councilman24

Mirage was TSO'd under C23b because the new one pin mirage is built under the authority of the old two pin reserve mirage TSO of the early 1980's. Last I knew Vector's were still made under the Wonderhog TSO C23b also. Not sure about the III's but think that's still the case. Fliteline and ParaFlite reserves might be under TSO C23b but I'd have to look to know for sure. Several of the older reserves I pack are under TSOC23b.

Don't worry too much about distracting your rigger and ask questions, you won't learn otherwise. I'm kind of kidding about a worse pack job if they watch. But only kind of. When no one's watching I can take my time, stop and think about how it's going, and often times open it up and redo it if I'm not happy with the way it went in or the way it looks. This is why I refuse to pack reserves anywhere but my house. Not the DZ, not outside at Quincy, etc.

There are ususally a couple of max weights quoted these days. One is the legal, TSO limit and the other is the performance limit and often is quoted by experience level. You can buy a canopy tested to TSO C23b, the old standard, that is placarded for up to 254lbs and 130 knts (or a 150? my brain's not working this morning). PD says you can put 254 lbs on a 126, but I wouldn't want to. The newer TSO allows testing to any level. What you should know and what suprised me was that there is only about 20% safety margin in reserves. i.e. Test them to failure and back off 20% for label, (per one of the canopy manufacturers). That's not much when I'm used to 1500% in rescue hardware and ropes. We have to have a 9000lb rope for two person rescue load. So, don't push your reserve, and don't count on any of the current ram air reserves holding at 200 mph plus deployment.

Sounds like a good way to screw up a canopy. I wouldn't count on it sticking to the coated ZP fabric. And it seems it would take a lot of 81/2 x 11 sheets to do much. I also wouldn't necessarily want to take a hot iron to the fabric. Hey, but let us know how it works!

see http://precision.aerodynamics.com/top/dashmfaq.htm The bottom is constructed spanwise with the seams at the line attachment points.

Yep, Super Swooper Tandem. I have one of the prototype SST's given to the World Team in 1975 (I think). Bought from the original owner. At it gave me a 1400' reserve total, (pulled at 1700').

Be aware that you don't want the risers so short that they might come out of the side riser covers. I've seen several pictures, video, and even seen live, risers coming out of the covers pulling some of the line stows out. All on one side with the rig still closed. I prefer the links to be at least just in the main pack tray. But, that does make it hard to reach the slider on some rigs. Be aware that if you shorten the steering lines to get a full flare, you may be pulling down on the trailing edge and putting the canopy into partial breaks.

I usually encourage customers to watch at least once, but I don't usually want to pack a reserve the day it's opened. I prefer to let the wrinkles relax, especially if it's one that comes out like a brick. I also like to watch the deployment and examine the last pack job so I prefer to have the customer pull the rig when they drop it off. This also lets me take a quick look at the cypres and rest of the rig for any maintainance issues. All of this means for someone to watch I prefer they make two visits. I also tell them that they will actually get a better job if they don't watch. No distractions and I don't feel pressured to get it done. One customer promptly replied "Then I'll watch you pack someone else's." Some riggers charge extra for their inconvenience. I don't. If they won't let you watch, you might want to pick another rigger.

I don't thinks there's much problem. My reflex had the shorter shark fin main tuck tab and replaced it with the longer version. If you still have the short version contact the current manufacturer for an upgrade. Should be able to have them send you the part and have it installed locally. Your reserve pin obviously isn't an issue and I've found the cordura BOC pouch more secure than spandex ones. You might want to have the leg strap postitioning bungee added between your leg straps. When sit flying the leg straps of my ringed Reflex tend to move down my thighs enough that I'm usually trying to get them back where I want them for opening. Make sure your rigger has your cap down tight. They can loosen during the cycle do have them tighten it if needed.

Look for 3M colored duct tape. Pick red, yellow, orange, something bright you like. It comes in small rolls at drug stores, hardware stores, etc. We routinely wrap student RC's in red tape. Black would be okay to if you want to go stealth, but your cutaway pillow is probably some bright color, might as well contast your reserve, i.e. cutaway yellow, reserve red. Like the current soft reserve handles. Reminds me of an old harness I have. The guy that bought it originally (in 1981) had both handles identically made to match the rig, earth tone striped. Back then we were in to earth tones, affectionantly known as "Bounce and Blend." Never thought it was a good idea.

I don't have a problem with Securities but you have to be used to them and know the tricks. If you haven't done a Preserve V yet go to the Fliteline web site and check out the manual. The canopy is tied shut with break tape in two locations, though a center line which breaks the tape when extended. There is a break tape on the bag, a cotton thread break stitch, and the lines stows go into fabric tubes like a Navy (air force? don't remember) back. And it's longer than a 40' table.

Yep, I forgot trim tabs. Used to be, maybe still are, available as integrated units that are just sewn on top and bottom. All mechanics are inclosed and has two small handles one to set trim tabs and one to release. Other systems with rings, toggles, and webing sewn to the riser that is exposed. These go on the rear of the front riser to adjust the trim of the canopy. This is the same as pulling down the front risers but you don't have to hold it. If anyone knows where to get the integrated version let me know.

I'm a rigger not a reserve packer. The easiest to pack isn't necessarily the design I prefer. Probably a Vector is easiest because of the non molar bag. It's easier to put the canopy in the bag and then depress it. I don't believe this is the best system, just the easiest. Javelins are most familiar because that's what I pack most. The hardest sport rig is a Racer. The hardest pilot rig is a Preserve V.

Being only an aspiring CRW dog I'll answer what I know, meaning what I'm looking to add. Instead of front dive loops usually a "block" of webbing is sewn on a few inches below the connector links. This allows you to pull front risers quickly, keeps your hand from sliding down, and keeps other feet from getting caught. Often the risers at and above these blocks are wrapped in something to add friction. Vetrap (TM) from 3M seems to be common. It's usually used like an ACE bandage to wrap horses legs. It sticks to itself and provide friction. Larger and or self opening toggles are common. One kind I've seen uses pieces of cutaway cable to cause them to open. This allows fast grip. We used to use front to rear cross connectors. This was a 1/2 or 5/8 inch strap going from the front connector link to the back. This gave the top guy some where to put his feet and be able to take some load with out pulling up the slider and collapsing the canopy of the guy below him. I guess that's about all I can think of.

I think that rather than trying to compare by determining whether canopies fly "big", demo the canopy your interested in, watch others fly, and talk to those flying them. Areas probably mean more in comparing reserve "sizes" than high performance canopy flying. Just as a practical matter.

I ordered my first new, custom container in 1982. That was the last custom container I bought until 1997. In between I bought 3 stock new containers. It just didn't matter, I wanted manly black (common stock), the fit was ok if not perfect, and I didn't want to wait 8, 10, 12, 24 weeks. Get someone to help you with both container and harness sizing that has a lot of experience with different rigs. Your selection really is limited not to what looks nice, but to what fits you, your intended canopies for your experience level and then what is acceptable in terms of options and color. If you don't mind waiting, order up what you want. But the hardest part of ordering a new container is figuring out the colors . This might add 4 weeks. Terry

The Wings container uses part of the side flap to limit the mouth of the BOC pouch. When you pack it, the side flap will overlap part of the BOC pouch and limit the width of the mouth. This isn't obvious until the main is in it. I have one customer with about a year on his Wings and another with about 6 months and they haven't had any problem. This does provide for a hidden route for the bridle. Check out their web site at http://www.skydivewings.com/wings.htm for a drawing of what it looks like. I'm not sure what your mean about the cutaway handle. I don't remember it being much different from any other but I'll look at one I have in for reserve service tonight. Terry

Well said. I recommend RSL's for everyone at any experience level, but not all jumps, and recognize some people won't chose to use one. One thing I'm finding is that many newer jumpers have never had factual education about RSL's, just DZ rumor, often from the last guy that got off student status. One added point about being stable. Remeber the reason we don't use throwout reserves and most students are trained on ripcords is that containers with spring loaded PC's and ripcords are designed to open no matter what attitude your in. Terry

I use a food grade, lubrication spray silicon on a paper towel. One brand is Dow 316 Silicone Release Spray.

I have to admit I haven't heard this one before but it seems nuts to me. I don't think I could "spin" my Reflex top if my life depended on it. After having an older Racer reserve total for 1400 ft because a loop hung up, I looked long and hard at the Reflex before I bought one. Looked good and still looks good to me.

I need to set up some risers for some rigging customers and myself for CRW. I need to know where to get the "pink stuff" that's used to wrap (don't say wrap to a CReW dog!) the risers for grip. Also, does any one sell spring open toggles? Some have cutaway cable, some other systems. I can make them but I'd rather not hassle with it, to busy right now. Thanks, Terry D-8631

Relative Workshop used to recommend using a car wash power washer. Take every thing out/off, put it on a pallet or something else to keep it off the concrete, and be sure to pick a car wash that doesn't recycle their water (leaving dissolved salt etc in it). RW's current recommendation is here http://www.relativeworkshop.com/ie_index.html and it is what I generally recommend. There are several versions of Scotch Guard. Red can general use is what I've used in the past. 3M recommends two light coats.

There isn't much about aerodynamics in Poynters books, but they are the bible for rigging. There are new designs, materials, and methods since Vol 2 was published but still invaluable for the basics. If you want all the aerodynamics you can handle look at "Parachute Recovery Systems Design Manual" by T. W. Knacke. At Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0915516853/qid=1017342071/ref=sr_11_0_1/102-2575285-7009741 This includes all sorts of aerodynamic decelerators and is way over my head after 3 semesters of college physics. I think it is a required reference book for the Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar held by the AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technical Committee. http://www.eng2.uconn.edu/~adstc/conference.html Check out publications at this web site for one on Ram Air design.

ZP fabric also tends to take a "set" when packed. Some 0-3 cfm fabrics also do this, but it's random. I don't much like 0-3 cfm reserves that take a set and I wouldn't like a partial ZP that does the same thing. You can see this opening your main after our 5 month winter up here in the north. Will they open, sure. Will they open more slowly, especially at subterminal, maybe. I've got a Raven II that comes out like a brick and has to be pulled apart. Nobodies asked me to pack a partial ZP reserve yet. Don't know what I'll charge. The reason PD reserves have a 40 pack job life is that just handling the 0-3 cfm fabric increases the permiability. I think it was the Belgium military that presented some data on this at either the 97 or 99 symposium. Off subject, they also did studies on what surface was the most damaging to parachute fabric. Worst was rough surfaced concreate, second worst was a poly tarp that we all use at boogies. The micro fibers tend to stick up and act like a wire brush. One of the best surfaces (least destructive) was smooth finish concreate that you might see in an industrial setting.

There is a round reserve, the Preserve V that is intended for both high speed, high load deployments and low speed, low load deployments. It uses PC controlled break ties at the skirt. Both the high speed and low altititude low speed deployment video is impressive. I've sold a couple of these to heavier pilot customers. Ram airs may have trouble with meeting all of the criteria but a round using a system like this adapted for sport use might work. The thing they had the most trouble with was blowing up PC's. They eventually had to design a matching high strength PC. Integrating a canopy like this would probably require a dedicated harness/container system. I assume some one is working on this whether with a round or square.