JerryBaumchen

Hi Ken, That is incorrect. The urban legend of the infamous 300 ft req'ment is simply wrong. Some versions of the four TSO standards* do have an optional test for a 300 ft opening. It is NOT a req'd test. Jerry Baumchen PS) * You can buy modern, current, up to date gear** built to one of four TSO standards. I do not know of any current production reserve canopies being built under C23(b). ** That means with all the latest bells & whistles.

Hi Peter, And to keep you honest once again; the Jav went from an original certification under C23c to a new certification under C23d. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Maddingo, Most rigs ( Jav, Wings, Talon ) use 1,000 denier Cordura. Vector & Infinity use 500 denier Cordura. Although, I believe that both Vectors & Infinitys can be ordered in 1,000 denier Cordura. The 500 denier, being half the weight, is why it feels 'soft' to you. You got this? Because we are going to have a quiz on it this Friday. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Peter, Re: '. . . being certified to super-vague 1949 standards.' Then you should include Vectors & Racers; just to be fair. Jerry Baumchen PS) Read NAS 804; nothing vague there IMO.

Hi flyhi, That would have been the late Garth Taggart. He was a real nice guy. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Rich, IMO this is the only way it can pay it's own way over the long haul. Jerry Baumchen

Hi baron, You might win a few converts if you stay out of the gutter. FWIW I also oppose using any money other than direct donations to fund the boondoggle. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Peter, But, not before my time. I do have to say that I have never deployed a chest pack under an open canopy. Back in the 60's I would occasionally go up to Abottsford to jump. Bill Hardman was the DZ Mgr. They did some testing & concluded that 'throwing it into the spin' simply did not work. So they changed to a 'pull & punch' system. You merely pulled the gut pack ripcord & then punched the canopy with the same hand to get things moving. I have no idea on how many times this was used or the outcomes. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Mark, I have, twice. It hurts. Jerry Baumchen

Hi MM, I cannot & will not make a recommendation. I do not own either business. You might consider trying both of them; just a thought. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Peter, I will give you my opinion. The final determination is & must be with the FAA. No certificated parachute component has any declaration as to chest/seat/back/lap. Do you see any such declaration on a PD reserve? How about your reserve ripcord? Re: 'What are those so-called "categories" officially categorized as?' IMO they are not categorized. It does seem to me that this is a conflict within the FAA. They say that riggers have to be type rated yet the components are not marked as such. Now, a reasonable person can readily determine a back parachute from a chest parachute. However, the actual components are not marked as such. And, 'back in the day' some local FAA-types were requiring riggers to log their repacks of CrossBow rigs as chest packs. That is NUTZ IMO as the container was obviously on the person's back. IMO & experience, most FAA-types know little about parachutes, parachute regulations, and really prefer to stay that way. End of that rant. Re: 'Or are you saying a change in harness is a Minor change no matter what the TSO?' No. However, IMO the FAA is lacking in a substantive determination of just what constitutes a Minor Change vs a Major Change. John Sherman once told me only the actual designer can make such a determination. And, as I was told by someone in the upper mgt of RWS that when they developed the Vector container, they tested it & submitted as a Major Change. The Atlanta ACO looked at their paperwork and said that they considered it a Minor Change. This was because they were using the same materials, the same production methods, and the same Quality Program. Today, a Vector III says on the TSO label 'Wonderhog.' As I have posted before, Derek Thomas purchased AeroSports USA. Jarret Martin purchased Summit Parachute Systems. Does that answer your questions? Jerry Baumchen PS) George Galloway of Precision once told me that when the paperwork weighs as much as the component, the FAA will consider it a Minor Change.

Hi Lee, TSO-authorizations/TSO standards make no mention of 'categories.' They also do not make any mention of 'types' of parachutes, components, etc. Jerry Baumchen

Hi sonic, I have not had any contact with them in a good many years. However, I do not remember the order on leaving the aircraft as having anything to do with it. Only the order of entry into the formation. Bill Newell died a number of years ago & I do not know who is running it now. Contact the people who are running the awards, not some other guy somewhere. Jerry Baumchen

Hi Ken, As if the Cooper thread does not already have enough bullshit for one lifetime. Jerry Baumchen PS) And Lyndon LaRouche claimed that Queen Elizabeth was the largest drug dealer in the world.

Hi Zach, Disclaimer: I have jumped ( illegally ) from a 2-place ultralite; but, that was a very long time ago. Does the PPC have an N number? If it does not, then it seems to me that it would be illegal; training flights only. You can always jump & take your chances. Oh, and I have not kept up with changes in the FAR's regarding ultralites. Jerry Baumchen