councilman24

I just traded for a Perfecto German made polytype patcher sewing machine. Imported somewhere around 1890 by the company that became Wolverine maker of Hush Puppy shoes. Squirted oil on it for a couple of days. Threw a needle in it that shouldn't have worked but was about the right length, would up a bobbin and threaded it up. One adjustment and it sewed right off. 130 years old and likely hadn't been used for 50 or 60 years. You just needed a better mechanic.

Or a Cobbler machine. Singer 29-4, 29k series, Adler 30 series. With these you can sew a decorative patch on a shirt pocket without sewing through the pocket. I'm up to 4, at least 1 for sale. Also one from the 1890's that still works.

I wear gloves on every jump. I started when I was throwing static line students in the 80's. Even though the static lines were attached to the airplane I pulled most of them by hand. Gave me control and allowed me to short line them if needed. After I busted my knuckles on the door frame a couple of times I started wearing gloves. I went though a few different ones and sometime in the 90's settled on these. The fit snug, are sticky to give positive grip on handles and grippers, protect your hands from bumps on handles, doors and landings. These gloves also come in a winter thicker version. If really cold I add silk liners. While latex or vinyl gloves give wind protection silk wicks sweat away from your hands. I find any gloves labeled skydiving gloves are less durable and thinner than the receiver gloves. Usually more like golf gloves. I think I'm on my third pair in about 2000 jumps. I consider gloves a safety device, especially in cold weather. I posted this link not to suggest buying them from amazon. Unless you've bought a lot of gloves you should try them on. Again at many sporting goods stores. There are other brands but I prefer these particular ones. Even the few times I jump without a jumpsuit I usually put on my gloves. They stay with my helmet, googles, altimeter. https://www.amazon.com/Neumann-Tackified-All-Sport-Gloves/dp/B01B6XOSKM

I just saw your message. Turns out the original manual really doesn't tell you how to make a loop. The instructions from ray work.

This is Ray Farrell's version of the Reflex. The original Reflex manual tells you how to make a loop. If you don't have the manual (and you're supposed to have it to pack it) I can scan that page later.

I have no idea but it may have to do with the harnesses still being built on the 1970's Wonderhog TSO approval. But so is Mirage. And some others.

Radom comments. For information there are two currently marketed civilian parachute systems that include sacrificial bartack lazy leg systems, not to protect the jumper so much as the parachute components. Butler includes a bartack lazy leg on the bridle of their higher rated pilot parachutes and Free Flight Enterprises also uses a bartack lazy leg on their higher rated Preserve V between bag and the PC. Rock climbers depend on the elastic nature of climbing rope to soften their falls. Shock absorbing sacrificial shock absorbers are more to protect sketchy hardware anchor placement from the fall load. Rescue rope or repelling rope is designed to have very limited stretch. With such rope and with fall arresting safety systems shock absorbing systems are required in case of an unintended fall. This is where the commercial safety system and rescue shock absorbers are used. (I am trained in high angle rope rescue) Perhaps we need to bring back Softer Man!! Those who were at PIA symposiums in the late 90's or early 00's remember a jumper who had an invention to soften openings. It was essentially a large domed slider attached to the four main connector links. Essentially the theory was it acted as a drogue when the risers came out before the canopy started deploying. He had an ad in Parachutist and or Skydiving for about a year or two. I don't know anyone that took him seriously, especially since he ran into the seminar room in a super hero outfit. I don't know anyone who thought that it was a good idea. Anyone who knows me knows I'm the resident sceptic. A mildly amusing discussion that comes up every few years. PIA used UPT's wireless load sensing and data accumulation system for the reserve PC and extraction force data. It seems that controlling force instead of a breakable "fuse" is more acceptable to jumpers and eliminates the issues with two suspension points.

Build your own. Reuse hardware.

There is one very large collection in a US university library. Can't remember which one. The best bet might be see which Candian University has large aviation/aerodynamics program and see if the library is interested. If I could remember the US collection there is a catalog online and the collection is open for public use and research. Or you could send it to me to add to MY basement collection.;) Best items? 1928 Irving B1 back emergency rig last packed in 1934 and book entitled Parachuting from 1930 England. Lots of photos of military display jumps that were pull offs from large biplanes.

got to have the dash. But security symbol red lined. Think there is a renewal required for the padlock. http://www.uk-skydiver.co.uk/cms/

Remember the main was up there above the reserve likely partially or fully inflated. That must be why rate of decent wasn't a lot higher than max reserve speed.

Somewhat off topic. I recently noticed a jumper packing at my DZ that had a main with type 17 risers and all four tabs sticking out the sides of the risers. I went to check and fix it. We couldn't! Someone had made the loops on the end of the risers smaller/shorter! I don't have a clue why. But what it did do was shorten the standard 4" measurement from the end of the riser to the guide/brake locking ring. The jumper had been using the risers for awhile and wasn't having any opening issues. I explained the issue of entanglement. He had another set of risers at home and understood the issue. They recently got changed. Why in the hell someone modified the risers that way I don't have a clue. But the loops were small enough we couldn't get the tabs in between the risers. I don't recall exactly but there were around 1 1/2" short. Maybe someone couldn't reach their slider. But someone didn't have the basic knowledge or realization that brake set vs end of riser mattered. Sometimes you just have to shake your head.

Contact Mark Lancaster "MEL" at http://skyworksparachuteservice.com/ He sells an EPROM that will work in the 1900. I've installed it in my 1900A. center start/stop patterns.

I actually do have one. It short legs. Owner was maybe 5'11" 200lbs fit. Like would fit okay. PM me email and I'll dig it out for pics. I remember blue and white but not sure.

The carbon fiber is strong but that just means the force is transferred to your head. One issue is that if they do break they are very sharp. A friend's scalp was severely sliced by a broken Bonehead carbon fiber helmet. Broken during a severe freefall collision.

I use a 1980's acid mesh era Phantom 28' as a main for folks wanting to jump a round. On three ring risers with dbag and throw out PC. Fit's in middle sized containers, it usually goes in their own rig. Dig it out and jump it!

I still consider the Time Out my favorite audible. Other than needed to use a thinner battery. I want it to beep in a volume I can hear. My hearing is fine but I do not notice many other altimeters. I could set it without seeing it.

I have a hard copy of the Strong Pop Top chest container manual. It's not the best copy but more or less usable. I can scan it and and email it if.someone.wants it. Somewhere Sonic should be publishing it for the Pop Tops he's selling for his BaseR container, but I couldn't find it quickly.

Last I knew, and I haven't been able to attend PIA meeting for 2 years, PIA decided NOT to try to recommend service life limits based on calendar time. We mostly all agreed that time was not an indication of airworthiness. And as a group of individual manufacturers they didn't want anyone else to tell them how to run their business or take positions that might impact their business. Can't.much blame them.

A picture of the whole thing would be nice. But, it's a pilot emergency parachute. I can't tell for sure which model from these photos. It's likely not airworthy and even if it is most riggers wouldn't pack it for use. It doesn't look like to was converted for skydiving. It's worth a couple hundred bucks to someone that want one for fun. Or take the parachute out and use it for a sun shade or a car cover.

You've found the BaseR pop top chest that's made so people can legally jump their BaseR base rig that uses a TSO'd Jump Shack harness. Aerosport USA also made a chest version of their lap container. I don't know if anyone has one but me or if they are available. I've got several military chest containers that are only worth the value of a car cover T-10R. We might work something out if you can't find one. Cheapest I've seen a complete and being sold as airworthy seat is $500 and I had a customer buy that one. Don't have any I'm willing to get rid of. I use them for training. Put an ebay alert on for seat parachute. There have been some old and moldy military ones for under $200. AND to just get an additional rating you don't need to own a chest or seat rig. I and other people that train riggers offer added rating courses and supply the rigs you'll need to pack for the 20. But once you have the rating it's best to own one to do the 200 needed to qualify for a Master Rigger certificate. As a part time rigger I do about 30 seat rigs a year. AND your post sounds like you don't have a senior rigger license yet. You SHOULD have to learn round canopies anyway for your back rating. The candidates I test are required to pack both round and ram air canopies for a back rating. You can get two ratings right away during one O&P. The test will likely cost more but no reason not to do it at the same time. Or later. An added rating test is only a practical. No oral. Here's cheapest chest reserve on ebay. Price not so bad. Shipping killer. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1961-Parachute-Military-Display-Chest-Troop-Reserve-24-foot/153866878888?hash=item23d32e3fa8:g:eEMAAOSwOQJeb34l put an ebay search alert on for seat parachute. There have been some military ones that sold for under $200 recently.

Jim, Many other countries have legally mandated service life limits. That how Eric in the classifieds has so many 15 and 20 year old reserves from Europe to sell. Some are through Associations like APF and BPA that have been delegated the force of law for their regulations by the government. But after APF banned the Argus the legislature overruled them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/936948936318719/?ref=group_header

Thanks, have never packed an Icarus Reserve and maybe one or two smart and didn't remember.

Go to this face book group. join. search for MIRPS loops and scroll down three or four and you'll find someone selling the loops for $10 each in package. Tried to copy and paste link and couldn't make it work. Maybe because private group. Just saw them last night. Round Canopy Parachute / Military Freefall Parachute /Sale/Wanted/Rigging