kenneth21441

1) What should be my expectation of my rigger for this inspection/repack process? 2) Short of sitting through every repack, how do you know what happens? 3) How do you find a rigger you REALLY trust? #1: that the rigger will do a 100% inspection of the canopy, lines, slider, harness, ripcord etc, plus to make sure that their are no updates or AD's on the canopies and/ or harness assembly. Waht I do is provide the customer with a detailed report of this..sort of a check list that shows what I found and what or if any problems would come from this. This sort of answers question 2. As far as #3 that is up to you. It could be his/ her personality, wahy they maintain themselves, how long they have been a rigger, who trained them, shop well kept, etc...Also referrals from others who they trust. All these may help assist you in finding that special rigger for you. of course you could in effect take the course and test to be your own rigger, then just rig for yourself.Then You know what you want done etc.... just my two cents on this area. thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Thanks for that great information on the Manta. As that was the canopy that I used to get current back a few years ago. Back in the 1990's it was the Mighty Mack and Laser 9 canopies. I liked the Mantas handling being its large size was like the landings that i was used to in on the military rigs. So I purchased a manta for my new Vector and after over a hundred jumps still think its a great canopy. Im not into the higher wing loadings due to thinkgs can happen and I want to be here tommorrow. Thanks again for the history of this good canopy. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I really like to just keep it in its electronic formatt. So I can read it from my home PC or laptop. As most of the other manula are avaiable on line I now have my manuals at a click of a mouse. Of course I double maintain files on the hard drive, my seagate exteral and my little usb zip strip. Of course once and a while Ill further go on to make a CD. i could not see spending 85 dollars for soemthing you can just down load. Plus all the paper just makes a filing mess with too much other paper work. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I know here that you can get it at my local Jerry Springer try out (Wal-Mart). Ive found work well as soon as you flatten them some to slide onto the link. Also you can try the hardware store. If possible take the link with you to make sure that the inside diameter will work. Cost is alot cheaper then those sold at the gear stores and are sold by the feet. I hope that tis helps. thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I was refering to a non rigger doing this. With no Rigger on site watching them. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

First off if this is true. What they are really doing is Illegal (Against the law) as reguards to the FAA that is. Secound: It is hard to believe that some fool thinks that they are qualified based on the number of jumps etc.. If they really were good they would take the test and do what they need to do to get that FAA License to be a rigger. Sure it would lesson the liabilty on myself if that person burns in.... since that person was in the wrong. But if they look at the pack data card they will still look at the last rigger. Ive known of one person who penciled a riggers name in just to save the rig from being repacked and that was the last time they were allowed to jump in this area/ So best advice is dont do it.... If you are that cheap then trust your life to walking then driving. Some People are just TSTO (Too Stuipd To Live). Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I agree 110%. Cite as from USPA. year, etc, Check out APA.org if still not decided but for a college to say you cant not use the internet that is total BS. I could see not being allowed to use certain unconfirmed sites. Like private ones.. but for a company and/ or peer reviewed site. that instructor must be smoking crack. or just TSTO (TOO STUPID TOO LIVE). CITE WHERE FOUND. USPA Site. Just my two cents on this. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Bob, and his sister live in Battle Creek, Mi between Kalamazoo and Marshall. Battle creek is famous for Kelloggs ceral. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I would like to thank everyone for the input on this subject as it was just a mind blower going through the manual and not seeing anything on the subject. But then you look at the canopy and there it is a gromment that has not a single use, except to let more air pass through it.... verses having some material over it. Ive got three of these canopies and now know what to do with them more so. Jumpem all and let the nylon hit the air. Thanks once again and love how this information is able to be passed down so fast. thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Of course I see no problems in letting somone pack a tandem rig or any other rig for that matter. As long as a Rigger is on site to answer and observe the packing process. Along with additional measures of actual rigger checks are used if needed. Of course in such matters the manual should be available for review. Just my two cents on this matter. As I have caught mistakes by regular jumpers. Like one who was repacking his main and was stowing the lines in reverse order meaning starting the last stow where the locking stows go. Would it work? most likly, Could it cause a problem? maybe. But I was not going to let him have an issue. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Before the MC4 design there was the MT1xx model from I believe to be in the early to mid 80's knowing how are government works this design could be from the 70's. Who knows. But I remember the MC4 series coming out in the early part of the 90's as a replacement for the Mt1. Just cant figure out why the Mt1 does not have this gromment and the MC4 does? Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

But thats basically what the slider is suppose to do. In reference to the reefing lines that are used on the Large cargo parachutes to slow the opening down. Maybe this was added in the design factor to add a reefing or maybe a center line. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I have often wondered why the MC 4 canopy has a large grommet placed on the center cell near the bridle line attachment. I've looked it all over the T.O. and found no information or use for it like attaching a static line or center line to it or so forth. The only thing that I could come up with was as a way to release some of the internal pressures during opening like that of the vent cap on the MC1 and T10 series rounds. Ive tried to email Para-flight on this question to no aval. Does any one have any ideals on this.? Thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Is this ZP material?? It will take some time usually about five jumps or so to let the cells of the material open up. I would say that you just practice and get a technique that you find usefull. Dont let the canopy control you but you control the canopy. Once you get the air out, Keep some weight on it to prevent it from basically filling up. Take your time. Hope this helps.... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I personally pack my own rigs. I dont care if the plane is going up or not. So that way I do my own layout, etc. That way if something happens I only can blame one person myself. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Well said and I completly agree. Too many jumpers these day feel that I have a skyhook, AAD, RSL... etc.. and this will save me. Somewhat true and somewhat not. These are great backups in the just in case. But not the best if you think it will as your only save. I remember the jumper who decided to let his crypress save him by not pulling and letting it fire at its firing range. This person earns my TSTO Award (Too Stupid Too Live). Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I guess that is why I deal in a certified check / money order. At least I can look it over for the water marks and all. I never send anything until that comes and it comes throught the good old snail mail. I hate to see people get ripped off. As we think we can trust others to do the right thing, but then again we dont. Its people like this that cause problems for us hard working / trust worthy folks that want to do good. While the web is great in getting the word out for items it does have it down side. This being it. Deal in trust/ Deal in faith/ make a trust worthy deal for us all. Just my two cents here.... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Those were the days when skydiving was dangerous and sex was safe. I must see if I can really get a chance to check out if I can find a copy of the series, as ive never seen it. But listening to Bob Sinclair talk about those days gives me more respect for the founding fathers and mothers of our sport today. Love the pics that you had posted. Thanks, Ken. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Your correct, in that assumtion. I already speak two other languages. One of course Spanish as it helps you anywhere you go, but you never know. When and where youll need these languages. I am still getting offers to go off and translate Arabic. Well that is a job offer but not when you have a wife/ children. That is not possiable any longer,. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Their are many pistols out there that are small and cheap. But note that you get what you pay for as far as being up to par in reliablity and functions. These cheap pistols are just that chaep. Easy to make and all. Usually called relying on springs and such to move this firing pin, ejector to fire. so this they usually phyically do not have a external hammer system and the safeties are usually harder to move and are small, just as the pistol is. So as far as a personal recommendation its hard to say what you are after but watch out for these cheap pistols. If you do purchase one besure to talk with a gunsmith or so on its operations (things that they can tell you about it not just point and shoot) and of course have it safety inspected ..... Just my two cents on this area,. Thank you Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I am sorry to say that the Governor of the Great Lakes States bites. Since 2001 the state has lost over 300,000 jobs. I guess with can also blame it on that NAFTA, but still compaines are still leaving the state and moving to other states or Mexico. Maybe we should move to Mexico or/and learn Spanish. Here I am out of work for the past nine months, sending out tons of resumes and not a single deal. Then I try to go on assistance and no. You make too much money from nothing. Then go to the Local Wal-mart and see alot of these illeagals getting the assistance and all. So I am thinking about a moving out of the state where I can find a job. Now that the governor is on her 2nd term I can only expect to see more cuts and of course more jobs to move out. Now shes in Germany hoping to bring in some jobs to the state, when she needs to be thinking about the companies that are here. Yeah, lets raise the taxes. Lets raise the sin taxes; I see no issue here. But when and where will it stop..When its true the automotive industry is hurting, it just shows that these companies give and give to the unions and then all these recalls. Why is that possible? recalls after recalls when our foreign compution (Toyota, Honda) are making a better car, cheaper with very small recall ratios. I guess the writing is on the way for the so called Big Three. Shape up or shipper out to nothing. Our nation as a whole has become a welfare state where we are helping every Abduallah, Shako, etc... with aid but we cant even take care of our veterans past and present. Sorry just venting off some stuff that has been bugging me... No need to reply if you dont want to as these are just my thoughts on the articles as seen through what I have experienced or gone through. Thanks, Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

ive got two sets of risers that have been turned into some what egg shape from not ever being turned.this is the middle ring or bottom ring on the riser...... just turn it a little to make sure that it moves freely and no grass or other things are stuck between the rings..... and done this once a month or so depending on use.... ken.. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Just the top of the subject: I would cover 3 ring maintance (turning of the rings to prevent ware on just one area)(Ive seen a few rigs that this was not done and the rings are now somewht egg shaped... on a personal note Il always turn mine about every few jumps), riser bendng and twisting at least once a month (preventing nylon forming one sharpe), lubrication/ cleaning of the cutaway cables when replacing them back in place, Gear inspection of 3 ring, proper pin placement (on main and reserve), buckle (metal hardware) inspection for cracks, rust, even have them move the webbing that is routed throught the buckles to check that webbing are for ware, checking to get reid of twist in the control lines when repacking-at least every jump or every so offten to prevent ware and tare on the line, etc,..Also cover what damages can occur if you do not place the hook and pile tape back together after jumping..IE.. hook can damage nylon webbing and gather crap like grass, and all those other things. Hope that this information helps,.... Just some information. thanks, ken Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

Thats a great ideal.Ill try that one for this. Im just worried about someone messing with it.. durining shipping etc.. Thanks, Ken. Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith

I am a rigger. But my understanding of the regs is that the jumper packs his main .. but a certified rigger can also...but there is no way to seal this parachute,.,,with a riggers seal.. As it will be in the mail and there is no real control over it then.. so someone could do somthing... Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith