teason

I thought about putting the first deployment low so as not to interfer with the handles but that would mean putting it extremely low as the gear has a long mud flap to accomodate the lower ring confluence. Other systems place a second ring below the first three ring confluence. This rig will be used for filming malfunction sequences so I wanted it to have it's own confluence. I'll put the deployment bag high so that there is max fomfort and manuvoerability for the jumper. It will also have very little exposed riser. The belly risers are going to be regular risers. The main ring will be attached to a B-12 snap and the webbing between the two will have the riser release. I had origionally thought of a single point cutaway out board on the right mud flap but that would mean hooking up the three rig after getting the gear on and I wanted a "snap on and go" type of system. Also, that's alot of housings moving through the yoke and would be uncomfortable (in hindsight, I should have made it wide over the shoulders). I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Yeah, it'll be a tertiary rig that can also be jumped as a regular rig. I have a few things to work out on the H/C first though. The handles will have to be able to switch from an inboard to an outward pull without any repacking. Think I've got it solved, still scratching my head a little though. After that It's a neat deployment idea that a rigger named Curtis Sobering came up with. The set up should allow me to jump any size main without being limited to container size. Stay tuned

Am I posting this a little too soon? I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I think the term "hard opening" is a very subjective thing. I like to use different words. If I have a perfect, on heading, stable, nicely sequenced opening but it opens so fast i poop myself, I term that a "crisp" opening. If it's a violent, out of sequence deployment my bowels shoot out my ass, I term it "spanked" as in "The goddess of whack rose up and spanked me" or "you f%$#er, I just got spanked by that pack job! What the f%$#I do to you!?!" I stay away from the term "hard opening" because I hear too many students comment on how hard their Manta opens when they take it terminal the first time. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I'll have you know I have a crew cut and a closet full of khaki! Oh and by the way, the reason they are comfortable is that they are made for people.... ...not sheep! See, I can be a stinker too! nyuk, nyuk, nyuk! I just won't insult someones gear personally, even if it's lime green tye dye with red flames and pink bows... ...Which is a $200 option from most manufacturers I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Congrats, that's the most ignorant post I've read in ages, and I was reading the Titusville thread. Never insult a man's wife, motorcycle or rig. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I've delt with some of these at my DZ. With Tandems from out of town, we refund. For those from the city, if they show up and it craps, I do the briefing but won't run them through the till. If I did and then gave them a refund, they never show up again. If I tell them that I'll brief them but only run their money if it clears, it leaves the doors open for a return. Refunds kinda close the deal and you'll never see them again. As for experienced jumpers, we lose money when they jump so it's actually more profitable to give them their money back then to keep it and make them come again Seriously, we do things backwards, we allow jumpers to run a tabs and then pay out at the end of the day. For regular jumpers, they run tabs and owe us money all year. One of my jumpers has been in the red for two years (and still is). Short term monetary gain can cost you long term. Tandems are the only time we won't instantly open up the cash register and that's because there are other forces at work here. To give you an example, we take a $20 when the student books. On a cloudy day, I called a tandem pair and told them that the weather was looking iffy and they should call before coming as they had forcasted the skys to clear. The jumper, who was angry, drove his SUV to the DZ (which probably cost him $30) to get his $20 back. When he started yelling at me, I pointed out that he had come just in time because the sky had cleared. The guy turned absolutely pale. For someone to commit to a tandem, it takes a fair amount of courage. A small amount of $20 is a show of that commitment. This guy was willing to spend $30 to get that $20 commitment back because deep down he was nervous about the jump. If he had gotten his $20, he would never have jumped. Because we wouldn't refund his $20, he had the time of his life and you couldn't pry off his smile with a crowbar. I really don't care about the $20 deposit's monetary value, I care about ensuring the jumpers commitment to come out and do a skydive. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

you're too blinded to see the point. you don't want to discuss, you just want to vent 'cause it makes you feel better. Hersize has about as much to do with your story as her ete colour. Your posts are hollow. too bad. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

So far he's commented on the fact that she's large and a 200 jump wonder, why would he stop there? Why not make a sexist comment too? Here's the valid issue; Titusville doesn't have a proper structure in place to deal with a safety issue. Even if Jraf was dumping at 1000', the manifestor shouldn't be dealing with it. Second, It obviously wasn't handled well which is only what is going to happen when the wrong person is doing the job. Finally, customers are usually discouraged from persuing refunds. Ideally, it's to give the business a second chance to please the customer. If you had a Tandem student come out and you get weathered, a refund almost gaurentees they will never come back. Experienced jumpers are a different matter, however and should be refunded. They will appreciate it and more likely come back and spread the word. Ultimately Titusville is in dire need of restructure and staff, something many DZs in the industry need. Now, JRAF. I'm really sorry you got your ego bruised but Ingnorant remarks really make me think you are an ass. So far you have made comment on her competance, her weight and now her sex. You are showing that what this issue is all about is you. How could anyone treat YOU badly. This has nothing to do with how they treat customers, you want to hurt Titusville and the manifestor for how YOU percieved they made YOU feel. How can this discusion be about business ethics when you start talking about the manifestor's time of the month!?! It's time to step back dude and take a deep breath. You've brought up good points about Titusville and there can now be good discusion about what they need to get on track. Now go home, relax and get over it! I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

That's only if the Racer RSL is a TSO'd componant. The Racer RSL is not TSO'd. It does not have a serial number and it is considered an accessory and not a system. The Racer Tandem also does not require an RSL. It ultimately lands on the TIs shoulders on whether or not they will jump it as they are responsible. Finally, you're in Canada what do you care Just kidding, I know you guys like TSOs, hence all the lovely new Sidewinders. I'm just busting your ass I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The reality of skydiving is that you cannot make a career of it unless you are incredibly lucky. The reality is that the job can only pay so much. I pay my instructor more than I pay myself. Is there a way to be fairer than that? For a joke I kept track of all my work at the DZ and only couted a Tandem as $25 (I pay $40 to my staff). At that rate, I would have made an extra $5000 above what I made as an owner. The reality is that at some DZs, they can't pay the same wage as a real job. Here are some of the problems in the DZ biz as I see them 1. Cost per jump is increasing and yet the price of a jump is not keeping pace largely due to competition. For a case in point, a first jump in 1990 was more than a first jump course 16 years later even though costs have tripled. 2. Tandems (fuck do I hate tandems) have reduced the profitability per jump at a small DZ. A case in point, to make the same on a $179 FJC with a free second jump, a tandem would have to cost $255. We obviously don't charge that much. 3. Skill requirements of instructors has increased greatly. The skill set required to train students has increased to the point that instructors are worth a higher wage (I don't dispute that, I just don't believe the average small DZ can handle the strain) This has affected the viability of DZs and has also reduced the instructor pool. 4. The age of the average instructor has greatly increased. Gone are the days of the 20 something lokking for a min wage job that is better McDonalds. The new reality is that they are now 30-50 somethings, looking to be able to afford the comforts of life. If you're like me you woke up one day at 30+ and realized you want more out of life and all you can do is jump from planes. In the next few years, the volunteer aspect of skydiving instructors will be replaced by purely work for high pay instructors. Small DZs and markets will shut down with the exception of small clubs. Current DZs in larger markets will fold until single dominant DZs will emerge with enough volume to satisfy the wage demands of instructors and the high cost of doing business. DZs will become more monopolistics and jump prices for experienced jumpers will increase to reflect the higher disposable income of instructors as will equipment prices. As skydiving becomes more economically unviable, Instructors will be an elite few putting strain on and shutting down equipment manufacturers and there by reducing equipment innovation. These are just a few predictions. They are not caused by instructors wanting more money, that is just a symptom of the current situation. The golden age is ending, skydiving is on a downslide. One just has to look at fuel prices vs jump prices to see it. One just has to look at membership numbers to see it One just has to read the threads calling for a union to see it. The world changes. It's survival of the fittest and I'm a fat pig. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

If you remember the rigs that Jim had in Beiseker, his racer's had one sided RSLs. While not approved by Jumpshack AFAIK, I don't think they are forbidden I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Is it the double sided feature that Roy doesn't like or is it RSLs in general? I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Also, big thanks to Martin Mirtle from Air Capital in Kansas who origionally found the E-bay posting and told me about it.

This Tandem Canopy just showed up on E-bay. The buyer found it in a tree and judging by the looks of it it is a brand new canopy off of a sigma tandem. there is a DZO who is out $3600 AU and I'm worried it'll be sold as a car cover. If you know of a DZ that losta main, let them know about this! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140047440052&fromMakeTrack=true I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I would presume that they're Master Riggers. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I'm looking for a manual for an older FXC tester PN#711-07135 It's the older version of the more modern 711-07135. If anyone out there has one please PM me. Thanks Tim I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Nice, follow it upwith a snide comment. Anyway, that is one of the cons of the AAD. Purchasing an AAD can cut into currency. Lack of currency is far more likely to kill you than a low pull. That is the arguement you should be making instead of confrontational back hands. All they do is make people turn off when you have something to say (and I know). If you are interested in a discussion, quit with the sarcastic attacks. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

There is not a safelty device in the world that you can't say that about. The question is this; is it safer in general to be with one or without? The tone of your caveat equivocates that it is 50/50. That is a blatant misrepresentation. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Why are most the posters from the warm climes? Any hoo, the temp doesn't always drop to a consistant degree. For example, a temperature inversion can make it warmer at altitude than it is on the ground. Not only that, you probably won't notice the cold till you get under canopy. I got out the aircraft two weeks ago and it was -10. My student didn't even notice the ice pellets (true story) I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

There are also those who feel a round reserve on a student is good for variety of reason and operate on the prairies where even a bad spot puts a student in an open field. But that's an arguement for another thread. THere are pros and cons for both square and rounds on a students back. I put rounds on mine but if my DZ was Pit Meadows with all those trees, rounds would scare the hell out of me. Pros and cons. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

I have three that are still origional. The only mods are on the mains. I have one that has had "Sharks teeth" on it and is trimmed quite steep. The other two are origional with the with the exception of the giant lip being cut off the sliders. The brakes are set(or not) as per Jumpshack's service bulletin. I have jumped with a previous rig in the origional configuration (brake settings), it was unpleasent. Tandems from the early days often have burnelling on the rings from hard opennings but it is easy to prevent. I'll often take the old elite's up because my other TM likes the Firebolts better(and they are way better) I also get the big boys when he gets the small girls, although I prefer the Firebolt when they're over 230lbs because it has the new style drogue and lighter toggle pressure. The origionals haven't spanked me yet and I did almost 200 this year on them. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

That is not the Firebolt but rather the old Elite425s that you're talking about. I have three of them. The Toggle setting is all it takes to achieve a proper openning speed. I also have a couple of Firebolt Tandems that open like a dream. Well that's just plain wrong. The two systems are not 100% compatable. If you start mixing and matching systems, you'll wind up with damage and malfunctions! You can't start getting creative, modify gear and then blame it for the problems that result. As for the leg straps, I haven't found that in 4 years of jumping the Racer Tandem. I actually have put a thinner pad on my 2k3 tandem because the wider pad pinched me. As for the down plane, that makes no sense as a single sided RSL is more likely to cause an accidental reserve deployment. Finally, production models have changed huge in the last few years. Racer Tandems are 2k3 models now, not the old 2000 style. The riser covers are tucktabs that stay closed, the drogue has been redesigned as has the drogue yoke and verticle partition. The complete system comes with a Firebolt main not the old elite 425 that you've jumped and have such a soft opening that the drogue doesn't need to half collapse on deployment (collapse on release has cause drogue in tow malfunctions). The horizontal has also been lengthened and provides even more comfort that the origional design. The reserve tray has been lengthened. The exit point for the yoke student attachments have been move inward. Your experience of 7 years ago where some rigger started getting creative with the gear is not like the reality of the equipment to any more than a V2 tandem experience from 7 years ago would be the same as a Sigma would be today. Just so you can see it, here is my Racer 2k3 Tandem compared to the old version. It was an older model that was upgraded (you can see the parts I replaced at the bottom). It is a clean design and functions beautifully. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

Nice. So Racers are like substandard Russian cars that rust and fall apart after a couple years. Racers do have some advantages over the Sigma. Implying that it's substandard and cheap is just plain ignorant. And for the record, the size alone would make me choose the Racer Tandem everytime. I don't know of ANY racer owners who pine for the luxary and greatness of the Sigma. The Sigma's ease of closing doesn't make up for the cost and massive bulk. Do you find the Sigma more comfortable? Lighter? Stronger? Is it the ease of use? Does it fly better? is the passenger harness more secure? Do they use more expensive materials? Is it easier to move about the plane with the sigma on? I'm not saying the sigma is a poor design, I actually like it but implying the Racer is cheap in the quality sense based on price is specious and down right insulting. Especially when there are so many TMs out there who haven't seen a Racer Tandem and might take your word for it. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

It would make sense for it to be in line with driving age. An irresposible driver can do far more damage than an irresponsible skydiver. If the person is ready for the resposibilty of driving, they should be ready for skydiving. Besides, I'd rather have an average 16 year old than an average 40-50 year old with thier extra pounds, disintergrating bones and slowed reflexes climing out of a plane. I'm only in my mid thirties and I'll be shopping for a new knee soon! It's the ravages of age! I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.