dpreguy

Yes, this is the modification stamp. That's back so long ago that the FAA had certified lofts. In all likelihood, the "mod" is a "single T". (Although maybe not, as the certification "stamp panel" is still intact.) It may be cut all the way down to the lower lateral band-skirt; or it may have what was called a "Mitchell Lip" (mod cut about 6 or 7 inches above the skirt.) If you want to know, post a picture of the "mod". Yup, back in the day.

Spooky In my opinion, you would be ill advised to jump that piece of shit. I actually owned one for a few minutes and dumped it when it wouldn't open reliably. (As did a number of us back then.) Sometimes it would open, sometimes it wouldn't. Regularly those canopies didn't open for a long long long time, as in "almost didn't open". In one of the old Wally Gubbins movies, which were rife with parody and humor, a streamer goes on forever and the subtitle was, "Openings by Security". Do you really want to jump a parachute that had an earned reputation for not opening? The Unit was a piece of shit back then; and even though you found one in new condition, guess what? It's still the same.

As I recall, the Paraphernalia had a PD 235-240 or so in it and the Butler might have had a big Precision canopy. Or the other way around? - And, I still don't remember the toggle setups.

Mark and all: I was wrong about the single side release. The only Aviator I saw was 4 + yrs ago when it was packed at PIA. I can't remember if the Parapernalia and Butlers are set up the same way? I have packed these two brands of ram airs or several years now, but they only bring them in after over a year - or two, or longer. So, I can't remember their toggle setups. If they are set up in a similar way. I'm just all wet.

Looked closely at it at PIA 4 yrs ago with a packing demo by Margaret. Two toggles. Length of travel limited by type IV webbing...etc. Not a clear memory. Grace us with a picture. I occasionally pack the other ram air emergency rigs -Parapernalia and Butler. I wouldn't put one on a "just up for a ride" passenger.

Pilots, fully trained, maybe OK - I get your point, (but do not agree), but definitely do not agree that ALL pilot emergency rigs be ram air parachutes; as you are forgetting that many airplanes have passengers wearing parachutes too. Briefing or not, it is a distinct possibility, or even probability, the passenger will release one toggle and spiral down to the earth and have a violent impact. "What's this yellow loop for?...". What did my pilot tell me?...Ram air emergency canopies are for those who know something about flight, and have the presence of mind to either leave the toggles unstowed or to be sure to release both of them. And be trained, not just briefed. Any pilot who puts a ram air canopy rig on a non-aviation oriented passenger, in my opinion, would be irresponsible. The likelihood of a one side release is very high for a non- aviation passenger. The pilot can have whatever parachute he wants; but in my opinion, the passenger who doesn't know a parachute from a beach umbrella should only be wearing a parachute with a round canopy. And, please don't pretend a briefing will cure this. Briefing: "Whatever you do, don't just release just one of the yellow toggles, always release both of them".... etc. Passenger nods and then thinks,"What's a toggle"...."pull the yellow toggles" yadda yadda, but will be just a likely to forget this half ass briefing, (probably one minute while the engine is running), and end up pulling/releasing one of them. And even would do so after a long briefing because it is still very likely that a clueless passenger will release one side and then be overwhelmed by the G's, and either fail or forget to release the other side or will be slumped down into the harness so far they couldn't reach the other toggle, even if they wanted too. Round parachute? No problem, as once a round parachute starts making the passenger feel G's, the instinct would be to let it go. In my opinion, passengers with ram airs should be a no no.

""After a few attempts as a 7-year-old, “I didn’t touch the cherry-red bike my parents bought me,” said Terrence Hazelwood-Carter. Instead, he spent his summers in New York watching TV and playing Nintendo. The result: “I have almost an encyclopedic recollection of sitcoms” that’s handy for trivia games, says the business student. " " He's now 37. The pathetic part of this is that the parents let the little pantywaist wimp whiner crybaby get away with quitting. I wouldn't call that parenting.

I think one already did.

An appeal is something you have to do. If you don't want to, you just bow out and not participate in the appeal. *Only those who want to do so will be actual appellants, even though the original caption with all of the names will continue to be reprinted, because that was and is the 'name of the case' - the caption. But, *if one does not want to participate they have to make the legal move to get out. If they don't, they will be swept along as a group. Possibly some of the original plaintiffs, one by one, will take the necessary steps to withdraw from the appeal process? - leaving only those who don't get out as appellant(s). It costs money to appeal because it is a procedural nightmare. Only a few lawyers are regularly in this area of practice.

Yes, judgments draw interest. Statutory rate of (used to be ) 9%. Don't know what it is now. After the 30 days allowed by the judge, a lien may be placed on unpaid judgment debtors' real estate holdings for the amount owed; and if the creditor take the trouble to do so, (more legal work) the lien may be increased periodically as the interest accrues ... forever. If it is homestead property, it just sits there and waits until the property is sold or transferred by probate. If the liened real estate is not a homestead, a procedure may be instituted for a forced sale to recover the debt. Complicated, difficult, expensive, etc, but is available. And the costs of such collection are usually borne by the debtor. (Example: in a foreclosure on a mortgage on non- homestead property, the cost of the foreclosure is added to the amount recovered) Because there are so many statutory penalties and creditors' remedies to get debts paid, tactics to delay the inevitable are kinda just desperate measures, and usually just add to the final amount paid. And, creditors can "sell their papers", for a substantial discount, to professional debt collection companies. Those guys are ruthless and they know their stuff! Try missing a car payment when the papers you signed at the car dealership are sold to professional debt collection company.

I saw a jumper with red main toggles. I advised him that the reserve toggles are red, for a reason. With two out, if you are going to release the toggles on the main, or you want to release the toggles on the reserve, it is an opportunity to make a mistake and release one on each. Whatever color you choose on a main shouldn't be the same as on the reserve, except for the possible exception of the student steering situations described above. I'm not too keen on that either, as you would then have three red toggles on a two out. Sheesh. What adult can't be told to pull on the right toggle or the left one? Why the need for red and green colors anyway?

Red, in nautical terms - running lights etc. is always on the left. Green on the right. This is true worldwide. I think even on airplane running lights. To switch them would be kinda confusing for many who are familiar with the nautical and aircraft designation. Since there is no good reason to break that worldwide tradition, it would (in my opinion) be better to make the left red, the right green to accommodate those who already associate left with "port" and green to "starboard"; instead of creating another standard unique only to your dropzone.

Watched 3rd video w/the Valkyrie. Barrel rolls?? Nope. Mostly a bunch of 90 to 120 degree turns under canopy, alternatingly jerking the rear risers right, then left etc., finishing off with a couple of 360's under canopy. A 360 under canopy is not a barrel roll. Not even close.

OK, saw the maple leaf flag, so you are in Canada. Seems like the same to me.

Get over it and move on. This is America where you can own private property and do whatever you want with it. This guy doesn't have to be sensitive towards your needs, just because you want him to be. Maybe someone doesn't like your bumper sticker, or the color of your house or your college flag you fly on your house at football time, or something.. Are you going to change what you do to accommodate them? Maybe, but only if you want to. Someone's suggestion to explain how this affects you puts you in a begging position, and that is how it is. If you go that route and he still wants to leave it there - well that's that.

...fish antibiotics...?

Blue is up. Green is down. Pull before you hit the ground.

Yes, of course there are other things, but the announcer is the key. Hyping it up the day before, the morning before, etc. Good ground stuff.... (ask Twardo for a list)

Air to ground video steam would NOT help. People would be looking at the screen or their cell phones instead of the skydivers. its the last part of the dive that is impressive for the spectator, and that's also when the formation, if successful, will complete. At that point it is easy to see; and hear. Live video feed would only be a distraction. Saw a video'd one (single demo jumper in a stadium) and instead of looking at the skydiver, they were looking at the pathetic screen - even though the skydiver was right in front of them! Bad idea. As Twardo said, it will be the announcer that will make it an exciting show. Or a "ho hum". The excitement will not be created by the record being broken, nor the complex interweaving of the skydivers, nor the formation. The skill of the announcer will make or break this event as "spectacular" or just "kinda unique". The "Show Business" part/skill is the part of demo jumping least understood by most.

Still a "canopy first" type deployment that everyone has abandoned; except Strong. Keeping the 30's and 40's type design of a system makes Strong an outlier. If it is a good idea, design wise, then why don't sport designs use it? They don't because it is a bad idea to have your lines in your pack tray. (And I submit, even more of a bad idea for a seat pack.) Now that design has improved, it's time to change. Resistance to change because "we've always done it that way" is not a valid design philosophy.

I split the slider on my large Navigator demo canopy. (Made 6 loops instead of 4 because it was so big.) Has worked perfectly for 10 years. Split slider design hasn't changed for decades - I guess because it works. Might consider shorter risers to allow you to easily reach it though.

fca I think I can answer that. Stowing all lines in the diaper provides for "lines first" deployment. Stowing all of the lines in the pack tray, provides for "canopy first" deployment. See Parachute Rigger Handbook, Poynter manuals, etc. Think about it. Would you want your lines stowed in your pack tray? Canopy first deployment has been abandoned for almost all emergency, (and sport) assemblies for 50 years or more.

National 22 foot round. It was a terrible idea to make one that size to begin with. Lawn dart under the best of circumstances.

For lighter work - a Singer 188K. It's the one "Rags" uses in his sewing demos at PIA. Straight stitch only w/reverse. Smoothest fabric patching machine ever. Foot lifts high and even though it is probably the nicest patch and light work machine ever - it will still punch thru most anything. If you want walking foot, zig zag, etc. then no.

...when I shoved my hand in the hole in the dike to save the town....