AndyMan

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~1995ish - Hartwood Harry brought a Twin-Bo back missing the right side horizontal stab when Burt "The Beech Killer" snagged his reserve handle on the front floater handle. (Handle was modified prior to the next flight.)

That sounds right.

Anybody got the picture? I know it was going around at some point, but haven't seen it in a while.

_Am

Does anybody have the picture of Mike Mullins after landing with half his tail missing? It must have been 15 years ago.

Or is my memory inventing things again...?

_Am

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Why not hook up my own reserve?

Because you'll learn better with a teacher than you will on your own.

In Rigging, the fine details are important. Some of the steps in the manual are clear, but other steps assume you have some background knowledge that someone new to the sport will not have.

You've probably done everything right so far, but if you keep trying to learn everything on your own, you'll probably come to a time where you make a small mistake. Those small mistakes have big consequences.

This is not a sport where you should be figuring things out on your own.

_Am

Aparently you can test in the Univeristy of Washington horizontal tunnel.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150528137669531&set=a.251862949530.138099.747289530&type=1&theater

_Am

I don't know the specifics of Lisa's situation, but in a small industry like Skydiving, finding a family member to inquire from can't be that difficult.

But if it is or we're not talking skydiving, and you've given it a real shot, then - I too would be comfortable with the risk. But, if you're trying to get something formally cleared for publication, I'm curious if the steps you've laid out would even be enough.

_Am

Copyright doesn't change with a death, it simply transfers. The heirs to the estate will hold copyright after a photographers death.

Depending on how commercial the photographer was, you might find getting permission to use a lot easier, or harder. :)

_Am

BTW - I was digging around The Thread Exchange, and you can order 2 and 4 oz spools of legit 'E' thread.

http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=nylon-thread-069

_Am

I think the answer has to be ' only those jumps for which a coach rating is required'.

For an example of why, if you've had your coach rating for 5 years, but only done Wingsuit jumps - then you're entirely unqualified to teach the common parts of a First Jump Course, or teach a category G or H jump without retraining and supervision.

The purpose of being a "current" instructor is to maintain the skills required to use the rating.

If you're not teaching real students, you're not being staying current in the required skills.

_Am

This would be a great thing to talk through with your rigger.

_Am

I'd love Red, Purple, Turquoise, Blue - the common jumpsuit colors.

_Am

I've never had my logbooks inspected during a ratings course. This is likely caused by the fact that I've been around in skydiving for many years, and often have known the course directors for many years before I took the course.

_Am

It looks like they're pretty limited on colors - not the gamut I was hoping for.

http://www.joann.com/coats-clark-extra-strong-upholstery-thread-150-yd-many-colors/xprd1130538/#pro_colors

_Am

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In "lopullterri" case (Terri Poston) case, she does not mind because her mouth has gotten her kicked out of every DZ. This is factual, let me state the facts here < Skydive St.Louis, Quantum Leap, Archway Skydiving, Skydive Chicago and Chicagoland skydiving all kicked you off,

That's just not true.

Spreading lies gives her more credibility than you.

_Am

Any sign of the rig being used as a static line setup? I wonder if a bite of the SL was stowed in a rubber band that flap.

_Am

Say 'return for waranty repair' and they may leave you alone.

_Am

Were you testing any specific theory? Did the results match your expectation?

_Am

from the quote:

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Chemring Energetics UK refuses to modify any internal processes for this cutter as this
cutter is designed and intended for alternate purposes other than parachute automatic activation device

Intended for purposes other than AADs. Refused to test to the necessary standard.

Yeah, it's a cluster fuck. No doubt about it. It's too bad that customers got burned, and if I were such a customer I'd be pissed at myself for buying an unproven product, and I'd be pissed at my retailer if they weren't standing behind it. Ultimately, I'd be pissed at Aviacom for bringing a half-baked product to market.

But blindly insisting that nothing is wrong? Seems foolish to me.

_Am

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In Reply To
Chemring Energetics UK refuses to modify any internal processes for this cutter as this cutter is designed and intended for alternate purposes other than parachute automatic activation device

This statement was made by Sunpath Products - not Chemring Energetics. There has been a lot of talk that the manufacturer deemed the product unfit and if this is your source for that statement, then I submit you are incorrect. It is not the manufacturer of the cutter making the statement, it was a container manufacturer making the statement.

Like I said, if it's not good enough than I question your judgement.

None of the statements have been contradicted or denied by Aviacom. Quite to the contrary, their response was to fold up their business and remove their products from the marketplace. As Aviacom did not make any statements, Sunpath is the last word.

_Am

Aviacom has not contradicted or denied anything in this letter.

Additionally, from the same letter:

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Aviacom has admitted that their cutter design has serious deficiencies; however they have continued
to allow use of substandard cutters due to their inability to provide viable replacement cutters.
Furthermore; Aviacom refuses to develop a new cutter design claiming the cost to do so would be in
excess of corporate resources. Aviacom is not willing to make a capital investment to develop a new
cutter, which has acceptable reliability levels.

Like I said, you're free to make your own choices, but to think this is some grand conspiracy is extremely poor judgement.

And to be clear, the letter is not from the PIA, but from Sunpath.

_Am

I don't know why you expect others to do your research for you.

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Aviacom has been purchasing a modified commercial off the shelf, pyrotechnic reefing cable cutter
from Chemring Energetics UK as a sub component for use with the ARGUS AAD assembly. Since these
failures to cut in this life saving application have become public, Chemring Energetics UK has stopped
sale of these cutters to Aviacom. As a result, Aviacom reports that they have approximately 200 post
2007 cutters available for both testing/verification and for fielded customer units. Further, Aviacom
has no ability to institute higher or acceptable quality control practices as they do not manufacture the
cutter and Chemring Energetics UK refuses to modify any internal processes for this cutter as this
cutter is designed and intended for alternate purposes other than parachute automatic activation device

From http://www.pia.com/TechnicalArgusDocuments/SPP_Argus_FR210911.pdf

Really, if that's not good enough for you than I question your judgement.

_Am

I'm a bit confused why people are still arguing about the ball.

The manufacturer of the cutter has stated that it's not fit for its intended use. That really should be the end of the discussion right there.

Additionally, the manufacturer of the AAD has removed it from the market entirely.

What else is there to discuss?

_Am

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can anyone tell me if there is currently some said exit weight limit in the industry, for jumping with Type 17 risers (it used to be 200 lbs)?

There is no industry wide limit on type 17 risers for sport parachuting.

_Am

Yup, some of the Swift Plus's still make great canopies. I've got a 175 that i've landed at a wingloadings well in excess of the placarded limits. They're good parachutes.

The original Swift - IE, not the "Plus" is a different story.

_Am

The manufacturers of the components have stated that they are not fit for their intended use.

I don't know what your definition of safe is, but I do know mine. And to me, if the manufacturer won't stand behind it, then you run - not walk away.

_Am

If you want good value, just go to a sports store and buy a large duffel bag. There's no reason you need a branded skydiving one.

_Am