masterrigger1

Not actually true Jerry. The FAA has clarified that a few years ago in the Pre-Amble to Part 65. You have to hold a certificate to do work on parachutes and also the appropriate rating to the work at hand. From 65.111 (c) No person may maintain or alter any main parachute of a dual-parachute system to be used for intentional parachute jumping in connection with civil aircraft of the United States unless that person— (1) Has an appropriate current certificate issued under this subpart; or (2) Is under the supervision of a current certificated parachute rigger; Another regulation is that mains have to be packed within 180 days just like a reserve. This is a question in my oral test that is missed probably at least 75% of the time by riggers that are trained by someone else. The point is, mains do have regulations and policies. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes Sir!! i even buy the beer! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Again, the definition or requirement to be a non-destructive test is that it should leave the test subject in the same state that it started with. By your first sentence, you just described and admitted it to be a destructive (material altering test). MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I know that you and about three others don't agree with me. The obvious problem with that is none of you have any NDE or NDT experience unless I missed something somewhere. With regards to the balloon testing procedure you posted, if you will note they have a very in depth flow chart. They are very careful not to enter into a plastic stage of testing.This is a point where the material is at the end of the elastic stage and enters into deformation (plastic stage). Most of the ballon fabric is 6.6oz fabric that has tensile strengths of around 80-100 lbs. Pretty heavy stuff. The testing is different for the amount of hours operated and also number of UV hours exposed. When these numbers go up the tensile testing rate goes down. Again they are very careful not to enter into the plastic stage because if you look they are only pulling at about 20-25 lbs on a fabric that is rated 80-100 lbs.This is 25% of new fabric. Now looking at PIA's TS 108.1. It has a flat rate tensile test, no flow chart, and is pulling at 75% of the rated tensile strength of NEW fabric which can and will enter into the plastic stage.It just depends on age of fabric, color, amount of UV damage, and something the balloon document does not have...sweat. Did you ever think it all comes back to a bad test procedure??? That Laser was made how many years ago? and was probably made with the same fabric lot of some of the "acid mesh" canopies. who knows??!! It is the only one I ever heard of. It is called sampling. You patch an area of concern on the canopy, take the remnant and tensile test that for your proof of test. In fact, the balloon people do this as both as a shear test and a tensile test just to find the absolute numbers. Just to point out that TS 108.1 could be modified to test only samples and it would be fine. You could even add a shear test to it. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

First off Gary, It is a destructive test; not a non-destructive test as it has led to many to believe. I see that you understand that fact by quoting the word "fail". In a destructive test, material failure is a positive result and no material yielding is a failed result. In a non-destructive test, the test specimen is never subjected to testing that will change or alter the specimen in any means. I keep telling people this, but they are smarter than someone that has been in the NDE (Non-Destructive Examination) field for almost 36 years it seems. In my opinion, TS-108.1 needs to be removed from the PIA website and tossed. I just had this discussion with Terry about two weeks ago when I was in Michigan. The reason is this: 1.There have been failures of canopy fabric in the area of a previous pull test. This proves the fact that pull testing is damaging the fabric during the test as the failures originated from the area of a previous test. 2. To my knowledge, there have not been any failures from "weak" fabric. When I say that, I mean fabric that looks good to the naked eye during inspection, but suddenly fails during a deployment. MEL Level III NDE Analyst ASNT-ASME-QDA Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Yes , If I was the DZ rigger that had inspected the rig prior to use at the "new" DZ. I would do the same thing that I have always done. If it was found that the owner broke the seal by doing something stupid like pushing a main tuck tab under the reserve flap and breaking the seal, I would charge him for a new repack. If it was found that it was my fault by a bad install or whatever, I would give him a new repack on me. With the above policy being used for years, I can't remember the last seal of mine that was broken during service. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You've got to be kidding!!! Why do you think that it states that in the FAR's that it has to be installed in the first place? It is meant to serve a purpose. It is not just an ornate piece that was meant to be removed 5 minutes after the pack job.. Come on people, use some common sense FCOL! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

This has been done.... The AC has some good points to it.Thy are not all bad. The problem is this. The regulations state and intend that only a master rigger can do major repairs, alterations, and modifications to parachute gear. The AC tries to create a whole new world of classes of repairs where it divides parachute equipment into two classes that would allow a senior rigger to alter, modify, and complete major repairs to mains. This is a direct conflict with the regulations that (again, in the document I previously posted) tells you differently. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I find it hard to believe that a FSDO would state that a a non-regulatory document would supersedes regulation. With regard to the two DPREs, ( if it is the two I think it is) would not be hard to believe. A quick call to AFS-100 (FAA Legal Department) will clarify my statement that if there is a conflict , the Regulations trump. Talk to: Mark W. Bury Office of the Chief Counsel 800 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20591 (202) 267-3222 You correct it is,... but with errors. Errors that have both been well noted and subjected to change because if followed, will violate regulation. That is the whole point. The reason that I am sticking with my opinion is because I have been involved for many years dealing with the regulations in depth. I actually was involved with helping with the preamble writing of the document that I posted. You must have missed where I pointed out that the current AC is now under a re-write status. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You would be wrong. This is why AC-105-2E (Which was NOT written by the FAA) is to being resolved with the regulatory issues as we speak.In other words it is in re-write mode. The regulations do not break repairs down into two categories.It is parachute equipment... period. The regulations then spell out who can do major and minor repairs. The document that I just posted vividly explains the fact that that you have to be a rigger to work on any equipment, main or reserve. It then tells you that the appropriate certificate has to be used according to the service being done. This is but one of the regulatory conflicts that is published in the AC. Know your regulations first and then you will be on solid ground. If you are in a court of law, I would bet on the regulations vs some (liberal) document that is not law. The FAA does...just ask one of them. Also the reason that we keep this up is the fact that people are in fact dying out there that are not following the rules. I can think of two people in the last few weeks, that where not riggers, did their own work and died. Sure anyone can make a mistake, but you have to wonder if a trained rigger had been involved, would these people have died??? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

As you already know the AC is not regulatory; only the regulations are. Which BTW state that a person has to be rigger to work on a main or any other gear. Furthermore, The appropriate certificate needs to used when doing so. Also, the AC has bad references that conflict regulation as you well know. See attached: MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Not legally. Again, it would need approval to be legal. But in the past it was simply done and there was never any oversight to speak of that refuted it. You need to be a rigger to perform services or maintenance to parachute equipment. Alterations are only allowed to be completed by a master rigger or someone under his/her supervision. This means mains or reserves. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It could be. If it is listed as part of the TSO'd "system" by the manufacturer. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I need some equipment picked up and shipped to me. Contact me if you could do this for a fee. Thanks, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

True, but the FAA also can grant an approval. I am speaking in terms of any rig and any condition, not specifically this issue alone. Not saying this is the thing to do,( I think what PS is doing is the right way to begin with....) but can just that it could legally be done without a manufacturer's approval.A Master Rigger would have to follow the appropriate FAA steps though. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jerry, If it were an austenitic stainless steel that was fully annealed, then you would be correct. On the other hand,I believe these to be either ferritic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel which both are ferromagnetic and can be tested by MPT. If the rings were off of the harnesses and I was to do the testing, this would be my preferred method of testing due to cost,etc.But since the rings are on the harnesses, I think they would need to go the extra mile on cost and do Digital RT. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

A MT will only detect cracks that are considered "near surface". Also, if the lines of flux (electromagnetic generated) are not perpendicular to the crack, the crack can be missed. The absolute best way to test these are with Digital RT and I believe it can be done on the harness without a problem. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

True that they are cheap, but I would avoid getting rid of the original. The new Chinese ones are crap and may be worse off than the one that you had in some respects. The old ones are made of some great metal where as the new ones are cheap metal and might last a few months. I say take the time and fix what you have. You will be better off in the long run. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

There are three main components: 1. The rubbing block on the backside of the arm. This pushes the Center Push Pin to the front of the machine. 2. The Center Push Pin 3. The Tenison assembly The tension assembly can be removed and checked to see if it is working properly. Once removed, simply press on the tab plate (on the backside of the tension) and see if it will open the discs. If it does it is working properly and may need just a little adjustment. This a simple process to bend the tab outward slightly to engage with the center push pin a little more. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The specs used to say at least 36" X 36" X 40' long. The floor is not acceptable to the FAA. I already asked years ago. ta·ble ˈtābəl/Submit noun 1. a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface on which objects may be placed, and that can be used for such purposes as eating, writing, working, or playing games. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Jerry, That 132K is just 10 minutes up the road from me. In fact I have to go up there this week to buy some more machines for a sewing machine repair class that I am giving in two weeks for the Military. ...So if someone wants me to check it out for them let me know. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

As does everything, every time. Yours must have been better than the two that I owned. I have three 7 class Machines in the shop right now and have the opposite opinion. But these are two Consew 733R4's and a Consew 733R5;not Singer 7-31's or 7-33's. Although I just agreed to purchase two more Singer 7-33's which I need to go and pick up. Those two do have a foot lift on them BTW.The lifts were put on by the previous owner. I can post some photos later if anyone wants to see how it is done. Yeah, but it really boils down to if it is tall blonde or brunette or a short blonde or brunette! They all have their + and -'s MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Understood; but it would mean more money which puts you closer to the 7 class cost. In most cases you would already have a table that came with the machine, but not always. A brand new top of the line, double thick, marine plywood 7 class table top is over $650 not including S/H BTW. That is just the top,; no stand or motor... MEL PS- If anyone is looking for a Consew 744-RB, PM me. I just got a call from a guy wanting to unload a pretty new one. I will put you in touch with him. Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Maybe not so much cheaper. I just saw a complete 7-33 with table,stand and motor go for $950 on Ebay. I had a Consew 6 class (same as the 132K's) that I sold to Jim Wine. I still have a a Consew SKZ-6 which is a double throw zig-zag machine. In my opinion, the 132k's and Consew 6 class are OK, but the 7 class is way better.They just have more lift, more room under the arm, and usually a bigger table to hold everything on. Jerry, What are you using since you got rid of the 132K? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Rob, Was your post directed to me or Peter? ....or both sections to Peter? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com