JerryBaumchen

Fablok Mills, Inc. 140 Spring St. Murray Hill, NJ 07974 908-464-1950 ww.fablok mills.com

I'm going from memory here but I recall that back in the 60's Skydiver Magazine had an article on the 'original' jumpable Rogallo wing. Loy Brydon was jumping it and it had been glued/bonded on the seams. The idea is old, very old. The problems, IMO, are in the production methods/costs & customer acceptance.

When doing outside corners/curves I loosen the binder slightly (so it is not rigidly fixed to the table) so I can push the binder somewhat to my left while keeping the material pushed to the inside of the folded tape. This always seems to work for me. As an alternative, you buy me a ticket, provide the food and I'll come over and teach you how to do it. No wages necessary. Yes??????

Two things I remember from Dan's presentation at the '05 symposium: It was reinforced with another layer of fabric. The canopy weighed less than the lines. Also, he was jumping regularly. Seemed to work for him.

Wow, I get to teach Bill Booth something; a red letter day. Bill, the X-Bow used snaps at the container end only. The housing went away with the risers and the snaps had to 'undo' for the housing to seperate. The Para-Twin (Pioneer's piece of junk) used a Navy plate that held the housing permanently, no RSL. Jerry

Hi Bill, The X-Bow did not have snaps at the ripcord end of the housing. It sat into a webbing loop attached to the chest strap; I think it was at the chest strap. But I do know about the webbing loop; later changed to an elastic loop. BTW, I had Dan Abbott as an overnight guest here a couple of weeks ago; lots of stories.

I paid $25 for the only one I ever owned. It cost more than that to have it modified for steerability.

How's 105% sound?

ParaJumper. Got it?

Hi there Froggy, Let me take you back in time a little; I know because I was there (so was Pop). What you have is what we called a 'LoPo' and it is what was called a Diamond Pattern. Take another look and each panel; they are somewhat diamond shaped. The photo that Wartload attached is of ParaCommenders (PC's in our day) in what we called a Checkerboard Pattern. Look closely and you will see that the panels are more square shaped; thus the checkerboard. Now, with all that, there will be a quiz at the end of the class.

Rob, My memory is that the Strong system was developed & being sold prior to the Booth system being on the market. I think without a drogue at that time. As far as I can remember, Jamey Woodward at Issaquah was one of the very first to put tandems to use on a very regular basis. Now someone may have been before him, but I don't know about. I also have a tape somewhere of Jerry Rouilaird (sp?) doing tandems in the Dallas, TX area for a local tv show. Anyone have any other memories on this?

Mark, Any update on the shipping of the 269; or are you still out cleaning up after Katrina? Jerry

Static line story) Ted Mayfield ran drop zones for nearly forty years here in Oregon. His favorite static line story (he swears it is true) was this real macho student who 'knew' everything in the class and simply would not pay attention. So finally up they go in the Cessna, Ted & 3 s/l'ers. The macho guy being the last student out. Ted gets him out on the step and gives him the GO. He would not budge, so Ted kicks him off of the step. He now is hanging from the strut with a death grip. Ted reaches out and starts pounding on his hands. The student finally drops off but then grabs the step and and is now hanging from that. So Ted stomps on his hands with his feet and the student finally drops away and everything opens OK. Of course, through all of this the student ends up about 1 1/2 miles off the DZ. An hour or so later he walks back in with the gear. Ted asks him how it went and he says that it was great but it sure is hard on your hands.

In a conversation with Ted Strong at a committee meeting, he told me that the first test jumps on the prototype tandems had Strong 26 ft Lo-Po reserves. Looks like they got to use it at least once.

Weren't they called The Chuting Stars?

This has been an interesting discussion to watch. 40 yrs ago I just went to a local store here in Portland, OR and bought a seal press. One side has my symbol and the other my last name. Gahd knows how many times I've used it. I think it cost about $10 back in '65. One special beviled nut fell off years ago but the bolt is still in it and it's going strong. Guess they just don't make them like they used to.

Back in the 60's there was an article in SKYDIVER magazine about such a reserve. At that time ( apparently ) the FAA wanted 1,000 successful test firings to approve it. It would not ( in my opinion ) be able to be approved under TSO C23b ( remember, in the 60's ). As regards, a ballistic parachute, BRS Systems in Minnesota ( I think ) make them for light aircraft; Gary Douris of Free Flight makes the canopies for them. If I were designing such an animal I would make it only a ballistic system and eliminate the pilot chute, let just fire right through the pack fabric and anything else in its way (such as going through your buddy, Joe Jumpers's body ). Everything has its pluses and minuses.

Is that the turbine Beaver that was flying in OZ 15 yrs ago with the extended fuse? Very nice A/C. He didn't like practise exits though; he began taxiing when we were practising grips once. That man did not like wasting time or money.

Hi Doc, I was a lowly GI at Edwards AFB; arrived 3 Jul 60 & departed for overseas on 3 Aug 61. During that time there was a rumor going around the base about some sport jumping (I did not know about the Lancaster DZ). A couple of days later there was a notice in the Daily Bulletin that anyone making a sport jump would be court-martialed for Endangering Gov't. Property, yes it is in the regs. Didn't make my first jump until a few months after I got out, on a T-10 in Feb '64; many a moon ago.

About 20 yrs or so ago, Craig Fronk had a new rig arrive fully assembled by the Mfr. He was on some team or other and in a hurry to jump. Well, the main was on backward, but it did give him a lot of confidence in the reserve system that worked quite well.

I recall that last year a DZ operator in the Florida Keys took his then less than 1-yr old on a tandem. The article when on to say how the kid really enjoyed it. Well, that was not how I saw the photo; but who am I to say? There is a lot in parachuting that I do not agree with Bill Booth on but I am side by side with him on this one.

This reply is in that "I think" category. You are referring to a Vector 1 pilit chute that used a MA-1 spring (again - I think). The Vector 2 & Vector 3 use a spring that is rated at 37 lbs out of the box ( I think - I cannot speak for Bill Booth). And I really do think that it should be easy to find out info on just what is a good pilot chute and a failed pilot chute. Contact the Mfr?

Didn't we call those Church-keys?

A VERY old jump buddy of mine (back in the day) by the name of Ray Lowe was on the 7th Army Team back about then. His email address is: [email protected] Did you know him?

It comes from "Whuffo you jump outa them airplanes." Now, don't forget it.