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Sad to say, but I suspect that most of us would quietly admit that this is a major reason we became riggers... So that we could best ensure that our own rig is airworthy from top to bottom... It had little to do with packing for anyone else. JW I apologize for being so philosophical. I should be drinking when I write this shit. When I am drinking, I usually give up before posting. Not at all

Sad to say, but I suspect that most of us would quietly admit that this is a major reason we became riggers... So that we could best ensure that our own rig is airworthy from top to bottom... It had little to do with packing for anyone else. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

MS Paint ... I don't get them fancy graphic tools... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For ME, I also feel that the rig indicates that the rigger on record (matching seal letters) was the last one in there. Not 100%, but keeps honest people honest. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I was taught slightly different... Both through the seal, then one around the pin tip and back through the seal. This has two threads from the ripcord to the seal, and only one to the pin... Therefore more likely to stay with the ripcord. However, even if both sides to the ripcord did break, the seal is not threaded through the loop. However... I don't remember ever being told not to go through the loop until this came up... Jerry - good rigger forum discussion idea for you: "Rigging lessons learned on DZ.com" JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

However, if you are still using your SSN and apply for a non-SSN registration number, they will send you a new License (plastic) card for free. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yea... but if you just keep them on the same risers and move the whole system...? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Looks good to me... I'm not sure how good they are at holding lines to webbing, but I'm willing to spend many hours experimenting with them. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

waw, you're finally at aluminium planes ? I thought you would be at wood+fabric fabric? you had fabric...?? why when I was your age, we used feathers like nature intended!!! We didn't need no stinkin' fabric on our planes! Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Agreed, but we've also seen that: improperly installed either can fail each must be periodically inspected to ensure its still serviceable soft links (eventually) wear out during normal use And catastrophic failure of the (old/worn out) soft link can (has) occur during critical flight phases. And price wise (not a major issue... just looking): SLink ~ $6ea (main slink at paragear.com) Mallion ~$2.50ea (#4 std) ~400lbs Mallion ~$7.50ea (#4 SS) ~650lbs I understand the desire to pull the slider down beyond the links, but now many put the "hats" on them to keep hold the slider up... And its good that they don't damage slider grommets (of course link covers do that too). But hot grommets also can damage the soft link or risers. On the other hand, with the right raw line in hand, I can make a new soft link any time... (thanks Jerry) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

A few years back I had a former F16 pilot who wanted SWARs* on her Pilot Emergency Parachute cause its what she had in her ejection system. Butler said "sure, just pay the $1250 each for the pair"... We decided that $25 each for shot+1/2s would be fine. JW *special capewells that automatically release the canopy when submerged in saltwater. Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

tipping, by definition, is never "required" "Unless your party has 8 or more people, in which case a 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill." (bottom of many restaurant menus) I guess, they assume that if you brought 7 friends, you already know the service will be that good.... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Which do you prefer? (risers or any other normal use... obviously a speed link on a PC bridle might not be the best fit...) Listening to the latest SDR, and Dave was discussing changing the pilot chute bridle link to a soft link as an improvement... While I've worked with both, I just don't see why its considered that much of an improvement... Your turn... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Sometimes I wish the new jumpers had a better understanding of how far we've come... I was there for the birth of the new era... When I bought my first rig, I had to seriously decide whether or not to get: Sentinal / FXC / Cypres / none Round / Square reserve Dytter / Paralert Chose the Cypres / Square / Dytter, but there were those who really thought I was too far out on the leading edge with these newer things... (even though it was 1991!) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I used to tip my rigger all the time, but don't think he usually got tips. I don't see tipping to be that common, but it would be nice. More common to this community you've joined is to hang out after the day is over and buy some beer/soda/pizza/etc... with your new friends. Welcome!! JW (diet coke w/ Deep Dish Pepperoni and Anchovy!!) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Ok, need some help here... I recall several discussions with older jumpers who were discussing the early AAD's they had on student rigs. Specifically AAD's that required the jumper to disarm them after the main opened as their only firing parameter was altitude. One jumper even described a reserve fire while descending under a fully open main because he forgot to disarm it. While I will be going back to some of these older jumper/acquaintances of mine, I was looking for the wisdom of the group here to see if anyone recalls these older AAD's. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Got me one... its nice... Not to say this shouldn't be an option for those that want it... just ironic... the earliest AAD's had to be turned off after the main opened as they had no vertical speed sensor, only altitude. JW PS - There was a question about which (old) AAD I was refering to that had to be dis-armed... I think it was the original Sentinel (not MK2000)... FMI see http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4010256#4010256 Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Vectors (I&II) - they should be Vector III's. Racer - it should be "delivered" (ok, I've only been waiting a couple weeks, so I shouldn't complain.) Changes: + CHEAPER!! + Ability to take a much wider range of main canopies. So I could swap from my little swooper to my demo/classic accuracy canopies with the same rig. (Strong had one back in the day, but I don't see anyone making them now...)

Like many things on this board, I admit this is speculation but... When I started (1990) most were wearing protec or frap-hats. Reasonable hearing in either. Mid-airs were almost unknown. Now we have sound-proof/full-face/iPod-enhanced helmets, and mid-airs are (relatively speaking) common. Get your head out of your cockpit and look/listen for those you are flying with... Rarely do any other pilots fly in such close proximity with each other (relative to their speeds) intending to land in the same area at the same time as we do. The LEAST you could do is keep 100% of your senses on the flight. Just my $.02 JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'll have to go back and check mine... One of my Strong Star Makers has a metal handle, but the other is white plastic... The metal one is bent, but I don't remember the plastic one being bent... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

0 I did when I was actively teaching. One DZ liked that I brought my own rig, though after a while I also would use the DZO's rig when mine was being packed an we were rushed. Another DZ wanted me to come jump there occasionally, but would NOT take me on condition that I used my own rig and having seen their gear that is the ONLY way I would do tandems there... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Haven't been there... just thinking it through it would depend on the nature of the emergency... Stall/spin during jump-run at alt. (a couple friends of mine went through this in completely different situations) - you may have trouble getting to the door and/or away from the aircraft (one was pinned to the underside of the wing for a couple rotations). So yes, flying in any manner that gets you clear of the spinning mess (not to mention props) would be best. Use the altitude to get clear, but don't loose track of what you have left. I've heard arguments for opening high or waiting until lower... For myself, I think once I was SURE I was clear of plane (wreckage?) and other jumpers, I would pull as high as possible to give myself best possible clearance/time/space to deal with whatever transpired next. But this varies considerably depending on your experience and what is going on. On the other extreme... an engine out on a twin where the pilot is holding it flat/stable for you to bail at 2k, I would do a quick normal head-up exit into the wind and deploy main. I believe everyone that is licensed should be comfortable doing a fast dive-away or clear-n-pull exit on short notice. If you're not, practice... its like practicing any other EP's. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

DC5 - ...saved the lives of many free falling students (including me and my wife)

(From Nancy at JumpShack:) "All of our reserves are currently TSO'd under C23d and SAE Aeronautical Standard AS-8015B. The difference between the smaller canopies that are certified to 254 lbs, and the larger canopies that are certified to 330 lbs is that the larger canopies were test dropped at a higher weight and speed." Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I almost begged the new DZO that bought my home DZ to let me have the older model gear when he decided to update the gear (and again when he proceeded to close about a year later)... I know most were de-lined, but I could never find out where the canopies when... I suspect the scrap heap JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...