LavaLady

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Posts posted by LavaLady


  1. On 6/5/2019 at 10:02 AM, Anonymous4697 said:

    Recently completed my A license. Looking to rent a rig for my B license (more affordable over dz rig hire) so I need to learn to pack. I have asked several times and several packers for the opportunity to learn to pack but get shut down in my opinion because teaching a new jumper to pack is potentially a loss of income as a packer is paid per pack. I am now looking outside the dz packers for another jumper willing to teach a new jumper to pack. I would appreciate your opinion/ thoughts on the issue.

    Regards 

    Hi there. Excellent that you are interested in learning to pack. If you are jumping in OZ, go and have a chat with your Chief Instructor, your DZSO or an instructor you are familiar with and let them know you are keen and are looking for suggestions. Check the APF Regulatory Schedules to see the prerequisites to apply for your APF Certificate B. Apart from the minimum 50 jumps and a few  other things, you need to be certified to be able to pack for yourself. So this is the time to get into it, and your training DZ will be offering options. B|


  2. On 3/18/2019 at 9:54 PM, richwilk said:

    PA has a service life on some equipment, the Airforce reserve is TSO’d and has the same life limits as the US- providing the rigger is prepared to certify its airworthy, there is no in service limit. Check the Parachutes Australia website. The other source for information is the Australian Parachute Federation website asf.asn.au/equipment/parachutes Australia. Cheers.

     

    PA BRAND DESCRIPTION
     
    PART NUMBERS
     
     
    SERVICE LIFE
    26 ft Lopo Reserve Parachute
     
    P008 ( )
     
     
    Indefinite
    Aerolite Reserve Parachute
     
    P015
     
     
    Indefinite
    X300 Reserve Parachute
     
    P004
     
     
    Indefinite
    X228 Reserve Parachute
     
    P003
     
     
    Indefinite
    Hobbit Reserve Parachute
     
    P010
     
     
    Indefinite
    Airforce Reserve Parachute
     
    P036R ( )
     
     
    Indefinite
    Hang Glider Backup Chute
     
    P030
     
     
     
    Indefinite
     
     
    Talon 3 and Talon FS Dual Pack & Harness Systems Serial Number 10533 onwards
    Container: 4111(2) Harness: 5111(2) Assembly: S025
    Indefinite
    Telesis Dual Pack & Harness System (all models)
     
     Container: 4113(2) Harness: 5113(2) Assembly: S026
     
       Refer SB9502 rev.3

    APF web site now a .com address. :)

    https://www.apf.com.au/apf-members/equipment/equipment


  3. On 1/24/2019 at 4:34 AM, JerryBaumchen said:

    Hi LL,

    Just wondering; what authority do those standards have since they are by the APF & not CASA?

    Jerry Baumchen

    Hi Jerry.
    The APF is a very different beast than the USPA. It is a CASA Approved Self-Administering Aviation Organisation.

    The APF Operational Regulations and the subsidiary Regulatory Schedules are the Australian Parachute Federation’s controlling reference documents for governing the safe and efficient conduct of parachuting activities.

    The Operational Regulations (OR) are approved by CASA as APF’s primary regulatory document. 

    OR 2.1 details obligations of members of the APF. It includes that members are not only bound by the ORs and RS, but also: "mandatory standards published as equipment standards, service bulletins and rigging advisory standards, and technical directives;..." 

    Unlike in the USA, all bar one civilian skydiving centre in Oz is a member club of the APF, as are all individuals. 

    Kim Hardwick


  4. On 1/6/2019 at 3:23 PM, ParaSEXas said:

     


    best container i ever owed. before that i had icon, javelin, paratec next, PdF atom. best decision i ever made to buy new one from SWS. i also pack reserves and can tell that spring is killer, deffo better than anything else around (used reserve once)
    so far done about 1000 jumps on it and its wearing beautiful, i recon i will squeeze 3000 jumps out of it. considering i paid less than half price of new javelin or vector. i dont really look after it, its my work horse and if after 3k jumps i have to buy new- its fine cause ill use the other half of money that i didnt spent on jav or micron or what ever and will have brand new gear istead of 3000 jumps old expensive one i cant aford to replace.:P

    only down side is, it dont have TSO23d! so if you planing on working or even holiday in australia you wont be aloud to jump it. with USA if you are a visitor i believe u can, but locals are not aloud too (i might be wrong on that one tho)

    if you only jump around europe its best quality to buck ratio and deffo superb container

     

     

    Ot padara...

     

    Whilst it is true that in Australia, SWS do not meet APF Equipment Standard 081014, visiting foreign parachutists (just like in the USA), can jump them under specific conditions detailed in APF Equipment Standard 010901.

    APF ES 080114

    APF ES 010901


  5. With limitations. Like Certificate B and above for a start.

    "This extended-airworthiness inspection / repack cycle does not apply to parachute assemblies used for and during student, novice, or emergency descents. That is, reserve or emergency parachute assemblies used during student training operations – including the emergency parachute worn by the pilot of an aircraft - must continue to be maintained to a 6-month
    inspection/repack cycle."

    Note: Tandem ops are under category of student training in Oz.

    This is step 1. Further review is on-going.

  6. pushykat

    Thanks for the replies guys! Umm... I am australian and everything here is abbreviated or slang, so "shute" here is ok with us, sorry if I offended anyone. Its actually his entire rig. Sabre 135, reserve Airforce 120, rig vector team rig ridgy didge. Belonged to Jethro Abraham.



    Hi there. I know that rig. I was also a member of that Oz 8-way team (Rijidij). We got those team rigs in 1993 - so pretty ancient now. May not even be set for AAD installation unless it got a retrofit. The main canopy really will be too small for your use for quite a while.
    Great to read you are booked on that AFF course - hope you have a ball! Contact me directly if you like, for a further chat. B|
    Kim Hardwick
    Technical Officer at the Australian Parachute Federation.
    [email protected]

  7. DOS - Dual Operating System. Used by a few operators in Australia. Has come in handy a few times when a student has executed their EPs (handle pulls) out of sequence.
    For eons in Oz only the SOS was approved. The DOS method was introduced as a trial well over a decade ago, and now TAS is also approved.
    Systems in use here with the DOS (according to reports received through APF incident notifications) - Javelin, Telesis, Icon. Likely, on request from the manufacturer.

  8. You will need to join the Australian Parachute Federation. There are options for short term and full year. When you rock up to a DZ you're current qualifications will be assessed and you will be able to apply for the equivalent APF Certificate, if you wish. This can all be found in the APF Operational Regulations, which are on the APF web site.
    http://www.apf.asn.au/ArticleDocuments/468/APF%20Operational%20Regulations%2020140501.pdf.aspx
    See Part 4 - Visitors from Overseas or Outside the APF System.
    Bring your current licence/qualifications and log book.
    Hope you have a beaut time downunder.

    Kim Hardwick
    Technical Officer
    Australian Parachute Federation

  9. alex-k

    Hi, could anyone recommend a rigger in Melbourne, Australia to supply and install AAD to a rig? I know I can find one at Nagambie or Commando Skydive drop zones, but is there a rigger I can come and see close to Melbourne CBD?



    I would recommend getting in touch with your APF and they'll be able to help ya find locals.
    Kim :)

  10. It's new. From the Description:

    "Cutaway! Australian Parachute Federation's malfunction training video is designed to be used as an educational supplement to the required first jump course.
    Featuring demonstrations by Australian skydiving champion, Michael Vaughan, it shows the different types of malfunctions that can occur and how to deal with them effectively using emergency procedures.

    Produced, Directed and Edited by Andrew Forsyth
    Written by Don Cross, Ralf Jaeger and Gary Myors
    Aerial Performances by Michael Vaughan
    Director of Aerial Photography Shane Sparkes
    Safety Skydiver and Hand Model Rob Douthat
    Director of Photography Craig Hardiman
    Sound Design by Andrew Forsyth & Post OP Group
    Graphics by Andy Eisenberg & Andrew Forsyth

    The APF wishes to thank the following for their generous support:
    Glenn Singleman, Don Cross, Mike Carre, Michael Vaughan, Jules McConnel, Paul "Poo" Smith, Jai Campion, Jo Chitty, Nigel Brennan, Simon "Sas" DiSiascio

    Executive Producer Don Cross. Chief Instructor Skydive Nagambie.

    Produced by Pemberton Productions Pty. Ltd. 2013
    Proudly presented by the Australian Parachute Federation"

  11. Quote from the CI of the operation at which this issue was first observed/reported:

    "This issue has emanated from my own DZ where we utilise a C-206. Up until 3 weeks ago we were jumping the original Sigmas with the Tuck Tab design Riser Covers, however we have slowly been upgrading with a retro-fit kit from UPT. So far we have only 3 out of 8 Sigmas with the modifications.

    The original interference was noted by our pilot and was quickly diagnosed by the staff. There has been testing done by the staff and pilot in the meantime to find a workable solution to ensure the matter does not become a danger or inconvenience to anyone involve.

    At this stage we are operating with a skeleton staff of 2 TMs which makes the issue a moot point as the seating arrangement with 2 Tms does not require the use of the seating bench that we have been using. The bench in question sits beside the pilot and is approximately 380mm tall and runs lengthwise from 300mm behind the leading edge of the rear door and forward to the dash. The problem only becomes clearly evident when the tallest TM (6'4") sits on the bench which bring the magnets in close proximity to the compass.

    I have spoken to our pilot, who is monitoring the situation and will ensure that the situation does not cause any adverse effects to the operation of the compass.

    A changing in the height of the bench is being investigated, so when we have 3 TMs in the aircraft, all will be able to remain out of the immediate proximity of the compass and prevent interference."

  12. One of our Aussie aircraft operators recently gave us notification of a perceived issue with magnetic riser covers (eg Sigma) interfering with compass calibration on jump planes.
    He states that the problem goes away as soon as the jumpers leave the plane. They have found that they can minimise the problem by not putting anyone with that equipment near the front of the plane.
    He feels that this is not a long term solution nor is it acceptable to continue operating with an unknown or variable quantity of magnetic interference in the aircraft.

    Searching dz.com I have found a limited discussion on this subject - but from 5 years ago. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2664371#2664371 Post #16.

    So these covers have been in use for a few years now. Has anyone heard of any similar reports? (I have not) Specifically on whether there is any effect on aircraft compass calibration.
    If yes, has there been any resolution?

    Kim Hardwick
    Technical Officer
    Australian Parachute Federation

    (PS. One manufacturer has also been emailed directly. Just making this post as well to broaden the research net.)

  13. Became aware a few weeks ago of this SB - but was advised it was in 'Draft' form and that the real one was still to be issued, so was requested not to promulgate.
    After a number of requests to AAD, still did not receive the PSB-5, but first became aware from this site! (Thanks Mike) This despite the fact the the distribution list states Federations.

    Vigil SBs that we are aware of are posted at: http://docs.apf.asn.au/index.php/Service_Bulletins
    Have requested from Vigil a copy of PSB-4 (have been advised there is one), with no luck at this point.