Deyan

mchamp

Honest question, why doesn't PD make smaller canopies than 71sq ft?

They do make smaller canopies, but you really have to be from "the chosen" ones in order to buy them

1001001sos

Yeah there are no cross ports /valve systems between the cells on the Crossfire II. Probably why they recommend a little bit of wing loading on them. I'm loading around 1.26

I don't know who told you that, but actually there are crosspots on the Crossfire 2. One of the reasons for the higher WL requirement is the partially closed nose. At 1.3 you should look at Safire 2 or a Sabre 2.

lyosha

Is there a video somewhere that could illustrate that scenario?

I don't know about the pin MARD video, but you can see how "good" SKYHOOK is working in the same spinning mal scenario.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEau0dc67e4

There are a few more. You just have to search

Skydivesg

I'm a bit confused. I don't see anywhere in your list that you would advise them to be certain to control the slider during the packing.

Do you not consider that to be a possible factor?

Of course it's a very possible factor, but apparently unlike you I prefer to make sure it's not a "hardware" problem, before I start search for a "software" problem

Not to mention that by the time I hear about checking a canopy because of a hard opening, the weekend is over, the owner is at home and I get to see only the parachute.

But since you like games with questions, I have one for you. How many times when the guys/gals/ at PD check a canopy because " it opens hard", they can watch the owner pack it?

Cheers

Skydivesg

Question for you: When people with few jumps and with various canopies, (regardless of brand) complain about multiple hard openings what is the first thing you suggest they check?

If it's a new setup, I'll go PC/size and material/, rubber bands/ or whatever is used/, fit in the bag, line trim check, slider size check, how the harness fits the person.

If it's the same setup only a different canopy, I'll start with the line trim check and the slider size.

Please PM me if you still need that manual

Cambalectri

***Does the UPT semi-stowless bag add more bulk? If you have a full fitting main, will it be tighter in the container?

Same question as ''Pnuwin'' !
Does the UPT or other similar semi-stowless bag (Jerry's ) add more bulk ? However, I have a slightly loose fitting main, will it add volume to the container ? In my case, it would be beneficial. Thanks !

Just think about it.

350 cu.in. canopy is a 350 cu.in. canopy regardless where you gonna stow the lines. If the bag is properly sized for the container, you will not notice any change in the bulk.
I've jumped several stowless and semi-stowless "mass production" bags and some custom made prototypes and never had to change the length of the loop.

The experience from others may vary

Pros- chest rings will make harness resize easier, faster and cheaper.
Cons- Because it's more flexible, you might end up with your reserve handle under your RIGHT armpit during a severe spinning mal.

JohnMitchell

Summer's coming to Seattle. Come jump at our place.
www.skydive101.com

What?! And jump a student Infinity without a Skyhook???

Did I miss something?

If somebody managed to do that, it wasn't me. Copy/paste is by far the most advanced task I can do with a computer

weaverd

This plan relied on volume sales as our margins are very small in order to bring this low price.

Do I read this correctly?! The margins are so small, that you need the money from the new orders to fix the problems with the previous ones?!
What happens when you need more money, but there are no new orders?

There was a guy in Australia who started his business "just to help my fellow skydivers" by selling gear on his dealer price. Long story-short....he disappeared from the face of the Earth,stealing thousands of dollars from his "fellow skydivers".

I don't have a dog in this fight, I just hate seeing people being ripped off

I don't know if it was posted before, but I thought it's worth watching :)

http://vimeo.com/86173382

Cool stuff

Hi Terry,

Quote

Jo Oosterveer from Belgium is coming to business meetings so NOBODY has an excuse.

Just a little correction, Jo is actually coming from The Netherlands

http://www.parachutecase.nl/theloft/VONDSTEN/vondsten.html

katzas

Can anyone shed any light on why we still use ripcords to open a reserve container? I cut my teeth on ripcord opened mains waaay back when and can readily understand why the hand deployed pilot chute for a main is superior. But having said that, we still use ripcords for reserves. Why?

Because of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset ?!

Try Marc Lancaster aka masterrigger1

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?username=masterrigger1;

cheers

tsf

If you had to choose only 1 to spend money on, then it makes sense. But, I think he was asking why people skimp on the main instead of, say, saving up a little longer to get BOTH a nice main and a nice container. With that in mind, going back to your points:

1. A main is something you have fun with, but why not have it "save your life" as well by being new or relatively unused, nice/clean lines, well-maintained, etc.? If you can add some extra degree of safety without compromising how fun it is, why not?

2. A poor fitting rig is a safety hazard, and the canopy you quoted **might** be airworthy. Why not remove all doubt for the sake of safety and not buy such a rough canopy?

3. Most of that time is just sitting in the plane, though. You spend a fair amount of time under canopy as well. Arguably, under canopy is the most important as you rely on it to get back down safely. So, it seems strange to skimp on this part.

4. I'm assuming you're referring to slower pack times on a new canopy? Okay, it'll be slower in the beginning, but if it's safety we're talking about, is maybe dropping ~1-2 jump per day until it becomes less slippery really that big of a deal?

OK, I'll answer that.

1. I've seen main blow apart only 5 jumps since brand new. Higher jump number doesn't necessary means more dangerous to jump.

2. I used the word "might" because I don't want to send a wrong message that every canopy with patches and out of trim is airworthy. Some patches are well made, others are just crap. You don't know what "might" be the case. The same counts for the canopy "out of trim". Some canopies handle trim changes better than others. It all depend of size,model...... I hope you see why I choose the word "might". I would have no doubts if I see the hypothetical canopy.

3. You are right. Most of the time is waiting with the rig on. However if you have made 6-8-10 jumps per day, you know how important is well fitting rig. During that time, your 2000+ $ main does nothing for your comfort.

4. Actually I meant that the value of the rig is higher than the value of the main. Have you seen a main with 3000+ jumps? I haven't. But I've seen a lot of rigs with that amount of jumps still airworthy and still in use.

To each their own. It's fine if you disagree.

Cheers

mattjw916

/facepalm

Facepalm is something you do when your mom doesn't want to give you a cookie after the dinner.

I just gave you my reasons why I'm packing mine 300$ main into mine 3000$ rig.
And that is what I advice people to buy when they have money only for one brand new item.
You may disagree and that's fine, just don't overreact

Cheers

mattjw916

Quote

Found a new container with 0 jumps and have "older" canopies I got for cheap.

I will never understand this logic. You have to use your main on basically 100% of jumps so why jump some ragged out/possibly out of trim "older" parachute? When I see people pack a $300 (if that) parachute into a $3000 rig I simply wonder, why?

Because the main is something you have fun with and the rig is something that saves your life every time you leave the plane.
Because a main with 10 patches and 5 cm out of trim is cheap but might still be airworthy ,and a poorly fitting rig is safety hazard.
Because you spend up to 10 times more time in your harness than under your main.
Because you can make more jumps on a new rig than on a new canopy.....

...And the list goes on

TomNoonan

Quote

Well you don't show any jumps in your profile, and 3 hrs tunnel time. It wouldn't be likely you'd see a canopy like this at/in a wind tunnel.

Best-
Richard

How about working as a rigger full time at one of Europe's busier rigging lofts? Would he be more likely to see things like that there?

Funny you mentioned that Tom. Actually I saw this when I went back to my home country last week Why am I taking a break from rigging to deal with more gear on my vacation is still a mystery to me. I guess I need a therapy

airtwardo

******
may i ask how many repacks there was on the data card? or was it just previously assembled?

It was previously assembled. Only one rigger before me.


Just curious ~ is it SOP to contact the prior rigger?

As a matter of fact, this is the 4th time I'm contacting that rigger.
After misrigged skyhook, after I saw a harness with torn 3 p.st. on the chest strap with 0 jumps after the repack and after I found a Vigil with an old cutter that was packed 3 years after the mandatory SB. Doesn't look like he is going to change.
And to answer your next question:" No, he will keep his license unless somebody die."

irishrigger

may i ask how many repacks there was on the data card? or was it just previously assembled?

It was previously assembled. Only one rigger before me.

rwieder

Well you don't show any jumps in your profile, and 3 hrs tunnel time. It wouldn't be likely you'd see a canopy like this at/in a wind tunnel.

Best-
Richard

It would be unlikely to see that kind of stuff in any jump plane
Cheers

councilman24

Not the first time that's happened.

I know that. But I never saw it with my own eyes.