JerryBaumchen

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Everything posted by JerryBaumchen

  1. Hi Scoop, Send an email to Body Sport USA (they have a website) and I am sure that Jim will answer your questions. Jerry
  2. Hi Zig, Back in about '94 I was in L.A. on business and had some free time one afternoon. Stopped by FXC and asked about how their work on an electronic AAD was coming along. I met with three different people (don't remember who now) and they showed me some prototypes. They said that they had cut a ripcord cable (3/32" 7x7 strand) with it. Jerry
  3. It won't; last week a USPS employee told me that the 'Forever' stamp is restricted to 1 oz letters only and cannot be used two/time for heavier mail. It is very restrictive. Jerry
  4. Hi steve1, I don't think any of us are perfect; I know I'm not. Things like the molar strap and the use of clamps make me more worried than in the old days and that 'worry' is what keeps me on my toes (I still cannot see how that clamp could get left in a container; must have been a very loose fit). Back about 20 yrs ago a local jumper brought his rig to me for a normal repack. It was a 2-pin reserve container, Northern Lite with a round reserve. When I opened it up I found that the Locking Loop was worn more than I would use again. This Locking Loop was what they used in those days; it looked like a large '0' ring, circular in shape (I hope you can picture it). So I got some line sleeving and made a new one just like the original one & repacked the rig. Quite a few months later the owner came up to me all concerned about the fact that I had made up this style of Locking Loop for his rig; this was just at the time most rigs were going to a Locking Loop that was something that looked like a straight piece of sleeving with a finger-trapped loop on each end (the loops on the ends being about 1/4" long). He said that later he had taken his rig out to the dz at Molalla for another normal repack and he could not pull the ripcord. He also said that one other jumper there had stood on his rig and by pulling with everything he had, could not get the ripcord to budge. Well, of course I am in total shock, thinking what in the world could I have done to result in something like this (obviously, he would have gone in had he tried to use the reserve). By now I am all apologetic, at a loss for words, ready to turn in my Rigger's ticket, etc, etc, when he tells me that I had not actually packed this total, it was someone else who had done this 'totaled' repack (a rigger infamous for sloppy pack jobs), but he was mad that I had made a Locking Loop in the '0' ring shape. He said that when he had pulled the handle on my repack it worked just fine but he didn't like this Locking Loop. Now my mind is really reeling as to 'What in the hell is he trying to say' and I'm trying to digest all of this and get back to my senses and, finally, trying to decide if I should just strangle him right on the spot or not. I will never forget that moment. I decided then and there that I would never pack another rig for him again; and I think we both like it that way. I have always believed that you can take me out into the street and hang me for what I have done but don't ever give me any crap for what I have not done. Jerry
  5. Hi jarrett, Also, I don't think anyone posting here will know that your grandfather, Mike Martin, was a skydiver also. That makes you a 3rd generation jumper and there's not many of those around. I remember when your grandfather and another guy came down to Vancouver from Longview to jump Jens Jorgensen's V-77 Gull Wing. Your grandfather went up to 12.5K with a smoke grenade and tracked across the sky. It was the summer of '64 and I had about 15 jumps at the time; I can still picture it in my mind. It was phenominal to watch; however, nothing when compared to the wingsuiters of today. Stay safe, Jerry
  6. Hi howard, I jumped in a competition at Antioch in '70 and it did have some rolling hills like that. And in the summer they do get very brown. However, I do think that guy pictured is a looonnnggg way from the pea pit. Jerry
  7. Hi peckerhead, I did this down in Australia when at the First POPS World Meet. Bob Jones from Hemet/Perris/Elsinore area showed up with his reserve out of date. I had brought my packing goodies in the event I would have to repack my own rig (did not want to spend time packing someone else's). BJ did not want to spend the money to have an Aussie rigger repack it, then have to have it repacked again as soon as he re-entered the USA. So I had a local Aussie rigger repack it (I think the proper terminology now is 'assist' ) while I watched/supervised and gave him some pointers on what I thought about some techniques. I then sealed and signed it off. Everybody walked away happy. Just an old war story, Jerry
  8. Hi Rob, I was on his website looking at that a couple weeks ago. It is a very interesting concept. And it definitely does simplify things substantially. Right now I think the only problem with that idea in this country is that it is a foreign idea. Now if a yankee came up with it . . . . . Jerry
  9. Hi parafredo, I just got a canopy today from PD via FedEx. It clearly said in large letters SIGNATURE REQUIRED. FedEx just left it on the porch. Jerry
  10. Only if they get reported to them; and not all do. Jerry
  11. Hi katz, I don't know about any military gear (I think the blonde got in the way of seeing much [?]) but did notice on a couple of rigs that the 3-rings were in reverse order; the big ring being on the riser and the two smaller rings being on the harness. I've seen that before on some gear from eastern-bloc countries. Jerry
  12. Hi auto, You'll see more than this if you stay with this skydiving thing. This has been going on since the mid-'60's; believe me, I know. Jerry
  13. My first day in Basic Training: USAF = U Sure Are Fu**ed Jerry
  14. Hi pchapman, Great post. I've spent time pondering this also. About 15 years or so ago Elek Puskas (then Pres of Para-Flite) told me that they should be replaced annually. However, I have never seen anything (well, I don't remember seeing anything) in any manual about a time-frame to replace them. The old 'when to replace because . . .' gets into a lot of technical work on what are the quantifiable elements that determines when to take one out of service. I think most riggers just say 'this is too stretchy' and throw it away. Again, great post.
  15. About 15 years ago Ted Strong told me that when they were developing the Dual Hawk Tandem System that the first few jumps were made with a 26 ft Lo-Po in the reserve container. Anyone want to land two people under one of those? Jerry
  16. Hi Terry, I don't know about your part of the world back in the '60's but I do know that a lot of mil surplus rigs went through Portland Dye Works without any type of rigger involved. It was 'the thing' to do back in the early-mid '60's. Rules, what rules?????? Jerry
  17. Hi dragon2, It is not the USPA. It is the FAA. USPA may make lots of recommendations to the feds but they (the FAA) make those rules. Jerry
  18. Anyone notice that she opened up a Sage Green back pack and closed up a Red piggyback rig. Or were you all watching something else? Jerry PS) Raquel and I are the same age; I think our birthdays are in the same month.
  19. Hi Zig, Derek told me in Reno that all future Jav's would come with Skyhook or with RSL similar to Skyhook. In other words, using the curved pin on a lanyard and the 'eye' on a cable. Now, will that actually be the case; I don't know. Stay tuned, film at 11:00. Jerry
  20. Hi Slot, Here you go: In Poynter's original Parachute Manual at 9.5.10 is Assemby And Packing Instructions, All Pioneer rectangular and reserve assemblies, flat or curved. You might also contact Michael Owens (MOJOSPARKY on here) as he has a Super Pro that he is also looking for instructions on. A lot of the packing variations depend upon the canopy being used in the container. Jerry
  21. Hey Howard, Is this going to be one of those: Where are they now? things. Jerry
  22. Hi Shayne, Send me a PM and I'll try to put you onto an experienced rigger/jumper in your part of the world who, I am very sure, will act as a middle-man for you. This what bothers me; drop me a line if you want, Jerry
  23. Hi Skratch, Nope, we have never jumped together. I have only seen you one time in my life, at the Old Farts (ParaPioneers to be politically correct) Getogether in Denver a few years back. These days I get up in the morning, check the obit column to see if I am there; if not, I go on with my day. Jerry
  24. Hi Usetawuz, J. Scott was an instructor in HALO when he was in the Army. In one test program he worked on he was on the ground (he had a rig on) and he stood between two poles that held a lanyard between them that was then attached to him. Along came a C-130 or so with a grappling type of hook and snagged the lanyard pulling him up into the air. Then they reeled him into the aircraft. As he told me the story back in '66 he said that when he was being towed he could control his body just like in freefall. Now you have the rest of the story, Jerry