masterrigger1

...and you are 100% correct. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Look at the old AC-105-2C regarding compatibilty. It is still a reference even though outdated. I also have been advised that the standard of certification is the standard and it is to be maintained no matter what. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

They probably meet the TSO-23d standards.They do not meet the TSO-23b or TSO-23c standards. Also, if you are using a H/C that is TSO-23b or 23c rated, then the equipment that you install into should also meet those standards to be legal. And yes, I am stating that an OPT that is certified as TSO-23d should not be installed into a TSO-23b or TSO-23c container because the standards are different and not compatible. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You might want to look at the whole main opening on both videos before claiming a line is not routed through a ring properly. https://youtu.be/SN5Cp8oBq9E?t=9 https://youtu.be/SN5Cp8oBq9E?t=3 https://youtu.be/zihpcABVelM?t=20 MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes, but changing the slider stop locations is the key I think. Simply adding one at the "A" lines fixed the JFX's that I have dealt with. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Hookitt nailed it as far as what is the issue...Tension knots. With the VK, the way the slider stops are positioned are the issue. It makes certain lines be slack during the initial inflation stage, which can become entangled to other lines.Watch other videos of them inflating and you will see this. I have seen the same thing on some of the earlier JFX's. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

USPA members must have a TI rating to keep their membership. Otherwise, you can create a private rating if you so desire. I might just create a rating for this just to for people to have another avenue. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You must have missed my quote in another thread stating that the FAA does not know: 1. What exactly "recognized" is in the first place. 2. How one becomes "recognized". With that said, my company, being a FAA known business (since I am a DPRE for them and also run a skydiving business), would meet the criteria of "recognized". I just issue myself a master skydiving license and we would meet the whole rule. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You are right!! I must be reading into too hard... MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No, they are still suitable for jump given they are not in disrepair and are deemed serviceable by a current rigger. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I would say you would be legal to do tandems. I also would say common sense says to get a current TI to help you get current and go from there. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Don't know where you came up with that. The FARs state that you are required to have a medical, so it is law without any doubt. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No,it does not mean it HAS to be USPA. It could be anyone that creates a syllabus and gets "recognized" somehow by the FAA. Yes, you cannot get around this item. Nope! Rating not required, just to have completed a course and been issued a certificate of completion. The regulations state that the individual has to have completed a course by the manufacturer or has completed a course by someone acceptable to the Administrator. Also,it does not list or have any currency requirements in the regulations other than the 500 jumps before the course. Not saying that I agree with someone not being current, but just pointing out what the regulations actually state. See below: 105.45 Use of tandem parachute systems. (a) No person may conduct a parachute operation using a tandem parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a tandem parachute system, unless— (1) One of the parachutists using the tandem parachute system is the parachutist in command, and meets the following requirements: (i) Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in parachuting, and must provide documentation that the parachutist— (ii) Has completed a minimum of 500 freefall parachute jumps using a ram-air parachute, and (iii) Holds a master parachute license issued by an organization recognized by the FAA, and (iv) Has successfully completed a tandem instructor course given by the manufacturer of the tandem parachute system used in the parachute operation or a course acceptable to the Administrator. (v) Has been certified by the appropriate parachute manufacturer or tandem course provider as being properly trained on the use of the specific tandem parachute system to be used. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Go with the 580. The canopy will fly better and line life will not be much different between the two.Also the canopy will pack a lot smaller. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

That is correct, it has a drop-in bobbin. I failed to mention that, but other than the non-separable bobbin case, everything else is still applicable. As previously posted before on these forums, the 401A was my first zig-zag sewing machine that I ever had. I kept it in the loft until about 2-3 years ago. I finally gave it back to my Ex-wife (it was previously her Grandmother's machine). It was a great machine that would sew through 4 layers of type IV with no problem. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The golden rule for tension is this: 1.Always start with the bobbin tension first. 2.The bobbin tension should be as loose as possible, This means you should only fell slight (..and I mean slight tension) when pulling the thread with the bobbin case out of the machine. When you install the bobbin case into the machine,the tension will increase somewhat. The direction of the bobbin being unwound makes a hugh difference also. Make sure it is rotating correctly when pulling the thread. 3.You adjust the top thread to balance the two. 4.If you cannot balance the top thread, add tension to the bobbin. Then and only then. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If wanting a reliable 7 cell, I would recommend a Icarus Omega loaded at 1.2-1.4. It is more like a Triathlon with better openings and more flare power. It is probably the most overlooked canopy out there. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes, more than once. You have to replace the cam, gears, knife cam (if using the knives) and the clamp (most of the time). The 42 stitch should be longer East to West than the 28 stitch, thus the need for the longer clamp. Parts alone would be $1000 to $1400 usually unless you can find used gears. JR Sides @ Chambersburg Skydiving has a ton of Pfaff machines there. I think some of them are 42 stitch machines that you could buy for the parts. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Well, if you are packing rounds without a table, I would say 99% have a table of the ones that I know. You would be the 1%. My table is 36" X 36" X 46' long. I need the extra length for the ejection seats. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Kelly, Keystone sewing has some parts there in PA. The cloth plate is available here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/222177584410?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I have some parts here also. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I think this has been covered before, but here it is again. The law states that you must have a table. §65.127 Facilities and equipment. No certificated parachute rigger may exercise the privileges of his certificate unless he has at least the following facilities and equipment available to him: (a) A smooth top table at least three feet wide by 40 feet long. (b) Suitable housing that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated for drying and airing parachutes. (c) Enough packing tools and other equipment to pack and maintain the types of parachutes that he services. (d) Adequate housing facilities to perform his duties and to protect his tools and equipment. [Doc. No. 1179, 27 FR 7973, Aug. 10, 1962, as amended by Amdt. 65-27, 47 FR 13316, Mar. 29, 1982] MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

A couple of manufacturers; past and present, install the grommets the opposite way that the rest of the manufacturers do. Flight Concepts International (previously Glide Path) is one of them. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

With 800 jumps, the lines cannot be in trim unless it has been relined recently. This is with the assumption that the lines are Spectra. If the canopy has been relined outside of PD by someone lacking the proper skill set and knowledge, the lines could be very well installed incorrectly. A 600lb Technora line set would be my next suggestion if you cannot solve the issue otherwise. Simply installed and properly made, it will slow the openings down considerably. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Since I have been down that exact road so to speak.... No approval would be required if the manufacturer has two models with and without hip rings using the same TSO. For example, Relative Workshop/UPT makes the Vector III on the same TSO as the older Vector II and Wonderhog. You can install the Vector III harness on the Vector II legally without approval. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually true, Mark. I totally understood the context of what Jerry was stating. He was stating that there was not any requirements regarding mains period. He has stated the same in years past, which is not true. I also understand that there are no standards for a main other than airworthy. You will come back with the liberal approach and say that their are no published standards of airworthiness. I will then come back and state that a condition of airworthy itself is self explanatory and is enough for my point. And lastly, every main manufacturer in the USA that I know of has set standard of airworthiness that they use and they have a supervising rigger on staff to help accomplish this. The point that I was making was that all work, including inspections, must be performed by a certified rigger or someone under his/her supervision regardless of if it is a main or reserve. At some point in the manufacturing process the material being sewn becomes a "parachute". Where that point is is debatable, but I think everyone would agree that at final inspection, it is then truly a "parachute". At that point, someone would have to inspect and agree it is a airworthy product before going out the door and determining airworthiness is a rigger's responsibility. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com