========

I've relined a canopy or two on a Cam-based Pfaff Bartack machine..As a matter of fact, Missouri Sew has about 3 of them in stock for about $1500. The big complaint I've head (folks, please help me if I'm off-base here) is the Cam-driven bartackers allow the cam (about a 9" Diameter disk plate) to take the bulk of operating wear, and being nearly impossible to replace. A good MR friend of mine has a contact for a machine shop in NYC that specialized in rebuilding/manufacturings cams for old bartacking machines, I think he paid just over $1100 for a new cam alone. I've been practicing and practicing and practicing a decent 'immitation' bartack on my 20u's, and they just don't look *right*...I wouldn't do a main reline on that yet.. =========Shaun ==========

The more I think of it the more I realize that building a new PC really wouldn't be that hard..I think the material costs, however, may surpirse folks looking to get one to use as a novelty more or less... . Older jumpers, is the PC cut on a block of Bias? The skirt is a 4-needle stitch? That may be hard to get ahold of... The PC's were made of Taffada (spelling?) ~ I wonder if they ever used a more modern Lo-porosity fabric, and if it would affect the opening characteristics at all.. =========Shaun ==========

The folks at Aerodyne are straight shooters ~ I think the thing to do is call and ask them directly. I'd sure like to hear the deal too, so plz post.. =========Shaun ==========

....I'm guessing something to do with homeowners associations. I pity the fool that lives next to that lady and paints their mailbox an unapproved color. =========Shaun ==========

What I don't understand is why it bothers them so much. I used to live 1.5 Miles right off the end of a major international airport. You just get used to it.... =========Shaun ==========

What is interesting reading the airport complaint blog is how few of the complaints were directly related to the skydiving operations..I just wonder why this lady has singled out the Dropzone among all airport traffic. The complaint is full of 'low flying' Cessna's, Buzzing Yellow planes (Crop dusters???), Helicopters, et cetera. If this singles out the Dropzone, it sounds like a case of economic discrimination or a law that would place restrictions on one entity on the airport but not others. Stratostar would be the expert on those particulars, but something just doesn't add up..... *edited for spelling only. =========Shaun ==========

No deal. =========Shaun ==========

BWAAAHAHAHAHAA Hey guys I found the best Noise complaint yet!! Who here has read the Longmont Airport Complaint Blogspot?!? You've got to check this out. Clickly So there you have it. They're flying their airplanes and being jerks. You can't make this stuff up, that's the complaint. *edited to fix clicky =========Shaun ==========

Yeah, but on another video posted by this lady, she actually took some time to respond to some of her critics. It's interesting that she's gone so aggressivly after the Skydiving operation and not the airport itself ~ does anybody have stats(or were they already posted) of airport usage by the DZ and other GA/commercial aircraft? =========Shaun ==========

I spent some good time digging through all those posts... Unfortunatly they all left more questions than answers. =========Shaun ==========

RLY? Again, any links to the incident would be VERY interesting. WIthout getting into the philosophies of AAD reliability and Maintenance, stuff like 1. Calibration 2. Maintenance 3. Battery replacement & management 4. Correct Rigging All play a part in a student hitting the ground at 120 mph. My guess is that there were a number of factors in play that allowed the AAD it's opportunity to fail. =========Shaun ==========

Yeah, and their links labeled *new* are from 1998.... =========Shaun ==========

I use a bit of wax below the cascades when I reline or do any brake line work. Generally I think it reduces the wear of the lines rubbing against ring. I know a lot of riggers that do this, I thought it was pretty common.... =========Shaun ==========

More out of curiosity than for any good reason, I've followed the Astra AAD for about 8 years now, although I've never owned one. Interesting AAD's ~ I've always wondered if they would have farred better had they come out later, but that is neither here nor there (Riggerrob has posted some excellent threads as to the pros and cons of the Astra, I'm sure a search will provide good information for those deciding if they are a viable alternative to a Cypres or Vigil. However, I've also noticed that Paragear has pulled them from their catalog, and I'm not finding as many posted. Does anybody in 'the know' have information as to whether or not FXC has discontinued production or support of the Astra? =========Shaun ==========

I want my tax money back if that's where it's going. =========Shaun ==========

But srsly, what did you get? We want to hear! And don't worry, I won't post anymore "Shoulda gotta Racer" posts.. promise. =========Shaun ==========

+1. =========Shaun ==========

Councilman, I'd be interested in your opinon on using various needles for rigging applications. Do you keep your work on container systems to round nose, or do you ever use leather wedges or other types? =========Shaun ==========

Excellent post, thank you! Clickly =========Shaun ==========

Yes. But they were on a 1977 NAA Chest reserve I am rebuilding for practice for a MR exam, which has been clearly identified as unairworthy. This is all practice. =========Shaun ==========

I had the exact same issue sewing through the exact same material on my 20u..One layer of Cordura sandwiching a piece of plastic stiffener with 3/4" trim tape to top it off. I Bought a set of 'lether wedge' needles from an Industrial Sewing Machine Company here in KC, and they chewed right through it. The needles are shaped more like a ball/wedge, which more or less move the material out of the way rather than piercing through it. One I started using LW needles for thick material, I realized that there wasn't much my 20u couldn't sew through... BTW, I envy the Consew 199r....If I had one of them or a Pfaff 138, I think I'd be a happy rigger....

Yes. I have a new 2K3 with Double tuck tabs & Magnetic riser covers, absolutely superior pin protection, built with the best materials (7K lbs webbing) and it flexes with my body. I would put it up against any of the rigs out there. =========Shaun ==========

+1, well said friend. I jump an argus in my 2K3 with 2011 cutters, and I am doing so until I have $ to invest in something else. My logic is based on a choise between jumping the argus or jumping no aad at all, in which case I believe jumping the argus is safer. This thought process is based on a simple comparison of lives saved versus alleged malfunctions (I tend to think that some of the circumstances around the failure reports are fishy, but that is neither here nor there). =========Shaun ==========