mcordell

The new Vector ripcord does not have the pin swaged on the cable. I believe that adapting that setup would require the bit of velcro and tab on the RSL lanyard, and I'd assume that would not be something that a rigger would see as "interchangeable parts". More importantly the rig has to be packed in accordance with manufacturer instructions using the approved components. Not only would that not be in accordance with manufacturer instructions but if it were done it would constitute an alteration to the system which would require a master rigger and approval they aren't likely to get. I know I wouldn't do it and don't see it as "interchangeable" if someone brought that request to me. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

That's a damn big bike you are driving. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I really like my z1. I've had it for years and never had an issue with it www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I'm a fan of not telling anyone so they don't smash a pie in your face and get stuff on your jumpsuit/rig www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Everything is available for free from parachutemanuals.com www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

There is no req'ment in any of the many TSO standards as to any materials having to meet any MIL Spec or PIA Spec. In fact, the FAA is silent on this issue; as they should be. If a mfr wants to refer to MIL Spec/PIA Spec mat'ls in their Quality Program or their specifications ( thats drawings to most of us ), that is a choice the mfr makes. Some trivia about this mat'ls issue: The first company that I know of to use Cordura was the Altitude Shop in their Top Secret rig. At that time, Ted Strong wondered how they could use a non-MIL Spec mat'l. IMO Ted had been indoctrinated by the FAA in believing that one had to use MIL Spec mat'ls. Eventually, Cordura became a MIL Spec mat'l. Jerry Baumchen BUT....in this case, the line is manufactured to mil-spec. There are no options for non mil-spec 725 spectre line because the global supplier manufactures it for government use. Because of that the line is source controlled and there are no other suppliers using spectre yarn from the inventor of spectre. It doesn't matter if you care that it is mil-spec or not when you order it...you get mil-spec regardless. Because of that, the mil-spec does in fact matter for the product if it is the reason they advertise it at 100 lbs under the actual tensile strength. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Well for one, since you paid him under an agreement of pre-ordering a helmet, it is a civil matter and not a criminal one. If you are that bent out of shape about not getting a refund then filing a civil action against him is your only legal recourse. Secondly, companies can set their own refund policies. I don't know what the refund policy is for sky systems but since this was a pre-order it's probably safe to assume that even in civil court all the company has to say is that you paid under an agreement for a product and they do not have to refund your money so long as they provide the product you ordered. Lastly I don't know the particulars of your situation (since you posted no details whatsoever) but coming on here and calling someone out by name as a thief is pretty abrasive. Hope things work out for you. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

If you are talking about only a 1/8th inch difference, realize your risers will become slightly more flexible over time and the slider will likely pull over the risers. Once you are suspended from the risers you may find the slider pulls over them just fine too. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I just used black sharpie in marking my line as I built my new lineset. I'm not worried about degradation of the line. It's basically plastic. I would worry more about nylon but there are better options that don't bleed into the material for marking canopy fabric. I'd stick with my marking pencils for that. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

The line comes from a singular supplier called CSR Braids out of Sellersville PA. They buy the spectre yarn directly from the manufacturer and are the global supplier for Spectre braided line. PD and every other manufacturer order directly from CSR in bulk quantities (200,000 feet or so). The line is never treated or coated again. That's why it is so interesting. 825 microline and 725 spectre are the exact same product. The spool says "at least 725" so my best guess is that PD pull tested it to 825 and that's where they got their number. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I believe so but I'm not sure all grease pencils are ok for use on rig materials...I know these are ok www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

http://www.dixonticonderoga.com/writing/markers/china-markers/china-markers This is what I use and was the suggestion of a DPRE and master rigger. You probably have seen the Dixon pencils but they say "phano china marker" on them www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

At your wingloading on that canopy if you suddenly get thrown into line twist after the canopy has opened fully then you probably should cut it away because something broke. Also, at that wingloading, widening the risers a little bit will make little to no difference in the flight characteristics of your canopy. Think about the distance you are widening the risers by lowering the slider. Consider that distance in inches or millimeters. Now consider the span of your canopy in the same unit of measurement. Figure up a percentage of the overall canopy span that you are widening the risers and you will see the larger your canopy, the less of an effect you will get. Pulling your slider down will have a noticeable effect in a very small, highly loaded canopy which you aren't ready to jump. On a larger canopy at a light wingloading it's more an issue of looking like one of the cool kids. I think the things you learned at the canopy course are great information as you progress through the sport, however not all of it applies to you at this experience level. ETA: don't take that personally. Everyone starts at the same place and it takes time to get experience. If you want to pull your slider down then go for it, just understand your gear and what it will and won't do. As long as you are being safe and aware it doesn't matter. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I would go with the 725 spectre (what pdf calls 825 microline). I do find It curious that they call it 825 when the supplier sells it as 725 and the spool says right on it tensile strength at least 725 lbs. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I know this isn't a specific answer to your question but I have two wings containers. One is a W12-3 with a sabre 2 210 in it and the other is a W12-2 with a triathlon 175 in it. Both fit fairly well in the container and neither is "squishy". I'm not certain how their container sizing system works but I'd say with the difference in the sizes of my mains and both containers being the W12 size, if you go with the W11 I think you will find it fits just fine. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

So it is your belief that millions of people would have died because of mice eating cereal in a warehouse? www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

He's a trustworthy guy who is easy to do business with and that's a good price so I'd say that's a win www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I also disagree with your assessment. The harness work is all done by the manufacturer and this is an accessory that is being added to the system. The only sewing required is to bind the backpad with E thread after creating the opening for the strap. Otherwise it is just an assembly of factory components. I'm sure you will say this is a modification, however I would disagree with that as well. When they changed the design from the factory and began mandating this retrofit it went from being a modification to an update with factory parts. This is no different than cutting the tip of the stiffener in an older wings and re-sewing the flap which a senior rigger can do. I would say the manufacturer is in a much more competent position to determine what is a major or minor repair on their own system than the FAA that doesn't particularly understand what we do. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Well theoretically if the terminal velocity of a cat is 60 mph, and a human's is approximately 120, when you account for the fact that acceleration is constant then a cat will reach terminal velocity much faster than a human. It would take approximately half the time for a cat to reach terminal so yes....yes they probably can. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I ordered a wings rig in 2014 that took just over a month to get. They blast through them pretty quickly. I think when I ordered it I was quoted 6 weeks but got it in just over 4 if I remember correctly. That being said, the volume was probably pretty low since it was the end of the typical jump season and right now is tax return time and orders probably increase. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

If skydive orange is the right dropzone, then this shouldn't be terribly far in Richmond. http://richmond.craigslist.org/hsh/4860541288.html www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Mine says "artisan" as the brand and is adjustable from 0-1500 to 0-3000 www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

I have a singer 503 that I got before my commercial machine. I will still use it for a few things because of the zig-zag capability and being all metal it is a pretty decent machine for what it is. I paid around $100 for it and it was refurbished with a 1 year warranty from my local singer place. As much as I love the commercial machine if I didn't have room I could probably do most everything on the 503, just not as easily. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Again, I didn't say it's a bad idea. I think it's a great idea. We don't disagree on that. I just don't have a problem with round reserves. I'm more than willing to pack them as long as they are airworthy and I'm not sure why any rigger would refuse. They are for emergencies. In an emergency they are very likely to work. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging

Are they banned for bailout rigs too? I'm not a fan of the idea of government telling me I can't have an airworthy reserve because they don't like them. Like I said before, I have 3 rigs and one of them has a round reserve. I obviously would prefer to have a square but in my third rig I'm fine with it. If I have to use it, it's an emergency parachute and it will get me to the ground safely. It may not be comfortable but at that point it's a life saving device. www.facebook.com/FlintHillsRigging