mark

His email in reply to advertisement in classifieds:

ParaCo's website is here. They don't claim to make TSO'd parts, though. Their facebook post from 6 weeks ago says they do not yet make freebags or [reserve?] pilot chutes.

Except in the commercial, both sides could be right.

I'm not Jerry or Rob, but I am a master rigger. Extending the laterals on a Vector is very expensive. The rig has "stabilizers," stiffeners that cover the laterals. The stiffeners are sewn into the backpad and the hip junction. Extending the laterals requires opening container seams to replace the webbing and stabilizers, as well as redoing the hip junction. Your local master rigger might have the tools and equipment, but is likely to be doing this for the first time in a long time. If you really want longer laterals, you'll be much happier with the manufacturer's work.

They always fit great when they're empty.

The line sequence was: sheath-and-core dacron kevlar spectra vectran/hma Kevlar has poor abrasion resistance. It is also skinnier than dacron, so less friction in slider grommets and harder openings. Also, kevlar doesn't stretch much, so less shock absorption than dacron.

Kevin Gibson claims to have the galleys, and he led me to believe the copyright holder is still alive. I couldn't find an email address or phone number for him, and he didn't respond to a snail-mail letter I sent. You're right: I've not seen a better manual for an intro to sewing for riggers.

The manual is copyrighted.

What reasons do they give you for departing from the 30-35 weeks they advertise on their website?

This, mostly. Even experienced jumps make mistakes sometimes, especially if they're setting the brakes in the high-distraction environment of the landing area. Pull the brake-set eye below the guide ring before inserting the tongue of the toggle. The pocket for the toggle tongue can be tightened by running a row of stitches directly on top of the existing pocket stitches. Try along one side before doing both, as the result can be dramatic. If the bottom of your toggle is secured with a pin, the slot for the pin is exactly 3/16" wide, which is the standard gauge on a double-needle machine. Overstitch the existing stitches. This is easier on some risers than others. Any moment now, the Racer fans are going to chime in about snaps. --Mark

Yes.

How much of a premium would you be quite happy to pay? How much lower would the risk need to be?

44745 will require cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders. Part 135 pilot requirements include a requirement for check pilots, and oral/practical check rides every 6 months. See 135.265 for maximum duty time and required rest periods. Someone is going to have to keep training records and duty/rest records.

Maybe. The magnetic riser covers are a change to the TSO configuration. Since they cover the reserve risers, they may affect airworthiness. They are an alteration. Did you get approval from the manufacturer or the FAA, or did you just do it?