hajnalka

Edit to say that most of the Vigil plactic opener damage we've seen has been due to temp pin damage immediately over or under the grommet. Its been delicate yet REAL. Hard to say how this would be the reult of power tools per se. Most riggers i know don't try to force delicate things like AADs.Quote

MEL - Sounds like a no-miss opportunity, so either Lyman or I (but hopefully both) will be there. I'll call you next week. Best, Dawn

Derek - Thanks for that. .... I admit, this thread had gotten my dander up . It's true that in my first few years of rigging, we saw a lot of rigs come in with broken stiffeners, and bent closing loop plates. I know for a fact that most of these were due to the brute use of force and had nothing to do with using tools. IMO, the tools we judiciously use make for better, tighter pack jobs with pull forces within limits (we use Dave De Wolf's "pull Check" to test them.) The rigs look better, reserve deployments are as clean and safe as we can make them, and - BOTTOM LINE - we are not damaging the rigs in the process. I'd hope that every rigger out there is trying to make rigs safe, tight, snag-proof, and over all make sure the reserve will deploy outside the burble,and save the person. To me, whether or not you use tools to effect this result is immaterial .... as is arguing about tool use with riggers who have thousands of saves .

But ... but ... there's no freebag

Anne - Still don't know about jump plane, but I might/probably have found a videographer for you . See you guys tomorrow, Dawn

What btvr said. The CASAs are here surprisingly often, but not necessarily when you'd expect. It just depends on when they're leased out to other DZs for events, or for military contracts. We've flown CASAs on some amazingly s-l-o-w weekends this summer. Your best bet is to call the DZ and ask to speak to Nancy about what planes are scheduled to be 'home' this weekend. Also, I'll be out there tomorrow (Fri) and can talk to the pilots and send you a PM about what planes we plan to use for the weekend. In any case, welcome in advance! We're very glad to have you at CSS. Best, Dawn

Awesome. Seat rigs can certainly be a challenge .... Very cool for you to be helping out this master rigger. Best, Dawn

Thanks, Nate. Wish I could have had the entertaining experience of seeing his 'interesting' landing

I don't need my power tool to close reserves, but I sure like having my power tool to close reserves. I know they're controversial, though. I think it's a matter of prudence and judgement, and testing pull force. At least one major US rig mf includes a power tool in its reserve packing instructions, and a very prominent, long-running US rigging course lets the students use one to pin reserves (i.e. for the last flap.) What's a 'molar strap' ? Just kidding! To the OP: Do you have access to anyone with a machine shop who could make one for you? That way you can get it made to your own specs. Mine's titanium and was made by a skydiving friend. Peace, D

Businesswise: John Lyman is leaving early in the morning Tues, 31 Jul for a family emergency. He 'plans' to be back Sun, 5 Aug, but we really don't know when he'll be back. I'm leaving Sun 5 Aug 07, and will return Sat 11 Aug, although my plans depend somewhat on Lyman's situation. We're going to try to keep the loft & store covered as best we can. Please try to call me on my cell or in the loft in the next 2-3 days if you have any urgent rigging. (If you don't have my cell, PM - I WILL be on line frequently.) We will try to help you out as best we can! We love you guys, and respect all of our customers. Thanks for trusting us to keep you safe, thanks for your understanding, and thanks for the support you've already (or should I say always??) shown us. Meantime, keep up our CSS safety culture, or we will sic the vicious Saftey Puppy on you when we get back! Consider yourselves warned ..... -Dawn

Um Chicka rocked .... esp realizing that 3 of them pretty much never fly on their bellies - yeah, Tess! I'm VERY proud of the Fockers - I know you've worked hard, and you got that tunnel time you wanted

Brandon: I cannot BELIEVE that you guys passed up the chance to use the name: Ott*r D#r&o*p*p*($ing$&%*(s. Best name for a 4-way team I've ever heard (Xcept for Snatch Force, a womens team from FL many years ago.) I used code up there, so you can use that name again someday ONLY until/unless someone figures it out. So, hurry! Love, D p.s. Everyone come home safe. We've missed you.

I vote #1 - absolutely gorgeous! .... all sunshine and blue skies. All of them are pretty, except I hate #5 with the yellow ribs. I've been on some pretty contentious tandem main coloring committees ... #1 is happy and pretty for the customer, easy for their friends and family to spot in the air, and a snap to pack, inspect and maintain. (Greg - the all-white topskin will be very slow & reluctant to absorb UV rays. Important with a tandem canopy that's in the sun for 5+ minutes every jump, as UV does huge damage to canopy fabric. Remember how our neon rainbow Stongs all blew up? ) Also light colors are very much easier to inspect and repair .... this is why many reserves are white, lt blue, yellow, etc. This is a big investment for Eric. We're finding black doesn't wear well at all on our TDM canopies. Plus when an instructor sees damage on a black cell on a jump it's really, really hard for us to find on the ground afterwards unless we hang the thing up - annoying with busy Saturdays and back-to-back calls. Lyman would say that you're screwing yourself with the asymmetry, but since it's on the bottom skin I think it's all good. Also, some of the instructors might say that you'll be hard to spot at opening, esp. if clouds, etc. But I'd say they're a bunch of pansy-assed, pussy whiners . -D p.s. Thanks to everyone who was kind to me and wished me well after my recent leg injury. Never thought Safety Puppy could do that much damage! It will be awhile before I'm 100%; John and I appreciate your understanding.

He actually is talking Odyssey. Answer - yeah, it's slightly different but no harder. One extra flap. However, for me, the thing is they changed/improved a few minor instructions on packing all Javs in general (how to stow reserve PC fabric comes to mind) - not just ones with a Skyhook. Since I've rigged full-time and maintained hundreds of the things for 7 years, my process is so ingrained that I have to stop and think, "Oh yeah, now we do that this way." I'm very impressed with the new Skyhook Odysseys I've seen. Especially love the improved riser covers. One thing I'm very careful about - but esp. when assembling any new Skyhook rig, or repacking one that's new to me, is measuring bridle length from hook to freebag and hook to pilot chute, making sure the hook is facing the right way, etc. but that's easily become part of the inspection process. Hope this helps. Enjoy your new rig!

Mark - Exactly - I noticed that, too. I could not take the written until I had visited the FSDO and got their endorsement: which required the repacks, logbook examination, supervision letter, etc. Oh, and proper ID. You REALLY need proper ID. I had my ducks in a row, and the FSDO people were wonderful to me. (Hint: since I became a rigger as an apprentice, calling my FSDO early and often was very helpful to me. They really will go out of their way to help you if you just ask.) One small note: I was able to fill out the 8610 forms AT the FSDO. In fact our local guys seemed to prefer that. MEL - thanks much for the linesets . All my best, Dawn

Totally agree about retrimming VS relining. Retrimming generally also weakens the lines, which can lead to breakage - and you'll have to get it relined fairly soon anyway. But --- please don't wait until there's a 5" difference in the A lines! Especially if it has Spectra lines, and as dramatic a planform as a Katana (not familiar with Hurricanes.) We saw the original Katanas with Spectra line start to have serious deployment issues with as little as 200-250 jumps. I'm very glad they went to a more dimensionally stable line. Just plan on getting the thing relined, in my opinion (and if you're buying it used, factor that into the cost.) Kind of like with race cars. More performance = more critical maintenance

I've seen this exact thing a lot. Usually the wt limit is toward the top of the label and doesn't fade as much/as quickly as the SN and DOM do. Also, some manufacturers use stamps, some use 'Sharpie'-type pens, etc. and they wear out at different rates. It's intriguing, though - could you post a picture? I have never seen a label where I immediately thought: "Hey, this thing never had a SN/DOM written on it!" I have often seen them wear off very quickly. I've seen two canopies where they were obliterated on the label. One was stolen; the other didn't show up on the stolen gear database, and I was told it had been 'decomissioned' or 'retired' from the military. Can anyone confirm this - that retired military gear might have the SN obliterated? Thanks.

Keka - I second that about the Raeford boogie - what an amazing time! I seriously hope it's an annual event now. Our gold standard has always been the Eloy holiday boogie. I suggest you gather up a bunch of people from your DZ and GO! - or, just go to Eloy for any event betw. about Oct. and Mar., and enjoy that Arizona magic. This DZ kicks serious ass, and their events are second to none. I was only at WFFC once. Might get flamed for this, but -- Scary stuff. Seemed like too much carnage + debauchery for me, and I didn't care to go back. I believe this was in '96 or 7. Maybe it was better in the old days? I've heard wonderful reports from both Lost Prairie and Skyfest attendees, but have not been to either. Maybe one of these years ... Best, D p.s. If you're an apres-skydiver and prefer after-beer light activities, hands down the best pics I've ever seen were from the Naughty Cupid boogie .

Whats funny is i busted Kevins chops after the film festival for not mentioning us he felt so bad but it was funny cause he was already drunk. Gald yall liked it....We had 5 guys, put one rig out of comission doing the CRW and I was very tired afterward, still managed to film the big way too. Jake - Well, we all appreciated you. There were serious PA announcements letting us know when the plane had taken off, when you'd be in the air etc. so Kevin shouldn't feel too bad; your demos were well-watched by everyone. Most of our CSS people had never seen a low 3-stack, or a 2-stack get landed; they were "oohing" and "aahing" all over the place. I missed the downplane, dammit. And thanks for filming the big way (any chance I can get a copy of that?), and congrats for placing in the the top 6 of the film festival! Best, D

Seems like you'll always have people chasing the wind sock, no matter where you are or what rules are in place. I saw a few loads Sat. where almost everyone butt-slid in because the winds had changed - but at least there was a pattern (road to runway.) Bottom line - there were plenty of PA announcements re: patterns, landings were monitored by the organizers, individual issues were addressed, and like the above poster pointed out: NO serious incidents or collisions. Given the amount of traffic in the skies at some points, I'd say everyone did an excellent job. Best, D

....let's don't forget Military Demos. Misha's Black Daggers video was awesome! - and so were the demos that I saw on Saturday. Much thanks to the 82nd (and everyone else who was involved) - those demos rocked! The crowd was really "wowed" by your excellent CRW. Extremely well done. -D

Kevin: Please please please please do this again next year??? Seriously. What an awesome boogie. All of us CSSers had wonderful times. I know it must have been a huge amount of work for you, and you did us all proud. Even John Lyman had fun .... enough said- it's been about 5 years since he'd had any fun skydiving. Kevin - THANKS for all you did. We seriously appreciate it. Just have better aim throwing me a girlie shirt next time . All my best, Dawn

This is way late, but just FEI I'm bringing the huge (like, gym-floor-sized) tarp I got for packing Bridge Day BASE rigs. -D

Eric - Thanks for being my 'co-rig-taker-downer' to Raeford for the weekend.

Major congrats to you, Eric. I knew you could survive + do it!!! It was touch-&-go at times, what with you doing those dangerous wingovers and all. There were plenty of times when I had my heart in my throat, watching you complete your dangerous high-altitude front-riser and harness approaches! ... stay out of the corner, and avoid all of the other canopy traffic, plan your pattern, then continue to "wow" the crowd with your eventual swoop ... while usually trying to film a tandem landing. . YEAH!! Go, Fockers!