masterrigger1

Obviously you have never jumped a canopy with Spectra, lined that same canopy with Vectran and then jumped it. I have and the difference is what I have previously explained. Spectra is easily shown that is has more elasticity to it than Vectran by simply putting a piece of Spectra on a line table, put it under load, make a mark that matches the same spot on the table, and then watch the two mark separate slowly. It will do it every time.. Vectran will not do this... So my statement stands. You need to look into it more. Dacron lined Mantas open just fine. Put Spectra on one and you will soon see the difference, enough to have to install a nose mod on them. Elongation (or lack of..) is an issue if you have a hard opening would you not agree?? Most people would think so. Thanks for making my point. Vectran will slow the slider down with increased friction from the Vectran material as I previously indicated. The problem is that is has NO stretch to it to speak of. Spectra does. You were speaking earlier of curves. If you have 0 elasticity or give to the load, it would be pretty much a straight line would it not?? Well since I have basically brought Vectran and Technora mediums to market, have developed line trims/line sets in the last 25 years or so for various canopies that are in use today, and lastly have test jumped them all; that is not problem. Also of note,NZ Aerosports uses exactly the lines that I have had developed over the years as do a couple of other manufacturers. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Absolutely, but the added parasitic drag of the bigger lines affects a smaller canopy more than a larger one. It will do three things. 1.Slows the canopy speed wise 2. Pitches the canopy slightly more nose down attitude 3. The combination of the two things above will diminish the flare. Although you could put a 400lb Dacron on it and resolve most of the issues associated with a larger Dacron. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Pretty much what Betsy said... Although I would not install Vectran on a Sabre I which is #4 on the hard opening canopy list.You simply don't want to make matters worse... With regards as to it matters less on larger canopies; I would disagree. All of the fatalities involving hard openings that are known to me, where were under canopies lined with Spectra. The smallest two canopies were both 120sq.ft while the majority were larger canopies. Just a few hard openings on Spectra lined canopies from another thread for example: Sabre2 210 – separated pelvis and shattered femur. Sabre2 190 – femur, elongated hip rings, dmg to both risers and stitching on cable housings Stiletto 120 – fatal - torn aorta, no damage to canopy Sabre2 170 – fatal - torn aorta and broken back Spectre 190 - fatal - incapacitated by opening Spectre 190 - fatal - incapacitated by opening, multiple broken lines MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I would never reline a Sabre I with Vectran simply because it would open harder. While Vectran does have more drag coefficient to slow down the decent of the slider (which in turn slows the opening), Spectra has more elasticity than Vectran which counts at the bottom end of the opening. This makes it a little more forgiving if you had a hard opening. I would reline it with my Black 600lb Technora. It would make the openings softer and more reliable and you should get 400-600 jumps out of it even in the desert environment if you take decent care of them. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The files were produced in both English and Spanish.Since they were made in NZ,USA, and also Spain. They are available in any size, i.e. 156 sq.ft. if so desired.They are stocked usually in "9"s though. Only the USA made canopies did not have the Type III Stab attachments or have a slider stop on the C Line. The USA built canopies were the ones with issues. The other ones were fine. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Great I will send the file via PM. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well, you sort of got one earlier when I replied since I have been working with those guys for over 17 years. You (your Master Rigger equivalent,etc...) can always have those lines shortened to the Safire I dimensions. It will take some time, but it can be done pretty easily.You have to remove the lines and re-install them. 1. First remove the B,C,and D Stab attachment bartacks (6) 2. Remove the UST Bartacks at the loop (8) 3. Remove the A-B and also the C-D bartacks at the junction of each (20) 4. Remove one line at a time. Put each line on a table with a peg, then tension with 8kgs of weight. Mark and cut each line as described in the file I will send you. 5. Re-Install that line and repeat. 6. After all the lines are resized,insert the B_Ds into the appropriate A or C Line. 7. Cut the USTs to length 8. Cut the LST to length 9. Re-Install USTs 10. Bartack the A-B, C-D, USTs and Stab attachments What line type do you have? Spectra or Vectran? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well first you were measuring the neighboring cells non-loaded rib to the center cell non-loaded rib. You need a helper to measure and measure from one center cell "A" line attachment seam to the other pulling it snug when you measure. The same goes for the length. First look at the length measurements makes me think it is a Safire I. Can you remember if the USTs were the same length when packing/pleating the tail? The Safire II has a longer #1 UST than #2 and #3. #5 is even longer than #. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well they started mid 2002, so it could be either one. Measure the distance between the double row stitching on the center bottom skin. This would be inside stitch to inside stitch (across the skin) at the nose. Then do the same at the B line attachments. Lastly measure the bottom skin length wise in the center, from nose to tail. Safire I should be: First width - 66.9 cm Length -213.0 cm Safire II should be: First width - 68.3 cm Length - 223.6 cm MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If you have noticeable line length differences between the old line set, then you have the wrong line set on that canopy.You probably have a Safire I and now have a Safire II line set on it. A Safire I has shorter lines than a Safire II. Also the Safire I USTs are all the same length where as the Safire II has uneven USTs. JFYI; USTs are Upper Control Lines or Upper Steering Lines which ever you prefer to call them. I just ran across a Hybrid that had the Safire II suspension lines and the Safire I USTs. This canopy came from the Spain factory this way. It was evidently one of the transitional canopies to the Safire II. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes, I do. Dave DeWolf had one and it is now owned by a friend of mine that may sell it if asked.It is a decent machine and will do what you are asking.(sewing toggle noses) Once again the Singer 143W is a machine that will do just about anything. I can get at least 20mm of clearance under the foot if using a 135X17 needle. As with any machine, you are limited only by the needle bar and needle.The longer the needle you can install, the more presser foot clearance you have. Do not confuse presser foot clearance with presser foot lift. Clearance is height that the presser foot can be successfully sewn with. Presser foot lift is the amount of clearance gained by using the knee lift ot the presser bar lever. To gain more clearance than the "presser foot lift", simply set the presser foot to where it does not touch the needle plate at BDC or with the knee lifter in the down position. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sure... The concept of the locking knob is to create an interference against the washer enough to basically lock the handwheel to the shaft. If the handwheel is not "locked down" to the shaft and is slipping, it is simply a matter of not creating enough interference against the washer. This means that the knob is not bottoming out against the washer and is bottoming out against something else like the end of the crankshaft to the inside of the Tension knob. By adding a shim washer, this should resolve the problem. Send me a photo or two of the crankshaft end and the inside of the Tension knob if you can. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It sounds like the lock screw is hitting the ear BEFORE the washer gets tight between the locking knob and hand wheel. To test this theory, simply remove the screw and then tighten the locking knob as normal without the screw in the knob. This will let you know if you have to shim the gap between the locking knob and hand wheel. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Not really. The first problem was that he had a OPT. The second was that he used it. If he had had a PDR instead, we would more than likely not be having this discussion, Wake up people!!! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Which Thread?? It was Spectra lines also; not Technora or any other High Modulus Aramid This was according to a few people that I spoke to at Mike's gathering, He supposedly had a lot of jumps on those lines. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well both items are not quite "antiques"..at least by general standards. And what about the flip side or the opposite of what you just stated? If you do not jump it much, why spend more money? Lastly a master rigger would have to do the alteration if the military did not set it up for a Cypres. A senior rigger is not legal to do that work. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, Only Flight Concepts International made the Mini-Cricket.None of the previous companies made that canopy. It was developed and tested in 1992 -1993. FYI, I am 6'1", weigh 235 lbs without gear, have one of these in one of my containers that was used twice, and it flew just fine both times. The placarded recommended weight is 138 lbs, maximum weight is 254 lbs. We tested this canopy at the same time we were doing the Jump Shack Tandem system. When the tests were complete, we decided to see what the Mini-Cricket would do with the two dummies used for the tandem certification. The result was that it opened, stayed intact, and flew just fine without stalling near the opening. I don't know what your deal is with the "20 year old reserves", but you and a few others have missed the big picture on that. Question for you... When ever has someone died because of older reserve canopies not working because of their design and age? My answer is 0... Next question.... When has someone died using newer reserve canopy designs? My answer is at least 11 that I know of..... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yep. Monte has built several different canopies since then and I am pretty sure he now holds a Masters certificate. He got his start packing mains at Skydive Carolina around 1992 when he was about 12 or 13 years old. He started building kites at first with scraps of fabric that I would bring him along with stuff he got elsewhere.Anytime it was windy, you would see him get the kites out and fly them for hours at a time. These kites were 7 and 9 cell "mini" canopies BTW... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here you go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LISTO-1620-Pencil-Refills-Box-of-72-Grease-Leads-WHITE-162B-/121599550747?hash=item1c4fe5e51b:g:sp0AAOSwPhdVCetO You can sharpen the leads with a hand-held pencil sharpener. The small cheapo type. Wipes right off also... Great for harness work also. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No and you don't need one. Simply hold the material in place for a few strokes to lock it down on each end. Yep. A simple knob. In for wider and out to make it more narrow. .... And it's not like you change the stitch width that much anyway. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here is an old thread. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4587472;search_string=singer%20143W;#4587472 In short, I own (or have owned) every single machine listed in these threads and then some.The only ones that I do not still own are the 20U and the 217.... With that said,I still think the Singer 143W is the best all around Zig-Zag that you could have in the loft. It needs to be fitted with a 135X17 needle to have enough clearance to do 8-9 layers of Type VIII though. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The bigger the canopy, the more total line length wise which makes more parasitic drag. This parasitic drag changes the angle of attack to some degree and has nothing to do with fashion, but more on engineering. Fashion must be a Canadian thing... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I have never seen a canopy need a reline after just 300 jumps or so with the 580 Vectran (which is what you are calling 550...) even in the desert. A canopy lined with 580 flies better than a canopy lined with 750 Vectran. It has nothing to do with "fashion".The canopy will rotate better at the flare because there is less parasitic drag from smaller lines. A canopy with 750lb Vectran will only last about 100 jumps longer than the 580 on average, just so you know. The benefit of the much smaller pack volume along with the higher performance of the smaller lines is the route I recommend. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes sir, I do. While there is no requirement to log H/C repairs on a pack data card, there is the requirement to log it in his or her own logbook which is to be kept for record for at least two years. Usually the customer that brought you the shoddy repaired equipment in the first place can point the finger as to what rigger did the previous repair. If they have a receipt for the previous work, it is in the bag so to speak. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Here's what I would do. I would try to talk to them face to face.If not, use the phone and advise them of the situation.If they continue to do work outside of their limitations after that, call your local FSDO. Also send them an email to document the same. By law they have to look into it and get back to you with a response or resolution. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com