Gary73

Members
  • Content

    497
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1
  • Feedback

    0%

Everything posted by Gary73

  1. On top of that, if you only spent two hours in a "first-jump course", there's no way you were taught everything you need to know to safely make an AFF Level 1 jump and practiced it adequately. No way. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  2. I want to stay with Verizon for their coverage, but would like to upgrade to a more capable phone. They offer a lot of different models - are there any that I should definitely avoid or consider? I apparently need texting, e-mail, speakerphone, GPS, qwerty keyboard, and Web access. Thanks! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  3. You mention the canopy size, but what's the jumper's wing loading on that canopy? As long as a jumper limits turns to 180 degrees below 1,500 feet, there shouldn't be any problems with an AAD firing in student mode, assuming a WL of under 1.0 PSF, as recommended for any jumper with under 200 jumps, Even so, from what I've been able to find out informally, student mode is more trouble than it's worth, even for students. It's incredibly rare to have a legitimate student-mode AAD activation, but not at all rare to have an accidental activation just because a jumper does a 360 turn at 1,000 feet. So yeah, FWIW I'd vote for normal mode in this case. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  4. Be aware that some riggers will not repack a rig if any of the components are more than 20 years old, regardless of their condition. So yeah, definitely check with your local rigger. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  5. Back in the days when the harness and container were two separate items, the DZ rigger loaned me his Green Star conventional harness for the weekend. We hooked everything up, I jumped, and upon deployment the main lift webbing came out of the adapter on the left side. The canopy went into a violent spin, but I was able to get it under enough control to perform a landing that I was able to walk away from. Turned out that Green Star used the wrong size quick-fit adapter and even with a proper turnback on the webbing, it went right through the adapter. More recently I found a reserve that was packed (by a DPRE) with a complete backflip in the lines. Same guy repacked a couple of rigs with expired CYPRESes. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  6. Use a standard coil spring instead of a torsion spring. You can vary the speed just by moving the attach point. Place a yardstick behind the sample and you should be able to get fairly accurate speeds from the video. (Don't forget the safety cable running through the middle of the spring!) "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  7. Parachute Recovery Systems Design Manual by T.W.Knacke Excellent book, with lots of drawings, charts, photos, and math. Available from Para-Gear. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  8. yes she did, it's not too bad
  9. Main side hangs on until the PC is released, then turns and tracks immediately. There's no specific training for what to do if the student pulls a pull-out handle but doesn't release it, but I've had success with both slapping the hand and grabbing the fabric and yanking it free. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  10. Yeah, they stay so that they can punch or pull the bag out, oblivious to the fact that they themselves are causing the pilot chute to be unable to lift the bag. Or maybe they just get off on "saving" the student. Either way, they're endangering themselves and their students. The S&TA and DZO need to tell them to stop. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  11. For those who missed it, there was another thread in General Skydiving Discussions about a student with a Pilot Chute In Tow malfunction on an early AFF level. This is almost always caused by the main-side instructor hanging on after the pilot chute is released. Remember what we teach in the AFF ICC: If the reserve-side is present, the main-side should always turn and track the instant the PC is released. Otherwise, the combination of the three burbles can prevent the PC from getting enough air to lift the bag. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  12. I teach, "this is he GF/BF that cheated on you...get rid of him/her!" Andy - Not sure that's the right comparison to make - some folks might want to strangle a cheating SO! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  13. Try Doug [[email protected]] at PISA. Or, if you have a 170, I can send you that myself. Last I heard, they still sell complete line sets for HeatWaves, with pretty good prices and delivery times. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  14. Two very different situations here: Pilot Chute Hesitation and Pilot Chute In Tow. PCH is caused by a weak throw or a weak spring (in ripcord systems). PCIT on AFF 1 and 2 is virtually always caused by the main-side instructor hanging on after the pilot chute is deployed. His burble reduces the drag of the pilot chute enough to keep it from being able to lift the bag. As is taught in the AFF Instructor Certification Course, if the reserve-side instructor is present, the main-side instructor should always turn and track the instant the pilot chute is released. I've seen plenty of PCIT problems when the main-side hangs on, and none when he departs. Could be that's why we've been teaching it that way since the 1980s. Oh, BTW, a line twist is only a malfunction if it's still there below 2,500 feet. Above that it's a nuisance. Welcome back, and good luck with your future jumps! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  15. One time out of 1,600 tandems, 1,400 AFFs, and 300 S/Ls. So yes, Mike, you're weird. But that's okay, we like you anyway... "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  16. "Just remember this my girl, when you look up in the sky, you can see the stars and still not see the light." - Jack Tempchin "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  17. Guys, the first time that TSA finds ANY kind of contraband in a rig, they're going to start opening BOTH containers on EVERY rig that any skydiver tries to take on an airliner. Please, people: show a little consideration for the rest of us, okay? "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  18. Gary73

    Argus SB?

    Thanks! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  19. Gary73

    Argus SB?

    What happened to the post about the Argus SB recalling certain cutter heads? Can't seem to find it anymore. And on that subject, why hasn't Aviacom had the guts to mention it on their own web site? Thanks "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  20. Different dropzones use different training programs. Some are different enough from AFF that you won't be able to just do the level you were scheduled for at your home dropzone, but most likely you'll be able to do something close to it, particularly if you're fairly far along in the program. Then when you get back "home", hopefully you'll get full credit for your other jump. So yeah, definitely call them ASAP to find out what they'll want and to schedule that jump, but also talk to the folks at your current DZ to find out how they're going to deal with it all. Good luck! "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  21. I have the 1997 and 1999 manuals in .pdf format. PM me your e-mail address if you'd like either one. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  22. With USPA, all parachute jumps count toward license requirements. Used to be only freefalls counted, but they changed that some years ago. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  23. Seems to me that the only safe place for a Vigil-equipped jumper to sit is ON THE DAMN GROUND! Seriously, folks, an accidental reserve fire can kill an entire plane-load of people, not just the guy who decided to save a few bucks on his AAD. We need to stop making excuses for Vigils and ground them all before there's a fatality. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  24. Risers are supposed to stay with the rig they were made for, but in this kind of swap it's way quicker to keep them with the canopy. Functionally it usually isn't a problem, as long as the RSL rings are in the same place on both rigs, but you're certainly within your rights to ask the rigger to do it the way you intended it to be done. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan
  25. We fixed the royalty problem here a couple of centuries ago; you guys seem to be lagging behind so I thought you could use some help! Seriously, dude, if you want to bash America you're in the right forum, just the wrong thread. Start your own; don't hijack mine. Fair enough? "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." - Carl Sagan