fcajump

Bought new (many years ago), my Altitrack has always been reliable from startup through the last jump. This weekend, prior to turn-on, I noted (as normal) it was off and pointing to 6'k. But when I turned it on, it went through its normal startup process... and "zero'ed" itself at 4'k. Huh... never saw that before. Turned it off and instead of returning to the off condition of pointing to 6'k, its now pointing to 15'k. Turned it back on, back to 4'k (noted that the digital readout on the back says we're at 0') Adjusted it to a LZ relative elevation of -3'k (its limit) and the front says 1'k, with the back at -3'k. Gave up and let another rigger play with it, he turned it off/on, and now its fine. Worked fine the rest of the weekend. Anyone seen this type of behavior? JW

There are only a few (old) canopies I recall that call for a flat pack . (Strong Master Reserve uses a variant call the flop pack and at least to forbid using a pro pack) My reserve packs start the same way as a standing Propack, but then transition to a series of floor-based steps to formalize the clearing of the lines and grouping of the folds. I would describe it as intending to accomplish the same basic thing, but with lots of extra AR steps (on the floor) to ensure you got everything exactly where it should be as this is the last chance. A true flat pack starts with laying the canopy on one side (nose on one side, tail on the other), then stacking it by line groups. (easier to show than tell). Often it leads to a 1/4 turn toward the direction the nose was laid down on the floor. Pro packing was for "proper ram-air (canopy) orientation" to indicate that at all times during the pack job the canopy was oriented properly (with respect to the risers/harness) as opposed to the 1/4 turn needed in a flat pack. (will have to drag out on of my old canopy and see if I still can do it smoothly) JW

I have always doubled wrapped* with both tube stows and rubber bands (note - I refer large bands and use primarily dacron lines). For the non-closing stows, this make a tremendous difference in the proper holding of the line. *mostly - I don't usually double wrap my closing stows. I know PD recommends it and I don't dispute their results... but with dacron lines and healthy (but not long) bite, I haven't had any issues and tend to have better openings with the single wrap on the closing stows. (knock wood) JW

As I jump larger than average canopies (210-260s), I got shamed into dropping the side pack. It was around the time I decided to take a rigging course, so learning to Pro-pack was a needed skill anyway. 1/4 turn was normal here too. I still split-stow and follow the minimum unstowed line philosophy. (the later works better with split-stow as there is very little chance of having a line group caught around the reserve container) JW

I used tube stows for 15+ years and found them expensive but reliable. I used Keener bands for 15+ more years and have found them cheaper and reliable. If the new supplier is not producing quality, I will likely go back to tube stows. If you're not familiar with them, get with someone who is... I've heard folks that are scared of them, but not seen any reason to be. DO NOT experiment with solid bands like 'o' rings or castration bands. Every 5-10 years someone "discovers" them again... the will NOT break when you need them to do so. FWIW, when I used tube stows I found that the natural and black lasted well, but the bright colored ones did not (for me)... they looked cool, but wore out quickly. JW

I don't know if I would have taken that first step if there had not been SL option... The idea of freefall was a bit too much. At least with SL, one could learn all the other parts first. I would absolutely agree with you on Tandem in principle, BUT having gotten my TI under Strong Ent, and not surrounded by UTP, my _perception_ is that the reason many places do Tandem first and primary is money. It helps fund the DZ (at some DZ to the exclusion of all else), but I see very little "training" going on. SE pressed that this was a training jump with a student. Sigma pilots seem to be all about taking the passenger for a ride. Yea, I get it... 90% will only make one bucket list driven jump. BUT as my TI-E said (in effect)... if you treat them like a student, your rate of return will go up, and those that do return already have the mind-set of learning a skill rather than taking a ride. Just my $.03 JW

(heard 2nd hand) My assumption was that prior to calling my friend in, he had either did the bromo test, and/or tensile test. IIRC the rigger was trained ~1999 by DeWolf and would have included full training on the SAC issue (while they predated 1999, they were still common enough to walk in with older/closet gear). DeWolf kept a hot one around to give his class the briefing and chance to test a known bad one. JW

One of the coolest items on my Parachute Rigger CV THANKS Jerry!! JW Master Rigger Co-Developer Lap Parachute System

Call Butler Parachutes... I believe that Manley worked on ejection seats a bit.

Friend came out of retirement a few years back and took his closet-queen to an older rigger who tested the SAC reserve. Told my friend he needed a new reserve. Friend said "why?? its been well cared for..." Rigger picked up the skirt and easily ripped it to the apex. Friend (very fit Marine BTW) looked him dead in the eye and said... "so, what reserve would you recommend?" (I said he was a Marine... not stupid... he knew a life-saving demonstration when he saw it...) JW

I have seen at least one canopy where the info was stamped on the center cell/ center rib. JW

For me - absolutely. For you - depends on what you want out of it. I am convinced that in this sport there are many ways to make more money per hour. A part-time rigger can be the worst paid person on the DZ (per hour invested). But the knowledge and hands-on experience are worth the investment to me... I know more about my rig (and others) than I would have just being a jumper. I know how it was inspected, assembled, packed. Though not part of my original plan (to pack only my own reserves), I did end up packing hundreds of mostly pilot rigs, learned to repair, and was a speaker/presenter at multiple PIA symposiums. If you are not doing it full time, it will take more effort on your part to stay up with changes, even with regard to your own gear. JW

110% pure speculation - the mfg sees less liability in tunnels than in the sky?? (added: watching this thread myself as I would like to see an educated answer to the OP)

Ok, I know what I do, but wanted to hear other thoughts on how the harder to reach/see areas of the harness are inspected, such as: Leg strap - under the pads Confluence Wrap under the mud-flap back straps within the harness Now, I know that every rigger here inspects every inch of every rig, every time. But how well do you expect other rigger's check there areas? How confident are you that they can be completely inspected? What design changes might you suggest to make them easier to check? My biggest personal desire is to not have the leg padding bar-tacked to the leg straps. Some rigs are easier to see/feel the back straps than others... For components that are structurally critical and yet inaccessible (difficult access) for inspection, how confident are you that they are always done correctly at the factory and that they are not having any issues through use? What do you do to ensure they are still in good shape? JW

"AAAAANNNNDDDD, He's BAAAACK!!!!" Long time, no see Nipple Boy. Hope you've healed up well. Blue and Black ones, JW

I do agree you have a point. I started in the middle years (students had ramair mains, but round reserves, Cypres was just being tested and our big plane was a twin-bo, and everyone over B license opened at 2k unless they did CReW). Seatbelts in the plane, sure... the pilot has one... But as to the activities being done... I think its both. There were always the extremes ('chuteless jumps, low pulls), but the run-of-the-mill jumper was doing RW, some CReW and a 'high performance' canopy was not very much over 1:1.2 that I knew of... ZP canopies were not built much different than the other 99% of the canopies made out of F111. The activities (canopy loading, swooping for distance, playing tag with airplanes, mixing of wingsuits/canopies/belly/freefly to make new hybrids, proximity) are all working to push their respective limits. We get new toys or ideas, we try to see how far we can push the new ideas, technology, techniques, and activities. Unfortunately, the limits are usually found in blood/bones/bodies. JW

I prefer Dacron lines, but they do cause the canopy to fit as one size larger. Also, I use the standard rubber bands (NOT the shorter ones for microline), and double stow. Usually loose around one per jump on average (I also take them off if they are showing that they will break in the next few jumps). Remember, you need them to: - Hold when they should (good condition, right size band, right size bite, and tight enough - double wrap helps this) - Release when they should (right size band, neat bits and stows) - Break when needed (rubber bands or tube stows*. NOT castration bands, O-rings, or other solutions to "save you money and time") Its the difference between changing a rubber band and having a high-speed malfunction/reserve repack/finding that lost main that's still in the bag... yea... good luck with _that_ needle in a hay-field. *I like tube stows, but I know many folks don't... not trying to start _that_ flame war here... Having said that, TALK TO YOUR RIGGER. (s)he should be able to show, instruct, teach, demonstrate, and double check your work on this... if they won't or can't, TALK TO A DIFFERENT RIGGER... Blue skies!! JW

As the OP indicated they were talking of a "UT-15 complete system", I would amend that to read, "only reserves, harness, and containers" require a TSO. IIRC - if it is a complete system, legal in its home country, and jumped here by someone _from_ that country, then it is legal. But to be jumped here by anyone else, it must be US-TSO'ed. JW PS - here's where Counselman steps up and corrects me... for which my failing mind is, in fact, grateful.

...as long as the canopy behavior is not going to impair your ability to retain consciousness, altitude awareness, and cutaway at your chosen altitude. Better a lost canopy, than landing a bad one while blacked out. Just $.02, JW

UNLESS: you have a Racer that is equipped with a dual sided RSL. In which case you better know your system better than 99% of the people on this forum. Just sayin'. JW

Looking back on this, I'll bump it up with the question as to whether anyone else has recommendations beyond Paralog. While I now have my jumps over to it from JumpTrack, and it is (mostly) working, the lack of documentation, inconsistencies in how some of the features are supposed to work vs how they actually seem to (mostly not) work is frustrating. I'll keep using it for now, just wanted to see what other software y'all are using (if any). Among other features I'd like to have would be something that would link my video to the decent graph so as to easily see the graph move with the video. JW

Ok... I'm familiar with pull out, and throw out... is there a pic/diagram of the hybrid setup?

Anecdotal story told to me by a DPRE when working on my Masters rating was of a Master Rigger that had just done the major repair of replacing main lift webs/risers on a rig with the proper thread (cordage) only to have a catastrophic harness failure. Cause was traced down to his thread being stored where it was exposed to daily sun through a window. Testing of his thread found it was brittle/degraded with the conclusion being the degradation being due to UV. But when properly stored, does it breakdown in the absence of UV/chemical/heat sources... not that I know of... (and yes, for many reasons I am one that refers rigs over 20-25 years to other riggers) JW

I don't recall who it was, but one of the sport mfg's was offering (a few years back), a very quick turn if you would take a stock container size in all black except for a custom center star-burst flap. Meant they could produce them 90% done in bulk and during slow periods, and you still got the custom center and harness sizing. JW

This discussion originated on another site, but it seemed as though it would be appropriate to post here as well. My e-mail to SE: The question is: As SE has long placed non-reusable heat shrink covers over the French links on its PEPs, which once removed could only be replaced by disconnecting the line-to-riser connection to thread on new heat-shrink tubing, is it SE's intension that the rigger: - only inspect the links through the existing cover, - remove the cover, decouple the system, thread on new covers, inspect and reassemble, or - remove the cover and inspect as per industry standard practice, and leave them without covers? We specifically note that (as an example), the 304 Manual dated March 2021 indicates that one should: Section 5. Pre-Packing Inspection • Check the barrels on #6 Rapide link for cracks. • Check that links are tight. This would imply that the covers must be removed in order to perform this inspection. If the cover is not supposed to be removed, does this mean we must ground a rig that comes to us without the heat shrink cover? Do you allow other types of link covers (such as the slide-able vinyl tubing with a retaining tack loop, common on main skydiving canopies utilizing hard links)? As a follow-up/related question: Some who understand the instructions to mean that the covers are to be removed, and who have concerns that the then loose lines on the links could slide around the link exposing them to uneven loading during deployment, have suggested that, as with other manufacturers instructions on similarly rigged PEPs, the lines should be tacked as a group. (see pg 9 of the Butler "Personnel Canopy Packing Instructions" for example) Does SE endorse, allow, or not allow the tacking of the lines into a group for this purpose? --------------- The response from SE: In order for the links to be properly inspected you must remove the heat shrink. While the heat shrink can be replaced in the field as mentioned by decoupling the system we do approve that the heat shrink be left off. In this case we recommend that the link be hand tacked as close as possible on the riser end to prevent side loading and that the lines be tacked into groups preventing them from sliding out of place. We also approve the use of the mentioned vinyl tubing with retaining tack loop as an alternative link cover.