RTB

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  2. Quote

    ***

    Cause of death was listed as "failure to deploy either main or reserve parachute." The AAD in question was a modern design (Astra).



    Thanks for the information.
    The Astra is not really big in Sweden and it doesn't appear to be anywhere else either. I am not sure why FXC can't get it to be more popular. Maybe it just is not as reliable as a cypres? The Vigil is still quite new so we will have to see. It might be a stronger competitor though.

    Even though my original thought with this thread was quite unclear,[:/] I think I got some good input which did help clarify the issue for me, so thanks everyone.:)

  4. Quote

    If you've "relied" on your cypres (or Vigil), then you are by default also relying upon your reserve! I like what MR2mk1g actually said with his post. Very insightful grasshopper! ;)

    Quote

    An AAD is only as reliable as the reserve it fires.



    I don't quite understand what it is you are getting at or asking here. Surely you are not suggesting that we should instead just teach RELIANCE on the Cypres??? :S Please tell me that is not what you are saying.



    No I am definitely NOT saying that a cypres or any other mechanical device can be trusted.
    I am also saying that riggers are human, there is no way all reserves in the world now and for ever ever will be completely 100 % safe.
    I am just saying that there seems to be a discrepancy in what we teach. I never hear anyone saying that a reserve can malfunction to a student. We do stress very hard that a cypres can though.
    I have also seen students cut away from line twists that were fixable and we tell them if they are not sure cut it away. But what if they cut away something that is landable and get into more truble?

    As a sideline, of course I trust my reserve, I trust all my packjobs.

  7. When we teach students to cut away from a main that they are not sure they can land. This sometimes results in cutting away from something that is quite landable. They will in this case put their trust in the reserve. The reserve however can not be guaranteed to 100%.
    When we talk about AAD's we say they cannot be trusted, a mechanical devise could fail. But there has been no incident that I know of where a modern AAD has not activated when needed. So they seem to be quite reliable.

    So, my question is, can we teach our students that using a reserve is always a safe option?

  8. Quote

    Actually riggers in the field are not supposed to be manufacturing Reserve Quick Loops, as they are a TSO'd component of the Racer container. You may purchase factory made Quick Loops directly from Jump Shack.



    Interesting, what about when you are using a running loop? According to Airtec, when a cypres is installed, you are to "Make sure that a Running loop has been installed."

  10. What type of emergency parachute would you recommend for use in a Twin Otter? It will be intended for all our pilots, of which most do not skydive. They would like it to be thin. Would a round be most common in this application?

  11. This is an answer, from PD, to a question about what to use if I clean my canopy:

    "Hello Rene, We recommend that you use a Woolite type detergent to wash
    your canopy. You can wash it in any large tub. You don't want to scrub,
    just swish around and let soak for awhile. It's best if you have a large
    place for it to hang and dry. If you have any other questions, please let
    me know. Thanks,

    Donna Wagner
    Customer Service
    Maintenance and Repair
    Performance Designs"

    Notice that there is no mention about avoiding washing altogether.

    //r

  12. Well the situation was really turbulent and it was a straight in landing. My canopy just kind of stopped flying. It did not respond to flaring. A smaller canopy "might" have had more speed and therefore lift. But of course if you screw up under a smaller canopy you are in more trouble.
    I think people should be careful with downsizing but if you are wearing 18lbs or more it will put extra stress on you body in a hard landing.

  13. Quote

    Quote

    Adding weight does start to put your bones and muscles under more pressure than they are used to. (i.e. just your body weight)



    I've been using a belly band ALL SEASON with 10 pounds for 500+ jumps. Had it been a vest my back would have been screwed, honestly I don't notice any physical difference at the end of the day with the lead belly.

    Anyone had different experiences?

    Blues,
    Ian



    I broke my fibula (or tibula?) wearing about 18 lbs.
    It can have been the difference between wearing a cast or getting away with it. A lot of other things affected the situation though, like uneven surface, not holding me feet together etc.
    I do usually wear the weight belt, even on hop and pops and otherwise for fall rate.

  14. Yes a resourceful person could probably figure it out but I wouldn't recommend it.
    If you really want to do it do it under the supervision of a rigger.
    When you get the bundles of lines and have a canopy in front of you, it is not going to look as easy as one might think.
    You could probably pack your own reserve too and it could work, but why risk it.

  15. I have a friends bungy cord collapsible pilot chute where the old cord is worn out.
    Does anyone have specs for how much force should be required to stretch it when new?
    As a rigger would you refit a pc with a new bungy cord or just have them buy a new pilot chute?

  18. Can't find a manual on the internet.
    Can anyone help me out? There was a series of pictures recently on packing the racer. Maybe those would work?
    I think I know how to solve the cypres issue but the flaps are not numbered. I think I can see this too but if there are any pictures available that would be nice.
    (Packing the reserve this is)

    Thanks,

    //r

  19. Hi, I have actually seen this type of burr almost wear through the tape. But the owner himself saw it and pointed it out to me asking what to do. It was fixed before it wore through the tape.
    The reason this could happen is because the pins are punched out from a sheet metal, (thats the way it looks to me at least.) Then they are polished to take away any sharp edges. This pin had a burr left in the opening.
    The important part is that you need to look at your equipment, not difficult in this case since you do hold the pin in your hand every time you close the rig.

  20. Quote



    When free fliers go before belly fliers.
    Free fliers tend to have a freefall time of 50 secs, belly fliers 60 secs. Therefore free fliers will drift 1/5th less than belly fliers. Free fliers tend to have less forward throw than belly fliers. So lets take another 1/5th.



    Wouldn't less forward throw make the distance larger in this case?
    I thought belly flyers had less forward throw and FF more penetration into the wind on exit, i.e. more forward throw.

    //r

  25. Quote

    I clean my rings (ahem) with silicone spray when I service my cutaway cable and riser webbing. just to make em that little bit more slippery for when they need to move in a hurry.



    You don't need them to be slippery, friction in the system is actually a good thing. Lessens the force transmitted to the loop.