Copycat

I just want to point out that his mother lives in Alaska. That's his mother's phone number.
I spoke with her and she was in tears when I told her my story with Reece.

I know he was working in Skydive CSC. The DZM kicked him because of he scamming me, so he's no longer on the staff list.

The last two phone numbers I have from him are:

Personal: 602-653-9658

Mother in Alaska: 3135624583

He usually goes by handles like "limegreenreece" or "limegreenvideo". He own(ed) a Black and RBL Mirage G3.
Attached are photos of how he looks.
He deserves nothing but prison.

[edit]
I just found this.
http://www.classmates.com/directory/public/memberprofile/list.htm?regId=7184601364
You could try contacting his contacts.

Hey! Not bad for being my first reserve dirty clothes packing!

Thanks again everybody!

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This is what I have (the red and blue is the line under the disc), the yellow is tied in a loop (this is where the pin goes?)

No, the yellow loop is just there to make snugging the closing loop easier.

My guess is that in the process of disassembly, the closing loop got turned inside out. Look for the braid to change (invert) about 2-1/2 to 3 inches from where the cord is knotted at the disk. If this is this case, your closing loop is not usable and you'll have to make a new one.

Oh heck! You're right!! I can see it's inverted right there!
Thanks for the detailed instructions, Mark, you have a ticket, a beer and a packjob on me at Skydive Tortuga as well!

Blue skies and thanks so much for making this a good place for rigging illiterates like me who wish to learn!

You guys are fantastic

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I don't mean to haijack this thread, but I'd like to see the drag coefficients of the Reflex Coke-bottle-sized reserve pilot chute.

Is it really too small? Thankfully I haven't seen any other RPCs. Pic attached.

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You should be able to pull the fingertrap right out and redo it. I think the fingertrapped end should come back out at the point where the loop goes through the center grommet

That's the other problem... I have no loop going inside itself after the tied loop end (yellow).
It was probably cut?

Then, I wasn't sure about the meaning of "fingertrapped", googled it, and the second result was (surprisingly) this one:
http://www.tridenthc.com/closingloop.htm

My loop is nowhere near 36", I'm now sure I'm missing the third end entirely.

Thanks to you now I understand how to do it. I just found my cypres came with some 60" of loop, so I'll try to make the Reflex loop out of it according to the instructions and your explanations.

Thanks so much Brian, if you ever come to Italy, you have a ticket on me (and a packjob and a beer if you come to Skydive Tortuga in Arezzo!)

Thanks Brian for taking your time!
I understood you entirely and your graphic was very helpful.
But now I realized that I was using the loop the rig came with the wrong way.
It has just two ends (and I can't feel any loop going inside and hidden) so I'm missing a knot or to do something with the holes of the disc.

This is what I have (the red and blue is the line under the disc), the yellow is tied in a loop (this is where the pin goes?)

Thanks again!

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Reflex manual in full can be downloaded here

Racers and Reflex's aren't packed the same way.

Thanks!
Same to BrianM and PhreeZone =)

I will notify www.tridenthc.com and www.bombermfg.com that the manual hosted at their site has some pages missing.

Anyway, I still can't figure out what the guy is doing with the cypres loop and disc. (page 9, figure 6-6 in the manual, picture attached)

Hey, now I know why I don't understand the manual... it's incomplete! at least 12 pages are missing, most on the reserve pack instructions!

Does anybody have a good copy?

Link http://www.tridenthc.com/manual.pdf

Hello!
Some time ago I bought a (non-airworthy) Reflex h/c to help funding of a dropzone.
Since I started skydiving I've been interested in rigging (I'm a packer at Skydive Tortuga, Arezzo).

I found the user manual (in pdf) to try packing the reserve (the freebag is full of sweaters and t-shirts) but looking at it is like looking at chinese kanji.

The container came with a 40cm cypres loop and disc and I can't understand yet what do I do with all of it.
So far I got the T bodkin through the freebag (in its place) and folded the bridle.

If anyone is bored and wants to help a wannabe rigger, I'd appreciate very much any guidance!

(I've now downloaded the Racer's manual since it's similar and design, can it be packed the same way?)

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Thanks for the info, and the ride if needed. I talked to my friend in Italy, and it seem that we will be spending a lot of time in Bologna, so it looks like I will be going to Flygang Moli D-Zone.
Does anyone know if this is a good DZ?

Yup. Been there a couple of time, nice atmosphere. They had a PAC 750XL two months ago, can't confirm this right now.

If you want to jump throughout the week, Skydive Tortuga (Arezzo, east tuscany) is always open [www.skydivetortuga.com]. Olav just came back if you want to do some FF =)
PM me if I can be of any further help.

Blue Skies!

PS: USPA license OK, bring your reserve pack logs and jump logbook =)

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IIRC Standard Javelin (B and C yoke)ripcord is 17 inches from ball to top of pin.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sorry,
I meant to say 27 inches long.

It is easy to check if a replacement ripcord is compatible. Start by trying to install the handle in its pocket. Next, slide the cable into the housing and finger-clamp the pin where it will be when the rig is packed. Check how much slack remains at the handle end. One inch is the minimum amount of slack, ... better if the ball end lays in the middle of the handle or near the bottom edge of a metal D handle. If the ball hangs much below the bottom edge of the handle, it increases the risk of an accidental deployment.
Finally, the bottom end should have a ball and swage if your rig includes an RSL.

Check, check, and check!
Thanks so much!!

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Is precision effected by canopy size or design ?

Yes. 9 cells have more forward speed (and thus, wind penetration)
A 7 cell has less forward speed, so you can pinpoint a target better.
Size just will matter only because of the increased response and vertical speed on same-type canopies.

Demo a Spectre 170, you won't regret that canopy.

In no way I could give you a professional opinion, but my guess nonetheless would be a Spectre 170 - 190, with your amount of jumps and needs

My previous canopy was a Spectre 170 and I absolutely loved it: very predictable and slow, soft openings, great precision landing (smoothest landings I've ever had! started braking high and pulled fully before touchdown, it was feather-like).
Only (very big) disadvantage was absolutely no wind penetration. I almost felt going backwards with moderate up wind.

Thanks JP, I'd rather be an outlaw than feel unsafe every time on the way to altitude.
To add to my dislike of soft handles, it's the exact same royal blue as my suit.

I contacted my new rigger again today and asked him about the repairs, he said it was a courtesy full check and that's why he sent me the list with costs first before touching the canopy.
He said that from a short time-span point of view, the canopy is very jumpable (even 100 jumps). He underlined that that costs were to leave it in absolute mint condition.

Guess that it was just lack of good communication

Sorry to seem like a troll, my only intention is to make this sport safer in any way, and learning about all the details I don't understand seems like a good first step. Olav always teaches me the importance of safety and not taking anything lightly.

Blue skies everybody!

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OK, here's your easy answer. Send your PD canopy to PD for repair/service work.

They'll fix what needs fixing, and they'll do it right.

I'd do it in a heartbeat... if I was in the US

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IIRC Standard Javelin (B and C yoke)ripcord is 17 inches from ball to top of pin.
D or O yoke may require a different length.
As for checking if it is a "similar TSO," the replacement ripcord should be stamped "TSO C23C" or "TSO C23D" along with something saying where and when it was made.
Even if your Javelin was made under TSO C23C, it is possible to substitute a TSO C23D (later) ripcord because they have the same strength rating.
Speaking of strength ratings, most Javelin reserve ripcords have a ball and shank/tube on the end ot ensure that they pass the 600 pound tensile test required when you install an RSL.

So if I use a same length ripcord, TSO'd (which it is, because it's from a Reflex) is OK? I really don't want to use the original one for safety reasons, because it's a soft handle.
I don't want to go from a security concern to another.

Hey, thanks for all the offenses, trolling accusations and whatnot.
I just wanted to know what the difference between handles can really be ( I DO have the original SunPath handles, I just didn't like the soft ripcord and the yellow cutaway: My reflex' ones are metal and red, accordingly)

And about the canopy, it was sold to me by a swedish master rigger, so what I see is a conflict of interests between both the riggers: the one selling me that it's in jumpable condition, the other one trying to scare me that if I don't cough up 600$ it might disintegrate on opening.

And if I "get scammed a lot" is because I'm poor and I can't afford new equipment and buy directly from manufacturers or locally (prices in Italy are 60% higher and usually old PdF components)
Apparently, "getting scammed a lot" is also just once, 2 years ago, by an american.
Since then, I've avoided buying overseas and just stuck with Europe, mainly because of customs prices.

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Javelin instructions require use of Sunpath-produced ripcords, so even though we might be allowed to substitute parts in general, in this specific case it is not allowed.
It isn't necessarily a question of safety, just legality.
Mark

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any online information regarding that?

PS. I've attached the PDF document the rigger sent to me
PS2: I've just realized that 453€ is more like $670

I've finally finished assembling my rig 2 weeks ago, mounted the main on the risers with new slinks and away it went for a reserve repack.
I asked my rigger (first time i'm dealing with this one) to give it a quick check because I saw small holes in my canopy.
After a week he sent me an email saying that to repair the canopy would cost me around 600$! I had payed less for the canopy itself! He said there were 8 holes and 6 lines needed to be changed. I got the canopy used but the condition was above OK in my eyes and I quite trust the guy that sold me.
I said to him to nevermind, I'd jump it anyway.
The rig came with a soft reserve and a yellow cutaway handle (Jav TJN). I didn't like any so I swapped them with my old Reflex' (after double checking the lenghts were the same, the difference was 5mm at the most). He also added this to the price (whooping 200$) because he said I can't use "other rig handles" I said to him I had the originals anyway.

So, what do you think? I changed rigger because the last one took ages for a repack (but she did a good job), but I'm guessing this one is just trying to rip me off in any way he can...

Any comments / questions / ideas very welcome!
Blue skies from Italy,

-Patrik

***UPDATE***

Guy promised me the money ASAP, then disappeared again. Contacted Skydive CSC, he doesn't work there anymore (at least he lost his job for being a thief)
So if anybody hears / knows from him, please hit him right in the face, and then let me know of his whereabouts.
If there was any situation that I reaaally needed that money, that would be know.

Welp, thanks people!

I have plenty, but I don't know if they are (and they probably are) copyrighted, so I don't know if I can post them here.
My best guess is do a google image search of "freefly" or "freeflying".
You'll get plenty =)

Kurupee. Price/Quality/Design

****UPDATE****

Reece contacted me, apologizing, and saying he'll gather the money this week and return the full ammount as soon as possible.


Hopefully, he'll stick to his word this time.
I'll let you know in a week.

Thanks again for all the help people, it wouldn't have been possible without ya!
Blue skies,

-Patrik

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The tranaction was handled correctly for overseas dealings except contacting the rigger or DZ.

Thank you, PhreeZone. By the time of the deal he said he had just lost his job, and he didn't have a fixed DZ nor rigger. I couldn't contact any. And in fact, this was true. After he scammed me he moved to his grandmother's and afterwards to his current location near Chicago.
And he's not the "usual scammer" that knows nothing about rigs and repeats what he copied from eBay, he's a coach, skydiver, video with a D licence! How could I have known?
As I said, it's not about money. Either way, I'm getting it back. I just want him to at least feel guilty or sorry for what he did, and to not go unpunished for a crime.

Thanks to all of you that so kindly replied, helped me thru PMs, suggested me, pointed me to the right direction. You're a great comunity that sadly gets stained by a black sheep every now and then.

I won't be posting again, so bluest skies to you all! and if you come to Italy, lemme know!

I don't have sense of property? He's the one that stole from me. He can burn in hell for all I care.
And I didn't post A SINGLE PIECE OF INFO that is not available somewhere else. I just compiled the info, and posted it here.

TROLL.

raymond_jones:
First of all, you're an imbecile not worth talking to. But for the sake of explaining your "points" I will answer them

A) I have done a THOROUGH research on him before anything. I knew the address where he lived in AZ, I knew his USPA licence, full name, phone number, workplace (AdOnNetwork) and where he worked as a video. But what a FUCKING difference does it make if I live in Italy?? It's not like I can go and knock on his door, or call the police, don't you think?

B) It's not like he's the first one I contacted about a used cypres. I had $250 to spend on a cypres, and that was the best deal I could get. Nobody here in my DZ had a used one in those conditions.

C) Certified check? What if I can't emit checks Sherlock?

D) "Questionable means"? PAYPAL? Do you live under a rock? I'm still waiting for them to cover my buyer protection, and if they don't cover the TOTAL ammount, I'm going to do a chargeback with my credit card. Problem solved. It's not all about money, you know? Reece is a thief.

E) If he DID send the package (I payed more than 3 months ago), why didn't he produce any documents that proved that when PayPal asked him during the dispute? Why didn't he give me a tracking number? PayPal clearly states that no tracking number = scam. PERIOD. I won't go to every single post office looking for the package.

F) Reputation my ass. I'm not the first one who had problems with him. Ask the DZM at Skydive Pepperell.
Hell, even his sweet grandmother spoke of how bad person Reece is. She said he couldn't pay his phone bill and went asking his 83 year old grandmother to pay for him.

G) Why would I buy something "with few years left"?? Do you know ANYTHING about skydiving? Do you know what the heck a Cypres is, what it does, and most importantly, how much a new one costs? Do you know it depreciates with time?

H) "No sense of business"? Man, I made more online transactions and more money than your brain is able to count numbers. And, based on what do you see I have "no sense of business"? My profile picture? yeah, I should've been holding dollar bills instead of wearing my rig.

Your post was pure and utter TROLLING. You're an imbecile, just like Reece is. That's why you two get along. Go back to the hole you came from, and don't bring bad vibes to this helpful comunity.

With the help of a very kind dz.com user I got the IP back to where he wrote the emails from, with a nice satellite photo of the area.
I wrote him to all his emails with the screenshot and the message:

"Is this where you're living, or just where the server receives your email? I don't mind, the guys at CSC are very helpful. Even Douglas (The DZM) seemed very interested in learning about your "Credit Card Machine incident" at Skydive Pepperell.
Think again about those $250. You have my PayPal address."

I'll post any updates.