Jeffrey

Hi Tony, It was good talking to you again the other day, hope you’re keeping Kelly out of trouble. Perhaps this thread could serve as a reminder for more riggers to just contact their preferred manufacturer on requests of this nature. Jeff

Try (253) 445-8790, ask for Kelly. He’s close to where you are. Tell him Jeff sent you. If that don’t work, send me a PM. Jeff

Kevin, Sending them today. Jeff

Chuck, Thank you very much. To get back on topic, that was a very well written piece by Hooknswoop some 4 years ago. I’m sure it has helped many since. Jeff

This one: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=585697;#585697

Normally we match 169 Crossfire with M4’s, so the 149 would be considered 1 size under and is more intended for the M2 or 3. One size under is ok, just that much softer and that much less room for additional down sizing. Jeff

Ok, you asked. But please don’t take this as criticism. The top of the reserve container sits low enough on your back that along with the chest strap location, I can see problems keeping your shoulder pads (top of reserve to top of ring-cover) on your shoulders in head-down flying for one. I will be kind and stop there. Welcome to the club. Jeff

After an invite, at the age of 18 in 1974 and still in high school, it was all the free beer forced on me at the end of the day when the last load left the ground. The Funny thing is that after only a short time in the sport, it was most often me on that last load of the day. Also the fact that most everyone I met at the DZ back then instantly became as close as family. Jeff

So do I, many good memories from them days. Jeff

That’s how I have been doing it for the last 30 years. Dam, I bet that’s a lot of rigs. Jeff

Sean, I feel the colored attachment points are a very good idea. Some packers can’t have enough packing aids. I personally wouldn’t benefit from them and I don’t feel it’s something that should influence a jumper’s decision when choosing canopy. As for colored lines, it’s only a personal preference. Multi colored lines are not me. Now all black lines, now that would be cool but again is still not something that should influence a jumper’s decision when choosing canopy. Jeff

Colored lines are cool but with a skydiving canopy, you have a slider to help you take care of that little bit of spaghetti on a much smaller canopy. I personally would prefer small and structural over cool colors any day. Especially when it comes time to pack. Before the crew dogs jump down my throat. CRW is an entirely different story. Now, Color coded line attachments are not a bad idea. But I would be the last to ever consider them as a packing aid. Jeff

Gene03, Your absolutely correct, that sort of thing doesn’t just happen. After most every small incident, it doesn’t usually take much of an investigation to determine the cause. I personally could write a book from what I alone have seen. From jumpers landing with the rear risers because someone forgot to thread the control line through the guide rings to having to buy a new main bag and PC because guess what. At this time of year, dbattman’s topic is a very good reminder to not let this happen to you. Especially if you have recently had or have completed some rigging on your gear as many probably have like a reline, new canopy, new risers, main pc, or anything. Ha, you don’t have to be a rigger to prevent this stuff from happening. Jeff

We did expect it to get very ugly until he cutaway. And yes, I guess you could consider it a main assisted reserve deployment. Jeff

Dorbie, You would hope, but I have watched to many reserve PC’s towed for far to long in canopy transfers from the 70’s and 80’s to know just what little force is required to tow it. Some had round reserves with short bridles and some ram airs with long bridles. I have seen them both towed. That’s where my data comes from and I trust it. I was building and designing rigs back then as well and yes, we had a lot to learn before getting it right, some more than others. A canopy transfer situation is a place now one should ever find themselves. Jeff Edited to add: One of the best transfers I remember was in Z-hills. The jumper wasn’t low, but had a bad line over and pulled his reserve. We watched the PC shoot out about 5’ and just laid out there a long while. Then do to his rate of decent, we watched his reserve PC go and wrap up in the lines. That’s when he cutaway and good thing he had square reserve w/ freebag.

Dave, Because of the hand tack to ensure the hook stays set. Most of the energy from the spring is exhausted at the end of the 5’. In a lower speed campy transfer, you would now be relying on the drag of the reserve PC from air speed to release the skyhook. I have tested and tested this many times and it is usually 18-20 lbs and can go + that. I can easily see it towing the reserve PC in a canopy transfer attempt. Jeff

labrys, Think about this. The Skyhook is only 5’ from the reserve PC and it could take as much as 18 - 20lbs + to disconnect it. In a canopy transfer situation (not much air speed). I think you will tow that reserve PC some time before disconnect alone. Unless you can grab the reserve bridle and manually release it yourself. I do have many more reasons but no time. Jeff

apollard24, I custom fit that rig for Crystal here in Deland. If you need any adjustments of any type, just let me know. I’m always happy to help you girls out. Jeff

Crystal, This one has always been my favorite. I think it would make a good safety poster titled [Always Check Your Handles before Exiting the Aircraft.] Hope you still check them before every jump. Jeff

She’s trying to tell you that Jeff PMed her and asked here to deliver the hug you needed over the weekend.

Give her a little bit of time to reply Jeff... She told me she was going to the lagoon... Can I have her hug though? I need it. Shari, I have been full of hugs all week, and you can have mine any time. So she’s off to the lagoon, o how my heart bleeds for that poor girl. Jeff

Good one Sunshine, let me try. Lisa, you gonna be ok? Do you need a sympathy hug or anything? Jeff

You poor thing. What a terrible place to be stuck for an additional day and a half for missing a flight. You have my sympathy. Jeff

Stacy, The last day of voting is upon us and I feel it safe to say we have this one in the bag. I hope we get a photo of the girls next to their new watering hole. Jeff

JP, After my hint, I new you would the first one to jump on this one. You have the west coast time advantage on late east cost posts. I would love to tell the entire story but the fact I had to do it in the first place should say enough. That’s why I keep it around and it still puts a grin on my face. Edited to say that it did take more than 7lbs. to do, as it should. Thats another story. Jeff