mark

PD, Icarus, and Parachute Systems all have "bowling score" boxes for 40 packs/25 jumps before factory inspection/permeability check. Aerodyne allows 40 packs/10 jumps before a permeability check, but doesn't have a way to record except maybe on the data card. PdF allows 40 packs/25 jumps, but no marking on the canopy. Precision and Flight Concepts do not specify. I don't know about ParaTec. These are not life limits. Most canopies can be returned to service after inspection and permeability test.

The XL Cloud did not have lower surface vents. The Strato-Cloud did.

The stabilizers use rings as slider stops. I know ParaFlite used plastic "poker chips" in my Cruisair, but I don't remember whether Strato-Clouds had rings or poker chips.

The label then was most commonly ink-stamped on one of the ribs, just inside the nose of the canopy, either on one of the end ribs or on the center rib.

I vaguely recall double pilot chute rings on the top surface for a Viking (predecessor to the Viking Superlight) but just a single ring for a Strato-Cloud. So if a guy was going for a cheaper knock-off main canopy, I'd guess he'd go for the cheaper knock-off container as well. But I could be persuaded that it's a Strato-Cloud (distinctive bottom vents) and Wonderhog.

Do we get to speculate? Here's my guess: Reserve: Navy 26' conical, military surplus Main: Pioneer Viking (copy of a Para-Flite Strato-Cloud) Container: Pioneer (don't remember the name) (copy of RWS Wonderhog)

Glide ratio is numerically equal to the lift/drag ratio. Adding weight increases the forward speed, but also increases drag in the same proportion, so the ratio remains the same. You can google "glide ratio is independent of weight" and see any number of articles on the subject, and none to the contrary. The flight path angle with respect to the horizon depends on the glide ratio and winds. When flying in a headwind, a more heavily loaded canopy will have a shallower angle than a lightly loaded one. When flying with a tailwind, it is the more lightly loaded canopy that will have a shallower angle. In both cases, the glide ratio is the same. The airspeed is different, and the amount of time of exposure to the wind conditions is different. Do not equate glide ratio with the flight path angle with respect to the horizon.

I agree with nwt. Before the 2001 rule change, the regulation was unambiguous -- skydivers were required to use single-harness, dual-parachute systems. Because of poor drafting, the 2001 change addressed only what a single-harness, dual-parachute system consisted of, to distinguish it from a tandem system, instead of requiring its use. But it doesn't matter. It's been litigated, and the commonly-held (pre-2001) position prevailed against us barracks-lawyer types (or sea-lawyers, if you prefer). The incident was Dwain Weston, Royal Gorge Bridge, 5 October 2003.

No. In particular, in your photo, pulling the red handle detaches the pilot chute pouch with the pilot chute still inside it. If you pull and throw the red handle, you'll have a pilot-chute-in-BOC in tow.

It should have gone to your rigger for a complete inspection before you paid money.

Is your secondary character a nice guy? Does he actually intend to catch her, or is he going to just step out of the way? One way they both get badly hurt; the other way only she gets badly hurt. The second story window in your house is about 15 feet above the ground. Imagine jumping out and being caught by someone standing on the ground.

What the O.P. doesn't realize is that his friends and family are already skydiving. He just needs to meet them.

No. The first 10-20 pound stretch is for marking. I didn't mention: cutting must be done with a hot knife, not shears or scissors, so sheath and core are both tensioned the same to share the load.

Poynter's procedure comes in two parts. First is tension for marking -- see Vol 1 para 7.25.H.4, on page 399: 10 pounds for Type-2, 20 pounds for Type-3, and mark within 30 seconds of applying tension. Then there is pre-stretching, in 7.25.H.5: "Pre-stretch the line by applying tension to the full line equal to 10% of its rated strength (55 lbs for Type-3 line and 40 lbs for Type -2 line) for 15 minutes. Relax tension and remove the line from the [tension device]." I have no idea why additional pre-stretching/tensioning would be required after marking the line.

You can always find someone to agree with you if you are persistent enough. All we ask is that you get video of your jump. At least the landing. National, Para-Phernalia, and Precision all choose not to service equipment more than 20 years old. Sunpath and RI have made similar statements. In these cases, the manufacturers acknowledge that these life limits are not legally binding, so riggers will not be in trouble with the FAA if they pack them. They are still exposed to civil liability, but if they are not concerned about liability, they can be blase about finding themselves in court after an accident, being asked, "What exactly do you know that the manufacturers do not?" Ask your "Rigger in the US" if he is okay with packing a RI Aviator pilot rig that is more than 15 years old, or if he is okay with packing a PD reserve with more than 40 packs (one that has not been reinspected and recertified by PD), or if he is okay with packing a Security 950 more than 10 years old.