skydude2k

Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents as being in the middle of stuff gives another perspective. Thanks to everyone for these fine words and congrats. Well done to everyone in team GB for showing the rest of Europe exactly where we are with 4way in the UK and carrying the numerous flags with pride. Let’s use this to help push UK skydiving upwards with the same ferocity of change that we have been seeing in the last few years. Spa is a beautiful and friendly DZ which was well run and I have to say that (with the exception of the computer screen getting a little ahead of the computer voice) with all the re-jumps, camera flyer contentions and cutaways to mess things up the flow of the competition was amazing. Many other DZ’s struggle to get things going well when everything is fine so a big well done and thank you to the Dudes and Dudettes at SPA. I believe that the exclusion of the rookie class from the Sprite competition was due to the rookie class being added so late to the competition and it was deemed unfair as some countries could not gather any teams in time. As for politics/bad vibes. From where I was it seemed to me that lots of people were talking about what only very few people had said. This seemed to make the issue far larger at the time than it was. These situations only have whatever power you give them and I personally did not receive any negative comments directly. Everyone that I spoke to congratulated “HELiX” had only good things to say about the current level of UK jumping and acknowledged that if you want to win then train hard, be committed and if you win then you deserve it. I know there were complaints about the differing standards but I think that Willie put that to bed with his statement made at the start of the forum. The ESL is an evolving thing. It will take time to settle and mature to something that everyone will be happy with. The only complaint that I had regarding the comments by Ettes(Excuse the spelling) during the medal ceremony was acknowledge and dealt with in a satisfactory manner at the forum on the Sunday. There was a lot of talk about the obvious differing standards in jumping and the classes that teams are in. People are more resistant to change than they might admit. From the number of teams that were at the UK nationals this year there is obviously room to move to a 4 class competition. If this were to happen then the feeling was that ESL would include the AA class. The UK GP’s are slightly different but the attendance at these varies considerably and I think that this has little to do with the classes available to compete in. The only additional expense is another set of medals. Currently in the UK the move to a AA class from BPA intermediate is not that great. For Southparc and Optic this was possibly a factor? Although I don’t wish to second guess anyone’s decisions. New teams moving from rookie to A class then AA class would face a substantial challenge at reach change before the mind F$&k that is the full AAA class dive pool. Surely if we have learned anything in the last couple of years it is that the better prepared we leave our existing class the less traumatic/ more enjoyable the step up is. This leads to better performances. Making more teams with more willingness to progress a little further. This ultimately will lead to a far higher standard when people finally decide to move finally to AAA. I know that there are many people who have an opinion on this but the loudest voice in the debate should be us the competitors. In the past I was not convinced but now believe that the UK is ready for a 4 class competition. This might take a year or two to settle down but it is usually better to “take the hit” of change earlier than later. Now this has the added benefit of making the UK one of the pioneers in helping establishing a European wide view at competition FS. I was going to sign this post like Brian’s above with “British National Champion (Intermediate)” and European Skydiving Champion (A Class). However my renowned modesty prevented me from doing so. Cheers and see ya all at Sibson Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.

The cutting fluid that is left on the inside, will for a time attract a lot of dirt. As it gradually dissapates the dirt becomes much less, but it's still there. During the manufacturing process of the cable routings, oil is used. The oil on the outside of the routing is cleaned-off. There is an oil residue that remains on the inside of the routing.Quote Thanks dudes I am starting to understand now. I think that the point has been well made about maintaining the 3ring correctly and ensuring that the cutaway housings and cables are cleaned regularly and in the correct manner. It also looks like there are some extra considerations to be aware off on new kit due to possible contaminants introduced in the manufacturing process. These can either cause a problem themselves and/or amplify the effect of dirt in the housings. Thanks again all for your input Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.

Thanks for you input. The wings manual states that the assembly should be inspected every month. Proper maintainence is always a good idea. I can't see any recommendations for cleaning inside the housings however. Have not seen this problem in any of the previous 6 or 7 rigs I have owned from various manufacturers. Same maintenance schedule, number of jumps in the same conditions. Just though that there might be more to the problem than accumulation of dirt. Could be a supplier issue if the ICON service bulletin and this problem are related (Im not suggesting they are but thought I’d throw my tupence worth in). It felt like the inside of the housing was coated with rubber and the houding material may be used with rubber inside in another application. I don't want this thread to degrade in to just a debate about kit maintenance. Has anyone else seen a similar problem on their rig. Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.

I have just sent my new wings to my friendly neighbourhood rigger for is first reserve repack. Strange thing happened when I went to cut away the main canopy. The cut away was very stiff it was very difficult to pull with one hand. Had to use both hands. I could see that the cables were having trouble coming out of the housing. On inspection of the yellow Teflon cables had a black rubbery gooiey substance on them. Looked at my wife’s wings which was made at the same time had a lesser amount of the same stuff on the cables. Cut away force was a little stiffer than I would have liked but manageable with one hand though, not like mine. I discussed this with the rigger and he suggested cleaning the cutaway system as per the service bulletin on the ICON. I’m thinking that its unlikely a build up of dirt as these rigs are less that 6 months old. Has anyone else seen any similar problems on their rig? Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.

Sorry stratostar looks like I replied incorrectly to you. I was intending to send a general post to eveyone on the thread and to anyone who has a wings but didn't give any details about contain sizes or canopy sizes. Kinda not used to this forum stuff. I should get better with practice. Kinda like a lot of things in life. Cheers Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.

If you are posting to this thread it would help if you include the size of your wings and the size of the canopies in it. I jump in Scotland which is possibly the hop n pop capital of the world and I have done many from various altitudes in my time jumping and never had any noticable hessitations. That is...... I now have two new wings and my wife has one. I have experienced two +5 sec P/C hesitations after pin pull on hop and pops. One on one of my wings which is cut for a 107 with a 107 Stilletto in it and the other when test jumping my wifes wings which is a cut for a 120 with a 120 sabre 2 in it. Haven't had the chance to jump my other wings sub terminal yet which is cut for a 107 with a 97 stilletto in it but even this is a tight fit. A master rigger friend has had a look at it. Has suggested talking to Sunshine as it looks like the main closing flap when seated in its slot can increase the force required on the bridle to pull out the bag. All our wings are new and I'm monitoring to see if it gets any better as the container loosens off with use. I am very happy with the wings its well made and looks great and one of my of friends has had similar hesitations on their new javelin with the correct size canopies when it was new. This problem disappeared after a few jumps Keep monitoring your own kit. If there is something you don't like about it. Talk to the manufacturer and or a rigger. But if you are trying to put a larger canopy in there than the container is cut for then you need to be carefull with any container. You never know how low you will need to get out of a plane Doug Mclelland OC - Team Fusion A mind like a parachute, tends to work better when open.