ripcord4

Is there any reason to avoid a rig with a Swift + reserve in it? Are there now or have been any problems with them?

Yeah, I have already run into that, especially with riggers.

Thanks for the feedback, guys, I appreciate it. Has any MC-4/5 owners have any problems with it. I know the canopies are humongous and heavy. What to do / not do.

If it's good enough for Uncle Sam, it's good enough for me! LOL, ROFL, PIMP. Seriously, the MC-4 has 8 jumps on the main and is only 6 years old. Yes, it's really big and ugly and not all that fast, but it is reliable and for $400 I can overlook a lot.

Thanks, Matt. I have an opportunity to get an MC-4 cheap but have been told a military rigger must pack it - that an FAA rigger could not. That didn't sound right to me which is why I posted the question. Now if I can find someone at DeLand or Z-Hills to pack it!

Does anyone know for a fact that FAA riggers are not allowed to repack a military MC-4 reserve canopy? I have heard it both ways. Anyone from the FAA out there to answer this one way or the other?

Thanks, Ed. It good to know I'm not the only returning geriatric case. I intend to stay above 200 sq ft to take it easy on my old bod for a while. I actually have a line on a military MC-4 with 370 ft canopies. Very cheap so I may start with that. I am well aware that I will be starting over and have to relearn everything - hence the AFF course. Larry D-2238

Thanks, Ed, I appreciate all the advice. Any recommendations as to a good "beginner's" canopy. I am 62 years old, 5' 9", 170#, have 2,611 jumps, both military and old sport rounds. As was said in "TOP GUN" I do not need to tear through the sky at Mach 2 with my hair on fire. I want reasonable performance and slow, steady landings. I'd like to stay above 200 sq ft.

Yeah, I know it is an accuracy canopy which is why I thought it might be more stable in deep brakes. I doubt I would put that many jumps on it.

I just want a docile, forgiving, stable canopy that will let down my 62 year old bod without too much trouble. I am just getting back into free-fall skydiving after a loooong layoff - PC days. I have 2 square jumps and intend to take an AFF course to knock off all the rust and learn the squares. I have an opportunity to buy the P/F 270 reasonably priced. I am not going to be making a lot of jumps.

Guys 'n' gals...what are the pros and cons of the Parafoil, specifically the Foil 2000 270 sq ft? Any particulat quirks in jumping, opening or packing?