skytribe

If you put down no to airmans certificate and they find a match they will kick it back and further delay processing, requiring a trip to the fsdo.

Jerry - I understand that there is a liability issue here but when I spoke to them I was very particular in that the customer did not mind purchasing a new pilot chute. They just were freaked out at the incident and didn't want it to occur again. So the answer from them was rather on the fence when I would have preferred a definitive answer such as the new pilot chute is a definite improvement. (That's not what I got). As to the 'acceptable'. I think the manufacturer and customer probably have very different definitions of acceptable after their incident. The customer ended up getting a new pilot chute and upgrading to a Reserve boost. (cost was not the issue). With the MARD system, the malfunctioned main probably creates a whole lot more drag. As to whether it is fixed or not - no bulletin means there are legacy rigs out there with the older containers that the jumpers don't even know the rig has a potential issue even with a newer version available. As the the fix - I'm curious as to what Sunrise has done to fix the problem. Let's just say that the Wings container, has experienced a few issues with Reserve activations. Which is a statement of fact. The cause and resolutions are both questionable and subject to opinion and may/may not apply to certain containers.

And how was this fixed as no service bulletin was issued on the reserve pilot chute or modifications to the containers to prevent this occurring ? I know of other occurrences and also that Sunrise was able to reproduce the scenario in the loft. When I contacted Sunrise after a local jumper had to manually extract the reserve freebag after looking over his shoulder and seeing a fully inflated pilot chute in tow (and it wasn't my pack job so I'm not protective and deflecting blame). When asked should I replace with new pilot chute - ie. is it better. They responded that both were acceptable. I'm not sure that was the answer that the local jumper wanted to hear as the existing one obviously was not acceptable. As this was not a first occurence of this happening on a Wings and there are others well documented on video. My opinion was that it hasnt been fixed. If it was, then we wouldnt see rigs out there with it still occuring. A bulletin would have been issued, which it hasnt. I'm not a Wings hater. I will pack them according to the manual for jumpers that chose them.

Before ensuring it fits, ensure that you are not going above a 1:1 wing loading. This is not like a modern main parachute that flies well when loaded, anything above a 1:1 loading will result in a very sudden stall characteristic. As to the sizing that all depends on which size you have. https://rigginginnovations.com/sites/default/files/PIA Canopy Volume.pdf will show pack volumes.

Super simple - follow the rules, stay altitude aware. If you having AAD fires on student jumps - whether the fire is an instructor or students then something went wrong. Brushing it under the carpet does nothing to improve safety, allowing lessons to be learned and passed on to others to avoid repeats is probably beneficial. As to the disciplinary action - I'd like to see that data on how often and for what reasons USPA disciplinary action has been taken over the past 20 years.

Also its an option to get a container that accommodates bigger canopies and then getting it re-harnessed to fit you. The container determines the canopies that can be safely packed in it and the harness is designed to accommodate the jumper. So you may find a container that would fit the canopies but was made for a smaller person or a huge person. If the price is right you can buy the container and send it back to the manufacturer to be re-harnessed to your dimensions.

Gowlerk detailed one of the points which is the cap tends to sit up because the pilot chute material is stuffed into the spring to minimize the potential of coil lock. Other container designs tend to pull the material out of the spring and hence can the cap compressed down a bit for semi-exposed pilot chutes making it easier to look good, and its not really an issue if the pilot chute is covered by additional flaps such as Vector 3, Mirage, Infinity etc. To do a good job and make wings containers look neat takes more work. If there are lots of wings on the DZ - the riggers probably get good at seating them or they all look shitty.

Personally, I would avoid the Wings container. If you search through the threads you will see there have been some strange incidents with Wings that just don't seem to occur with other containers. Resulting in jumpers towing reserve pilot chutes and manually extracting the bag out of the container. Although people with Wings say mine worked fine when I needed it, It has occurred a number of times and is well documented. Do I want that as something in the back of my mind every time I jump? As a rigger, I pack all containers but the wings is not one of my favorites to pack. Also making an RSL an optional extra on a new container just annoys me. This is a standard item on all other containers and feels like nickle and diming customers. If you want a Semi-exposed reserve pilot chute design container - go with a Javelin rather than a Wings. UPT Vector 3 is also great containers. Both companies have excellent product support and if you are buying a new container - that will feel more comfortable than any student, rental gear you have worn previously. UPT containers - rock solid, well tested, excellent company and customer support. The company is a leading innovator in skydiving equipment. They develop the features other manufacturers eventually utilize. That said, I would probably get a used container as the 1st set of gear while you're still learning and downsizing. Once you have sorted out landings and settled into a size canopy you are going to be content with for a while then consider a brand new container. As for "freefly friendly" almost every container in production is freefly friendly these days. Leg strap throwaways, exposed bridles and velcro on containers are just not made on new containers anymore, soft or mini D handles for reserve are almost standard as well.

Or simply learn how to pack by identifying the line groups by their length and counting them. Each line group is typically around the same length and can easily be identified. Some canopies have some differences ie. Less C and D lines due to their planform shape but these tend to be outliers. If you learn without the color crutch - then packing other canopies without colored attachments is easy. If you depend upon the colors then it will always be a bit more tricky without them.

Instructors should be doing gear checks on their equipment and verifying the student is correctly harnessed and briefed. Passing the buck to someone else when something goes wrong doesn't cut it. The packing card is right under the AAD on our DZ Strong rigs. There is also a simple card saying when the next repack is due. Sure, the DZ makes sure things which are out of date (which is incredibly rare as they like their stuff ready) are not on the flight line but they are not trying to hide anything either by not having packing data cards in the rigs. So to answer your question - all the instructors at my DZ all instructors are required to do their gear checks for every single jump and can clearly see when the reserve will be out of date when they turn the AAD on or verify it is turned on prior to jumping the gear. They are also responsible for checking their student harness irrespective of who put the harness on the student. If you not checking your gear and the student you're jumping with then you are not doing it correctly. This thread asked a question on the life of tandem components and the answer was given.

As is the word "Mandatory Recertification" on https://uptvector.com/tandem-rigging/ for reserves. The VTC is manufactured by PD, and hence I would say 40 pack job/25 usage for recertification limits aligns with them.

Depending upon the system there are, in fact a limit on component age and/or usage. Strong Enterprise http://www.strongparachutes.com/library/Documentation/Tandem/Recertification Requirements.pdf UPT https://uptvector.com/tandem-rigging/ (although the link appears to be broken) These detail the service life and usage limits before being put back into service. The container should have a packing data card - this is where you should find the data. If the DZO doesn't have the card in the rig - sounds like something shady going on. They can always maintain a copy of the card so if it gets lost a rig history is preserved. How are you as an instructor meant to check if the reserve is in-date prior to jumping it. if there is no packing card present?

I believe some of the original reasoning was contained in the document. https://aeroclub.at/uploads/download/SM090101.pdf As stated the likelyhood of this occuring is small and affect tandem and larger containers more so than smaller ones. This is a copy of the response I got about the staging loop on sport rigs. http://gemapar.fr/Documents/Materiels/note/NO092.pdf The current UPT vector 3 manual clearly states its optional as does the aerodyne manual for skyhooks.

Ive had brand new UPT vectors come without a staging loop, upon contacting UPT to find out why. They sent a reply that it was only recommended on tandem and larger canopy containers and hence thats why it was not included. They specifically did not like it being called a hesitator loop. For UPT, aerodyne - the use of this elastic loop is optional. ( https://www.flyaerodyne.com/...ual052017_online.pdf) Page 25. As a friend of mine is a rigger at UPT, they told me that they don't pack most container with the staging loop. The wording of the reply from the manufacturer and the actions meant I now don't pack using the staging loop for most sport rigs.

I'd say with 500 jumps on the lineset you may well be close to getting a reline. Have it inspected to determine that, where it is jumped can affect the life of a lineset a lot. Sandy desert environments are harder on linesets. As a ballpark figure - take the cost of the new canopy. Knock off a couple of hundred because it's used. And then deduct 1 - 1.25 per jump depreciation should give you an estimate. If its got patches / repaired damage / lineset is near being replaced / or repair to be done - broken stitches, worn slinks then deduct a bit more or negotiate with the customer about splitting the cost of repair. The seller often will quote fewer jumps than its done to get the best price. If they want to sell it quickly they may come down a bit in price.

Sounds good - I've managed to locate paraplane, crossbow and PC manuals and now only the stylemaster to find - I only have the back container for the stylemaster with a Paracommander in it - it does however have two pilot chutes which I've seen in old photos/movies but never packed both.

Someone brought in some really old gear they used to jump and wanted it cleaned, repacked for and office exhibition piece. Looking for manuals for security pig container. Strong style master container and a paraplane witth ropes/rings. I realize this gear is ancient but would rather repack them the correct way and I know there are some old school guys that keep hold of these manuals

And tandems also have a emergency requiring disconnection of rsl in high speed emergency and has an rsl design which makes it incredibly difficult as a single handed operation with a good chance of the lanyard snagging and requiring more effort to actually release. Including having someone on the front making use of the other hand tricky. Not saying that the design is or isn’t good but other rigs also have issues as well that the manufacturers are aware of but chose not to address.

New jumpers / tandem jumpers if left to themselves never tighten goggles enough or even put them on properly. The put them on like they will be wearing them on the ground and not having 129+ mph trying to tear them off your face. Tighten them up like you absolutely want them to stay on and seat them down so no air gap on the bridge of your nose. Flexvisions work rather well as they simply mould to you face shape.

But I still have to land with a passenger somewhere. And I'd rather have something that will improve my glide and flare for a good landing where I want to be than have a crappy landing in an unfamiliar landing place because I couldnt glide to the landing area. The reserve ride openings I've had with a tandem have been pretty good. But then Again I do take my time packing the reserves.

Looks like a service bulletin for reserveboost equipped wings containers. http://skydivewings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/SERVICE-BULLETIN-081018.pdf

Any ideas where I can locate an airworthy C9 canopy.

Again, I am just shocked people really care. I am going to bet that with the exception of canopy pilots and Crew dogs (I have done both) anyone that meets the other requirements will have the new ones. And I admit that the fact AFF counts is just stupid. ***The USPA should be focused on creating standards that enhance safety - particularly in the realm of canopy flight - and less worried about international competition You need to read the CHARTER of the USPA. You can read the Constitution here: https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_GovMan.pdf It specifically mentions competitions. So like it or not, competitions are part of the USPA. I am going to break it to you. The USPA does not care about you. Not one damn bit. It is not a feeling you are getting, it is a fact that they have shown over and over again. Rig manufacturers make "freefly" friendly rigs that now don't open in time according to the STC... USPA does nothing about it. AAD makers complain that the pull altitude is too low to allow them to set the AAD's to fire higher, USPA jumps and raises the min pull altitudes so the AAD makers can cover up for the rig makers no longer meeting TSO standards. In every case where it is skydiving company vs individual members... You are GOING to be ignored. Look at the USPA website, they claim this is a volunteer organization... But then they require group members to only let members jump. What do YOU as a member get by a DZ being a group member? Jack shit. The USPA gave a "safety" award to a guy that was fined over and over for not doing the maintenance on his planes. What does happen is the USPA gets to play both sides. See they make the DZ join as a group member for basically, advertising. The group member DZ gets to say they are members of the USPA and the USPA will direct people interested in skydiving to the DZ. Look on the first page of the USPA website: "Learn about the methods to make a first jump and find USPA Group Member Dropzones near you." Ah, then the USPA makes the Group member DZ's sign a pledge. Part of that pledge is that they will only let USPA members jump there! They have created their own monopoly. Sure, you can not join the USPA, but then you now can't jump at most DZ's The Group member program is the BIGGEST line of crap ever. The individual member gets exactly NOTHING from the program and it makes you join if you want to jump at most DZ's... But the USPA KNOWS that if they drop the requirement that most individuals will drop their USPA membership. Long story short, unless you are a student, instructor, or a competitor, the USPA is worthless for you, and the USPA KNOWS it. So they make you join to be able to jump. So yeah, it is true, the USPA does not care about you, the individual member. They just gave 125K dollars to a museum no one really wants, while crying they don't have any money. So what's the better alternative? Dissolve the USPA completely and let DZs do whatever they want, however they want? Even USPA affiliated DZs often do unsafe stuff. Even at drop zones explicitly known to be safety-eccentric DZs with many rules and tight oversight, I still see people do unsafe things. Just the other day I was at a USPA affiliated DZ that openly states it's very safety focused and one of the instructors ordered the exit order to be one wingsuiter out first, followed by two high pulls, then my 2-way freefly group followed by the tandems. I asked him why in the hell he thought that was a safe exit order. His response was that he wanted the wingsuiter out first to 'get out of the way' and then him and his friend doing a high pull because they wanted to be 'out of the way of the tandems'. I explained to him that he is at a USPA drop zone and has on official obligation to follow the BSRs regardless of what he thought was convenient or whatever other BS and putting out a wingsuiter and high pulls before a freefly group is pretty stupid. He responded to me was that the exit order 'doesn't really matter anyway'. Yea, okay. The point is even with the USPA many (if not most) drop zones still regularly do stuff that is unsafe. I cant imagine how bad it would be with no oversight at all. High pullers out first is acceptable. That's what CRW jumpers now do often. If its cloudy with multiple passes or incredibly strong winds then maybe let them out last but otherwise out first is really not a problem.

Then why make it FF/FS specific or even have it at all. I don't particularly think its onerous - just the fact that it excludes other disciplines and the fact that AFF counts make it a joke. Make it mean something, set a standard rather than simply to jump out with 3 other people in freefall and define that as success. How about making the coaching standard a C license - that potentially doubles the experience requirement, if you want to make the 10 4 way jumps mean something how about actually defining success - ie. 10 4 way or larger jumps of 5 points or more and make that in FS/FF/CF disciplines where points are scored. And how about not including student training jumps in those license jump - so AFF jumps wouldn't count. That truly is a joke if you want to say that counts. Coaches can do a lot more than jump with people between 7 and 25 jumps who are cleared for self-supervision and not yet licensed and there are no requirements for only doing belly flying. What its original intent was and what is written seem to be quite a bit apart and I stand by my opinion that 100 jumps is too low with limited experience.

Well perhaps if the change is about international competitors which represent a small proportion of USPA members then you should consider something that they pay for to meet any international requirement rather than simply changing the requirements for everyone else. Instructors pay additional amounts every year as do pro rating holders then why not competitors, And you think that the standard is good? Or merely acceptable. Shouldn't all coaches courses be real? Shouldn't the coaches be monitored and mentored themselves to ensure they are actually doing a good job. Shouldn't the idea of coaches be specific to the disciplines? (Example - Someone with 100 jumps most of which are freefly shouldn't be coaching in another discipline they know nothing about such as CRW for example). The UK has discipline-specific coaches and endorsements. So someone that does FS isn't a general coach for other disciplines they know nothing about and want to bullshit they know. Also up until A license they are taught and supervised by Instructors in the training method being used not using low experience jumpers.