Fling

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Posts posted by Fling

  1. "For all users NOT making, or planning to make, a jump with an exit altitude above 27,000 ft MSL, or planning to make a flight above 27,000 ft MSL, compliance is still mandatory..."

    It is a bit surprising that, although an uncommon use condition, it was not part of a testing regimen and is only being flagged now.

    Regards,
    Alan

  2. A couple of more data points for everyone:

    SN 4612 Nov 2005
    SN 6826 Dec 2006

    Since the 30 Jan 2017 Product Advisory was issued I have spoken with Vigil. They indicated that Vigil 1 production ended roughly Oct 2007 so for all practical purposes every Vigil 1 is affected. Some may already have had their batteries changed so they continue to be airworthy (based upon battery date alone) for another 10 years from the date of the change.

    I asked for clarification of option 1. What is being offered is a new Vigil2+ for the stated cost plus the return of the affected Vigil 1. Plus shipping etc of course.

    Overall an unfortunate situation for Vigil 1 owners but a relatively fair upgrade path.

  3. Oddly enough just yesterday I packed a G4.1 M0, but with an OP143 sans CYPRES.
    I can't imagine trying with a PDR143. In this case I think their suggestions on fit are correct... or I'm not "skilled" enough :(
    I did appreciate how the website capitalized "EXTREMELY" in "EXTREMELY tight" though..., nice touch :)
    Alan

  6. Andre,
    For someone who repeatedly talks about being a physics teacher you have the most amazingly poor grasp of mechanics (and electronics reliability for that matter). You almost seem to enjoy spreading FUD.

    Jeeez, try to help clarify what I felt was already quite clear in the manual and all that happens is people jump on you.

    Don't worry Andre, I promise not to help out or contribute my dangerous ways around here any more.

    Alan

    edit for fat fingers :)

  8. Good evening Michael,

    I have a couple of Sidewinders. Page 6 of the manual says "bridle exiting the container between top and bottom flaps..." it does NOT say between the top and right side flap which "above the right flap" would be.

    Closing a Sidewinder is very easy: bottom, then top with the bridle exiting directly out the bottom away from the container (to the right of the closing loop of course), then left. right, pin. I fold the velcro to allow slack in the bridle to permit the pin to be pulled. The window confirming kill line position is then clearly visible on top.

    I've heard that the new/old method for Vectors is the same. I'm only one data point but this has worked without issue for me since the Eighties :)
    -Alan

  9. Hello Kelly.
    I was in the same situation as you a couple of years ago and as a result have had the pleasure of buying two G3s. I was on the borderline between a Large and a XL and originally ordered the L. It turned out it was too tight.

    The shape of an individual's head can affect the fit quite a bit so I would encourage you to try someone else's if at all possible. I understand that most Canadians don't have access to gear stores and other outlets, but the G3 has become quite a popular helmet. If you can wait until your local DZ opens you will likely be able to find several people with different sizes to try. I can only offer one data point and that would support the notion of an XX over an XL if you are on the borderline.

    Wait until you can try one on to be sure: between shipping, customs brokerage, and currency exchange my G3(s) were roughly $500 CAD (each).

    I hope your choice works well for you and you enjoy the helmet. I think that the G3 is popular for good reasons.


    BSWT,
    Alan

  10. These were passed to me so I can't vouch for their veracity.

    4-WAY FS
    Round 1) 5 - 12 - E
    Round 2) 6 - D - B - K
    Round 3) O - 8 - 7
    Round 4) N - 13 - 18
    Round 5) 10 - 21 - M
    Round 6) 19 - H - 11
    Round 7) C - G - 1 - A
    Round 8) 20 - 9 - 15
    Round 9) 16 - F - P - Q
    Round 10) 2 - J - 4
    Round JO) L - 22 - 14

    8WAY FS
    Round 1) N - 21 - B - 5
    Round 2) 14 - C - 13
    Round 3) 22 - M - 20
    Round 4) 17 - H - 16
    Round 5) J - E - 12 - 4
    Round 6) 7 - 19 - 15
    Round 7) G - K - 8 - 2
    Round 8) O - L - F - P - A
    Round 9) 10 - 11 - 18
    Round 10) 9 - Q - D - 1
    Round JO) 3 - 6 - 19

    4 Way VFS
    Round 1) A - 11 - 3
    Round 2) J - 14 -16
    Round 3) 5 - 1 - 7
    Round 4) 17 - F - 9
    Round 5) 6 - 8 - D
    Round 6) N - C - M - L - 13
    Round 7) 2 - 10 - 4
    Round 8) E - B - H - I - G
    Round JO) 15 - 12 - K

  11. I know you have it now Gilles, but here it is for anyone else who is interested.

    1: 21,B,A,16
    2: 3,12,2
    3: J,9,22
    4: 7,14,13
    5: 19,18,C
    6: 11,5,4
    7: Q,P,O,F,N
    8: E,K,20,G
    9: 17,H,L,M
    10: 1,6,15

    8 Way open:
    1: 7,M,D,K
    2: J,21,L,18
    3: 17,16,10
    4: 9,11,H
    5: P,O,19,13
    6: 22,14,16

    Alan

  12. There are several issues wrapped together here.

    1. protecting from user (human) and software errors,
    2. protecting from mechanical failures,
    3. protecting from "technological shift" problems.

    External drives, or any writable medium while mounted, can suffer from a "whoops, I didn't mean to...", or an application or OS can corrupt/erase files. Type one errors. They also suffer from type two errors such as a hard drive failure (and a power supply problem *could* take out two drives simultaneously) or getting your camera's CF card whacked whilst enjoying a malfunction/reserve deployment for example. :)
    Optical discs (Write Once, Read Many) once written need to be protected from light, stored upright, low humidity etc. Assuming good quality discs to start with, another thing to consider could be to use both -R and +R since they utilize different error correction coding schemes. Test that they can be read using a different machine (drive).

    Tapes (DDS or LTO for example) are physically robust and do have a fairly long proven lifespan. They also are much more expensive. On the up side they also tend to have much longer product cycles and backwards compatability designed in. For example, DDS type drives can usually read two generations back so they can reduce the type three problem a bit.

    Solving problems one and two can be done. There is an industry built on it, but ease of use and reliability are definitely a function of cost.

    Oops, I can see I'm going on... This is a problem I've been struggling with for 20+ years of raw experimental data so I worry about it. Problem three is, and will continue to be, quite a problem. As suggested above a "rolling" backup renewal system is probably necessary.

    Bottom line: The optimal reliability/cost may be DVD-R & DVD+R, two copies of each (one offsite). Very important: make sure you can read back what you have written!
    Don't assume anything. Test your backups after making them, then periodically there after. All four copies shouldn't fail at the same rate and therefore you get a shot at recovery. I would stay away from external harddrives since they contain both the data and the read/write mechanism. Separate your data from the device: it is safer and your capacity is then limited only by the size and number of media units (discs or tapes).

    One last thought. Consider the file format as well. Is it open? Will there be software to read/process it in Twenty years?

    Digital: so many possibilities, so many new problems
    :)
    Alan