Unstable

I met a few Canadians a few years back at Eloy and they were jumping Sidewinders - If I recall, It was a pretty well built, sturdy 'no frills' rig. Anybody know if they are still in production? =========Shaun ==========

Buy a .99 pair of pliers/cutters from Home Depot. Work slowly to remove a single grommet. Dispose of grommet pieces and destroyed new pair of pliers. I'm SURE there is a better way, but for the few I do a year that has always worked. I'm interested to see what this thread comes up with. =========Shaun ==========

$55, and I've been charging that since 2007. I usually ask for it on my jump account. I do more pilot rigs than jumpers (I don't know why, but I've filled that niche in the KC Market) and I do about 2-3 a week during the season. =========Shaun ==========

I think they go to a small proportion of jumpers who hoard tremendous amounts of that material. I can think of 2 master riggers in the area with ~100 rigs piled in rooms and shelves and storage sheds, all labeled 'rigging training aids' that will never be used. =========Shaun ==========

WOW, I had a rigging customer come to me with the EXACT same scenario. He bought a rig that had no 4-year done and was approaching the 8-year. I called SSK, explained the situation, and we just paid for the 8-year. I'd like someone from SSK or cypres to chime in on that and their Standard procedure in those cases.. =========Shaun ==========

Let us know how it turns out - If you can retime and get this machine up and going for $200 then that will be a story to tell! =========Shaun ==========

1. What percentage of the PEP rigs that you repack/maintain have a square canopy in them? I must be the oddball rigger here. I have a healthy pilot customer base (I do about 4 pilot rigs a month for aerobatic pilots in the Topeka/KC/Wichita area) and I would say that about 30% are with squares. Of all those with squares, almost all are Softies. 2. Have you never packed a PEP with a square canopy in it? I Plan on doing one either tonight or tomorrow night. I have probably done about 75 reserve repacks of pilot rigs with square reserves total. 3. Do you ever recommend a square canopy to your PEP owning customers? Every customer that brings me a pilot rig with a square has jumping experience. Two pilots from Topeka actually took a First jump course (Static line) and made 5 jumps just to be comfortable landing a square in the event of an emergency. Three pilots are either current or former jumpers. I have no issue recommending a square canopy in a PEP rig to experienced pilots, but would not recommend for ride alongs. =========Shaun ==========

I second that motion. Let's get Nancy on here directly for an analysis. =========Shaun ==========

K - forgive the silly question, but on a reserve wouldn't it make more sense not to tack the ring/tab inside the riser on a reserve slink? That way the knot can be slid out and properly inspected as part of the reserve repack process? If you tack it inside, seems you make it difficult to perform a basic and critical inspection point....or if you see them tacked inside, do you just trust it's hooked up correctly?... As far as I know, Jumpshack does not allowing Reserve Slinks on their reserves (although they DO allow them on Racers, just not with their Angelfires. Clickly *Edited because I missed the point about NAA Reserves =========Shaun ==========

Yup, If I recall correctly, they stopped because of irregular stretch patterns on the lineset with the entire lineset done via that manner. Someone closer to the issue may jump in. I use them all the time on lower brake lines. =========Shaun ==========

Post some pictures! If this is just a display rig, then consider a do-it-yourselfer! Poynters Volume I will most likely have the instructions in the back - could be a good learning experience! =========Shaun ==========

Best advice in this thread! There is nothing wrong with older gear, given that it was maintained correctly and in good, serviceable condition. I know riggers that get uncomfortable seeing anything older than 8 years old, but I've seen 20 year old equipment in better condition and safer than a practically new rig that has been abused by its owner. I noticed that this thread made it 1 or 2 posting before someone started hollering about Racers. OK, I won't throw my opinion out there, but talk to your rigger. If you have a rigger that is comfortable taking care of one, and the price is right, don't be afraid, they will take care of you. =========Shaun ==========

+1, well said. The first question I would ask to this forum is whether or not the FAA has conducted a formal safety study in regard to skydiving at the airport? I know there are still pending deeming regulations, but that should not keep them from conducting a study. That should be as simple as requesting one in writing? Is the airport federally funded? =========Shaun ==========

I have a 212w140 that I rebuilt about 4 years ago and have been using it fairly regularly. I find it fussier than the 112 or Necchi double needle machines I have also played with. If you are observing an issue, throw it on here and I'm sure there are enough folks here to walk you through it. The biggest 'gottcha' I had when I began to understand mine was the result of the previous owner doing his/her own machine work - the top tension plate had a brazed extension and the rod that connected the foot lift to the tension release lever was an undersized piece of rod stock, cut at a 45° angle with tin snips, and would release the right needle thread slightly during the needle stroke. That was about 3 nights of playing with it to figure that one out. =========Shaun ==========

I live at the intersection of Edgerton Rd and K10, and I know that this dropzone was within ±2miles of my home. I would be really interested if someone could googlemap and show the spot. =P

Click Here For what you are looking for, consider a Firebolt by Parachute Labs. Fantastic all-around canopy, dreamy openings, and it has the performance envelope to land fast or slow. I upgraded to a Firebolt 160 after ~900 jumps on a Sabre2 150, and I find the Firebolt to fit a niche in performance, openings, and pack volume (Hybrid design). =========Shaun ==========

What?! I think T-handles are great tools - I use them with my ghostloops to make closing a racer easier. I use those for all sorts of things. If you throw them in the scrap pile, send 'em my way! =========Shaun ==========

Good point! Now it has John Sherman inserted into the Sandy Reid Holy Text, maybe next revision we can get Bill Booth-isms. Then Pat Thomas can have a stab at it. Then By that point we may have a balanced text! =========Shaun ==========

I found a lot of contradicting information in the last handbook - I thought it was funny how it stated time and time again to choose machines for your loft with reverse capability, but hardly any of the 'recommended' machines had reverse! I agree, the Singer 269 series and Pfaff 3334-era machines need to go by the wayside, and more information regarding bartac dimensions would be appreciated. I see the 42stitch center-stop 2mx19mm appears to be a good starting point. =========Shaun ==========

Fined a DPRE (Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner) - that could be used as a project rig during practical exams. =========Shaun ==========

Sad thing is your comment isn't that off base. Not uncommon to see folks drop $8k for a new rig with all the bells and whistles. I just had a rigging customer drop just over $3k on a container alone (bought at full msrp, no discounts), not including the AAD or canopies. Blows my mind. =========Shaun ==========

Did one of these come across your loft, recently certified? =========Shaun ==========

Interesting article! I agree and disagree with point #2 - seems to me that there are some very good up and coming gear manufacturers that have been in a niche market and are now breaking out. Peregrine Manufacturing, Basik Air Concepts, Innovative Parachute Technology are a few examples of newer guys in the market that are providing great components for the value. I guess I would rather have someone with an offbrand container + AAD than name brand container + no AAD.

So how does that work if you are a rigger in the area and pack at his DZ? Is he trying to take a cut of that too? =========Shaun ==========

Interesting! Here in flyover country, we see dropzones at small, uncontrolled airports that are largely full of older, experimental, or ultralight aircraft. Was this aircraft on the airports unicomm channel to announce the landing? =========Shaun ==========