JerryBaumchen

Hi Guido, OK, here is my $0.02 worth. From what the Seattle ACO folks have told me, a major change is a new rig. If you go in for a major change then you must qualify all over again. jSounds rather dumb to me, though. Ergo, only minor changes in the parachute industry. And I am very sure in other aviation industries. One, now retired, ACO employee once told me that the minor change/major change in the parachute TSO is the most confusing (to them, the FAA) of any TSO that they deal with. So, are you now an expert on this? Others?????? Jerry

'minor changes' huh? I find that some folks who advocate that all parachute equipment should have a set time-frame to comply with the latest standard do not do that with their own products. Hm?????? It is my understanding that the Vector III & the Racer are still TSO'd under C23b (I may be wrong but I think I am correct). The ref. document in C23b is NAS 804. Worldwide standard? Personally, I would prefer that the gov'ts just get out of regulating sport parachutes. Let the marketplace decide; that is really what is going on anyway. Rob is correct, the FAA boys know zip about parachutes (I do have some experience with them) but they will never admit it; after all, they still have the 'control.' Rant over, Jerry

Hi jumper03, All good advice so far; you must simply spend a lot of time on trial & error. It will come to you. However, you will never be as good as the little ladies that do it all day long; it is a male-only type of handicap. Learn to live with that. Jerry PS) If you want to see REALLY good corners, go buy a cheap fabric wallet made in the far east; those gals make any American look sloppy.

Hi Rob, Actually, I've always thought it was because they are not willing to spend the extra $$$ for a square. Also, they seem to only get their PEP rigs backed once a year. They will spend $10,000 for some do-hicky for their airplane but not an extra $700-900 for a square canopy. Some years back I had a talk with Bill Coe about the idea of a cross-connector on the risers so that no matter how far a pilot-type pulled the toggle he would actually be pulling both risers down; hopefully to prevent violent stalls, etc. I think it is an idea whose time will come. Jerry

Now: '97 BMW 840Ci If any: Ferrari Testarossa, in yellow thank you. Jerry

Hey k_marr08, Just take what we tell with a large grain of salt. Jerry D-1543

Many moons ago we had a couple of guys who wanted to do a variation on a Mr. Bill. They decided to do a 'normal' Mr. Bill but also use a long bungie cord so Jumper B could do a bungie jump after Jumper A opened and they got settled, then Jumper A would release the bungie cord (or was it Jumper B?; oh, whatever). All went as planned, Jumper B jumps from Jumper A, stretches out the bungie cord where upon full stretch it snaps, it then recoils and clobbers Jumper B in the head knocking him unconscious. Fortunately Jumper B pulled just before it hit him. Then Jumper A came over (after noticing that Jumper B was just hanging in the harness) and did a two-stack and guided Jumper A to the dz. Just prior to landing, Jumper A regained consciousness and was able to land his canopy OK. A air-to-air photo guy was there and had it all on film and it ended up on some of the nationally syndicated TV shows. Ah, the best laid plans of mice & men.

Hi k_marr08, There is a guy by the name of Jim Bates, who is a member of Connetictut Parachutes (sp?). They might have a website, but he is world of info on our history. Try to locate him, Jerry

Hi crazydiver, That one, along with a variety of other shapes, are made & sold by the Jump Shack. You can contact them and they will probably send you pics of the various shapes that they make. Jerry PS) Also, good folks to do business with.

Hi jumper03, I have a manual titled 'CIRRUS RESERVE/SWIFT RESERVE PACKING INSTRUCTIONS.' It is dated Feb '84. I could make a copy for you but it is nearly 40 pages. However, I am thinking that this may just be for the original 5-cell Swift. It says on the cover '**The CIRRUS RESERVE and SWIFT RESERVE are packed identically with the exception of the deployment brakes which are covered seperately in these packing instructions.' Also, as I read the section(s) about setting the brakes, they do not seem to make a lot of sense. I used to own (and pack) a 5-cell Swift reserve so I am sure if I had the canopy in front of me it would make sense. I do not remember being confused at the time I owned & packed the reserve. I also have the EOS manual but that is about 100 pages; no offer from me to copy that novel. Try contacting Para-Flite (they have a web-site), they have been fairly good about supplying things like this. I just got a new reserve pilot chute for an EOS rig that needs one. HTH, Jerry PS) As for 'wierd' brake settings, I am thinking that would apply to a 5-cell Swift and not the 7-cell Swift Plus. Now, if you want really 'different' brake settings take a look at a Safety Flyer (if you can find one). PPS) I can be reached on 503-481-4714, no early calls, I am on the west coast & I like to sleep in.

23,500 in Turbo 206, on-board 02. Dude spotting wasn't as good as he claimed, landed in next town down the road.

Hi sundevil, Wow, someone who knows what an ASTM is; engineer by chance? So do you know what an ANSI is? Just having some fun with you. IMO, you are correct. Without knowing the spec req'ment and the tolerances what good does 'Check the porosity' do. How about nothing? Again, IMO the fabric maker does not set the standard, the TSO holder sets the standard. It is HIS product. The fabric maker is merely a raw materials supplier. Just my old $0.02 worth (or is it worth less than that?). Jerry PS) ASTM = American Standards for Testing & Materials. ANSI = American National Standards Institute.

Hi always, The last that I knew, Strong Enterprises had the rights to the Hobbit reserve. You might try contacting them. Jerry

Hi Mick, Re: That's where the clout lies, with the 'approved' manufacturer. What is the proper saying here: HOLD THE PHONES, WE HAVE A WINNER. It is, in my opinion, all about priorities; and I think that when it comes to the feds actually looking into something (which they will not do unless req'd [just my jab at them]), it would ONLY come down to that which is 'approved.' Other thoughts???? Jerry

Hi JohnRich, Actually, back in the '60's there were two accuracy events at the Nationals and at any World Meet. A hop-n-pop accuracy event and a 20 sec. delay accuracy event. The 20 sec. delay event had some type of req'ment to be open within + - the 20 sec. mark; I do not remember the allowable + - , though. Therefore, a stopwatch to make sure you were within the proper time delay. Just more trivia for those who care. Jerry

Hi PeteS, Well, recently there have been numerous articles about people doing stuff if they have taken Ambien. So, you been taking any sleeping pills and then packing rigs at night? Jerry

Hi BCA, I stand corrected on the magazine. However, there was another jump magazine in about '64-'65 that was published in the LA-area by some guy named 'Leigh' something, as I recall. Again, only about 4-5 issues then died. I do remember seeing a couple of them. Jerry

Hi Rob, Over the years I've had a LOT of folks forge my siganture on their data card(s). Since my actual/real signature is very unreadable I get concerned that the feds would think I really did sign it. So I have advised them to open the phone book, poke their finger at a name and use whatever comes up. That keeps me out of the loop. Who wants the feds snooping around your records?

Hi kissrg, I am curious; does the PdeF manual say to put the cable down into the grommet like that? Or should the cable be out of the grommet and around the pin? It seems to me that with things like in that photo you are creating a harder pull when activated manually. Thoughts????? Jerry

I actually followed those instructions for a 2 1/2 yr period once. Occasionally opened the container up to make sure everything looked right, that the pilot chute (MA-1) still had some 'spring' in it and closed everything back up. Now don't tell anyone employed by the federal gov't. about this.

Hi BCA, Actually, I think there about 4-5 issues; some guy named Leigh something was the publisher. Does that sound right? And that guy on the cover is Tim Saltenstal, his uncle was a senator from Mass. Last I heard he was living in Pope Vallley, CA.

Hi Chris, Consider it a deal; however, I am not a beer drinker so it will have to be Coke or a rum & Coke. Jerry PS) Will you be in Reno in Jan '07?

The oldest civilian skydiving club in the USA is the Seattle Skydivers. I believe a couple of military clubs are older.

I'm with Dave on this one also. I would think that the next generation of audibles might/will/should have a voice-over = "you are not at X000 ft" , then " You are now at Y000 ft", etc. I just hope she sounds sexy so that she gets my attention. Getting your attention is what is it all about, right?

First, congrats and welcome to the club. A fantastic write-up. I was having lunch with Mike Truffer two months ago and we got talking about this and that and when it got around to riggers his comment was ". . . and then they buy a sewing machine and quit jumping." Consider yourself forewarned. Jerry