Canadianfella

Man up - the VR360 is a great reserve and it's toggle pressure isn't that bad. I'd rather have a VR-360 than a SET, Sigma or hop 330 **in terms of toggle pressure... The last time I had to use the VR-360, it was because the mammoth on the front of me helped me blow up the main... He was a solid dude around 240lbs and I had no issues flaring it myself. I'm 5'11" and 175lbs... and by no means am I "strong"... We stood up the landing in light wind conditions. That canopy flares nicely. **it's not the equipment that's the issue...

While a $25 buffer sounds like a good idea to me as a rigger, it would frustrate the hell out of me as a customer... Example: Shortly before I became a rigger I took a rig I was selling to the Perris loft to have it repacked for sale to a friend. When I received the rig back, they had replaced all the elastic keepers on the rig and charged me a buck or so each... They did a couple other minor things like restitch a piece of unimportant velcro (pile) as well and charged me that $25... I was pissed... I was selling the rig and sure as shit didn't need them to replace those things that would not change the airworthyness of the rig. I will never go back to that loft nor will I ever suggest a friend go. Hell, I take my tools with me each time I go to perris and if a friend has a mal, I offer to pack it for cheap so they will NOT go to the perris loft. There are too many riggers out there trying to nickel and dime ya... If the customer isn't ok with it, the work doesn't get done. Period.

Check out: http://www.lookma.de/ They're expensive but it's quality gear. And comfortable with 35+ lbs in it.

Is this all new equipment? Did you purchase it all together or is it pieced together from all over? Either way, I'd be asking the mfg to send me a demo canopy ON risers, as well as a shipping label so I could send the canopy and risers that are damaged back... They should be fixing that stuff for free and returning it on them. The band-aid fix they've given you doesn't make up for the fact that their poorly manufactured equipment is damaging your gear. If they're not willing to support the product that they manufactured and sold you, get rid of it and buy gear from a manufacturer that will.

Yep, that's what I meant when I said "or someone that can pass on my info"... If someone knows how to contact her I will happily forward my info... Would really like to chat with her about gear.

Hey, I'm trying to find Cathy Schlatter... Anybody know how I can contact her? I've got a mailing address, etc. etc. from the FAA website but am hoping for a phone number or email address... or someone that can pass on my info so I can chat with her. PM me please if you have details. Thanks.

Thanks Terry. I'm looking for a phone number or email for her if you or anyone knows... I'd like to discuss gear with her. Any help is appreciated. Thanks again.

Does anyone have contact info for the above rigger? I'm trying to get a hold of her. If you have contact info, please PM me or have her do so? Thanks...

2 years ago I lost an N3 because the velcro it came with didn't hold well. It came off in freefall, on video and when I sent the video to them to tell them their velcro sucked they basically said "tough luck" and offered to sell me another. I bought a Viso. Cheaper and better customer service. To ensure I never lost another alti, I sewed the hand-mount piece from the Viso onto this simple, $5 'wrist guard' from the sporting good store. I don't even do the velcro up tight, just enough to make sure the thing can't move past my hand. The elastic is still good about 1000 jumps later. Total cost: $5 for band, pennies in thread and about 5 minutes of my time.

1. Pay through paypal with your credit card. That way if the person screws you, both Paypal and your credit card company are on it. It add's about 3% to the price, but it's worth the security of knowing you can't be out thousands. If you do get screwed, call your credit card company and tell them you never received goods, you sign the paper they send and the charge is off your card. 2. Tell the person to ship it labelled "Return of borrowed goods" or something similar. The only way customs causes issues is if they think you've bought something... If they think you're just getting something back that's already yours and paid for, you won't pay duty on it no matter the "value". Ensure they don't put a receipt or invoice in the box - mail that separately if there is one...

Where's you get your old, proven knowledge from? The bonfire? Google is your friend... Rain drops are NOT shaped as you (and maybe most) think - with pointy bits up...

I jumped the Phantom X/GoPro setup on some bigways this past summer... It was a great tool and far better than having to jump an open-face helmet. It is really easy to rig up, as all you have to do is switch out one lens for another. On the phantom x this only takes about 30 seconds. With such a small camera, top mounted, in a mounting bracket that's pretty much snag free, you're off to the races. You'd have to do something pretty messed up to snag anything on that setup. As for cutaway, just unclip the buckle on the side of your head and away it goes. If your helmet is properly sized you'll be fine. There is already a tab that the snap is attached to, so you don't need to go adding more stuff to the helmet... The Phantom X go pro mount is the most snag free mount I've seen for gopro. And it's not so heavy that it weighs your visor down - I landed with my visor up every jump.

There's at least one in northern California. Quebec generally allows tandem students to jump at 14 with parental consent. You could go there.

I spoke with Alti-2 a month or so ago and I was told it was delayed because they were having a hard time getting container approval from each manufacturer after the argus bs had hit the fan. So until they can get things sorted with container manufacturers I think they're SOL... Perhaps someone with more recent info can chime in, like I said, that's a month or two old?!

Last correspondence I had with Alti-2, they suggested that it could be a while because manufacturers are reluctant to approve any new AAD after this argus bs... so no confirmed date of release at this point.

never jumped there but know a few people that have... friends with the owner too. he's a solid dude and so are the rest of the people that i know jumping there.

Just wanted to post a picture of the current student gear... cause i know you're all wondering! Keep in mind, it is set up for static line in the photo... the accoutrements are simply in the photo for explanation... the golf ball at the boc (barely visible) is a practice handle for students transferring from S/L to freefall. The actual ripcord handles are the same, only with a pin attached and routed through the housing on the R side main flap. The handle on top of the main pin cover flap is there to show what is used to cock the AAD prior to setup for freefall. The RWS springloaded pilot chute below the rig is what is used for freefall students. ...for safety... ***Edited to add photo... oops.

Solos are common among experienced freefliers. While it would be rare to see a 1,000 jump belly flier do a solo, someone can do a HD or sit solo and really challenge themselves to get stable in different body positions. In fact, sometimes a solo is the best way to work on some of those drills. I'm not saying your wrong.... but I don't know many FF'rs that "commonly" do solos whether they have 200 or 2000+ jumps. I personally think it's better to work on drills with another jumper NOT solo. I agree we should hold back on speculation, and I didn't know the jumper. But right now with the few facts that have been provided they point to intentional deharnessing. When the rig is found with ALL straps completely undone it would be naive to not consider that possibility, sad as it is. I'm not sure if you know who Mike Swanson is, but I hear he's a pretty experienced freeflier with a LOT of jumps. The last two times I saw him, at two different dropzones, three years apart, he was doing solos. On both of those occasions, he jumped more than one time each day and was solo every time I saw him. Just because you're awesome or have a lot of jumps does not mean you don't do solos.

Such a snag hazard... Try this: http://funjump.com/products.html Good quality, great service and super easy to use... access to all buttons, plugs and chips without taking the camera out of the glove. Quality glove.

I'm lazy and don't have time right meow to search. Was this washer issue announced by aviacom long ago and I missed it, and CSPA is terrible about announcing that issue too, just like it is WAY behind the curve announcing the Aerodyne riser cover issue, or is CSPA the only one that knows? Here is the TB... I can't seem to upload it and it's not on the website yet... TECHNICAL BULLETIN #98 Item #1 - Icon Containers with Skyhook Installed Aerodyne has become aware of recent instances in which a Skyhook Icon container was incorrectly packed with the main risers misrouted under the reserve tab causing a riser cover to not release the main riser when the main was deployed. During testing it was also found that some combinations of components (rig sizing, reserve size, etc.) could potentially result in an incomplete riser deployment when deploying the reserve during a total malfunction. Aerodyne has modified and tested an updated riser tuck tab design to prevent these occurrences and has as a general update and safety measure decided to implement this design in all Icon equipment with a Skyhook. This is a mandatory recall of all Icon containers with Skyhook option manufactured prior to January 14, 2011. For more information contact: Aerodyne Research, LLC 1405 Flightline Blvd Unit 20 Deland, FL 32724 813-891-6300 Item #2 – Substandard Loop Washers An Advisory Product Service Bulletin issued by Aviacom SA cites a problem with loop washers, better known as “smiley” washers, that have been in general use in parachute systems with an AAD installed. Apparently certain discs can break or rip from hole to hole. The problem has been known by the disc supplier since 2009 and according to the supplier at least 400 are still out in the field. Canadian Heritage Patrimoine canadien Sport Canada AFFILIATE: AERO CLUB OF CANADA • FÉDÉRATION AÉRONAUTIQUE INTERNATIONALE Due to metal fatique, the disc can break at an unpredictable moment. A broken disc can break the reserve closing loop and cause an untimely opening of the reserve container at a critical time (e.g. floating and landing). Alternatively the damaged loop and/or washer may obstruct or delay the opening of the reserve container or hamper the reserve deployment. All parachute systems equipped with an Argus AAD should have their disk checked and replaced after each repack. Aviacom highly recommends replacing all smiley washers with stronger steel washers using a figure 8 knot for the loop. Free steel washers will be supplied upon request to all Argus users with mentioning serial number and date of manufacture. Figure 8 knot Steel washer Aviacom reminds all riggers that a replacement of the reserve closing loop is mandatory during each repack and that a minimum of 5kg pilot chute pressure must be maintained. Riggers have to consider knot slippage and loop stretch of up to 1 inch (2,5 cm) may occur when installing a new loop. Item #3 – Mandatory Cutter Replacement Period Extended Product Service Bulletin SB AMMO050910/3, replacing SB AMMO050910/2, in December 2010 extended the time period for mandatory cutter replacement of cutter units manufactured August 2007 and earlier for Argus AAD by Nobel Energetics. The grace period for mandatory cutter replacement was extended to the first repack after 31 March 2011—rapidly approaching. The cutter’s manufacturing date can be identified by the cable tag: Any Rigger A or B can unscrew the cutter and replace the old cutter with the approved one. The connector must be locked hand tight in order to ensure water resistance. All riggers must ensure that the Argus is installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines as described in the installation manual. For more information regarding Items 2 & 3 contact: Aviacom SA Karel Goorts, Managing Director Avenue Lavoisier 18 B-1300 Wavre, Belgium Phone: +32-(0)485 868 788 Barry McAuley – Chair Technical & Safety Committee March 2011

Yep, there's at least one in Perris... Until Sunday... but you probably won't know, it's pretty stealth!

Where do I get the extra 10% at? Take care, space I thought you could only give more than 100% if you were a hockey player.

I only pack reserves because I don't trust any of you to pack my reserve for me... **edit to add** ...ok, maybe Pete Swan...

I suggest we all just switch to newspeak so that the media can't understand ANYTHING that is said in these forums! My idea is doubleplusgood.

What about they're?! Does it not get used wrongly anymore?