fcajump

Can't speak on the IPC, other than to say everyone can have a bad day... As to your situation, my basic checks when things aren't quite right: Is it controlable? Is it landable? (safely) Is it going to stay that way? If so I keep it , otherwise chop. You were there, not me so I will NOT tell you that you did wrong (or right). However I would suggest arranging to open high on a few jumps and learn to fly and flare the canopy with the risers only. Do this with brakes stowed, and then again with them both released. You will find that steering and the stall (point and behavour) very different than with toggles, but that with careful application the canopy is very fliable and landable on rear risers*. *I have been told that this is less true with much smaller canopies, but assuming you are still on larger/conservative canopies. I had two occasions in my first 30 jumps to land using rear risers (Goliath w/ broken stearing line) and it is a very useful skill. (I HIGHLY recommend practing the flare high. Some canopies stall suddenly and dramatically on rears.) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Its been a little while since I was up on the regs, but Strong (used to?) requires a 25 jump external inspection of the entire system and main canopy. Wanna bet how many DZ's stick to this? (I know, some do, but...) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Right, but not within the individual forum that I'm done reading. Just a thought, (there I go again... "thinking"...) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

In the Forums, it would be nice to have the "Mark All Read" option even when there are no new posts, but there are unread replies. (see attached) THANKS FOR THE SITE!! JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Depends on (among other things) line type, and how far out of trim you are willing to tollerate. My PD-260 is still on its original line set (dacron ~500 jumps) and other than a brake line retrim is fine. My spectre was not opening the way I wanted and needed retrim after ~300 (spectra). However, if it has not yet been done, you might consider that its time for a new line set for the canopy in your pic JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Um... Spark... 2000 + 18 = 2018... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Depends on the instructor... I would suggest that it is more like a pilot logging time spent in the right seat with instructor in the left... Some will log time simply looking at the controls, and some will log time actively flying with the instructor observing and teaching... What you get out, depends on what you (and the instructor) put in to it... I prefer tandem "STUDENTS" to tandem "passengers." JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Pulled out some unused #6 SS Rapide Mallion Links and was very dissappointed to find the both ends of the barrels had sharp edges (presumedly from cutting the threads.) They were sharp enough to snag fibers on both the lines and harness webbing. While I've seen this before when installing the links (some mention taping threads to help avoid this), this time it is extending from the barrel and still snags fibers after the link is closed... I guess I could file the ends smooth, but not used to seeing this on Rapide links... Anyone else seen this?? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Most stated recommendations/advice is on the mfg STATED size. There are dozens of ways to measure the square footage, all giving different answers. For now, use the mfg size and as always my advice is go one size larger when asking the question. JW Rigger Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

When manually extracting on the ground, I have noticed that some containers (with their correct D-bag and a properly sized 'chute) will be tight either way, BUT when the bridle comes out from the top (nearest the reserve) the containers "breaks" (arches away from the jumpers back) and allows the bag to dislodge from one side, rotate up and out. Whereas pulling on it from the center, the bridle/PC has to overcome friction from all four sides of the D-bag at once. This is how it was explained to me as a student, and I have seen it on many rigs since. Does this mean it makes a difference in the air at terminal speeds... dunno... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Don't know about Dan's stats, but during a conversation with a fabric manufacturer he said that the (fabric) industry standard light exposure measurement is the lumins that is approx the same as noon-day on the summer solstace in the Arizona desert on a clear day. Made sense at the time, since they would need to have SOME standard by which to test... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

One piece in the puzzle: According to Cazer - yes. The ZP version of his very popular brand of kill-line PC come in (at least) two sizes: 24" for canopies 150 sq-ft or less 28" for canopies over 150 sq-ft. Mr. Booth? You've got the most information on this I suspect... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Pix, we want pix... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As someone else mentioned, RIGGERS are a great help. I also will do an informal escrow and pre-purchase inspection. Typically the buyer pays for the inspection and shipping, but anything can be worked out if spelled out IN ADVANCE. Who is paying shipping? Is the sale contingent upon inspection? Who is paying for inspection (if part of the sale)? Who is paying for return shipping if rejected? Verify that the rigger is willing and able to turn around the inspection at the time you both want it. Also, request serial numbers up front. Checking the stolen lists up front are better than later in the process. Finally, know what you are looking for. You're spending a lot of money (often). Make sure that you do your homework and getting what you actually want. Personal (recent) story You can get some very good gear at reasonable prices. I wanted a new (used) canopy. Found two ads for the make/model/size I wanted (same price, one claiming 150 jumps and the other 350). Inspected one and found it to have >5 times the wear that the claimed number of jumps would account for and a 8"^2 patch not disclosed in the ad. Returned immediately with a summary report of what was found. Inspected the second and found it exactly as advertised. Paid the seller his asking price then and there. Sales contingent upon a rigger's inspections will save you alot of money and grief. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Count one more time that someone gave you "crap" about your colors !!! But at least we'd see you coming, at night, with a new moon, wearing sunglasses... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I'm sure that there are times when individual packers are having bad days (riggers too) and don't want to be bothered. But rarely would they have a problem with you quetly watching. If you see something you don't understand, you might ask then or maybe wait and ask later (or a rigger) about what you saw. Also, ask them when they are not busy if it would be OK to watch and discuss. Usually they don't bite. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Com'on... tell us how you really feel. It is so sad to see someone who has excelled at one side of the sport and neglected the basics... Saw a 4 way miss a load because one of the jumpers (1000+ jumps) could not find a packer and hadn't packed since getting signed off for his A. Besides, most packers do ONE thing... PACK. You CAN'T rely on them to untwist your brake lines, notice the gradual freying of your lines due to a grommet spur, or even see that you've got a gear problem. And someplaces I understand that they require you to prep your gear FOR packing... Ah, but you take your rig to a rigger ever 120... he'll check it... really, sure he checks the main (some do, some don't) and besides there is alot on a main that can be good now and fail in use in less than 4* months. (*even more so in 6... ) Once in a while, sure. Team practice day, fine. But when the sh!t hits the fan, its you and the rig falling at 120, not the rigger and not the packer... Personally, I would like to see "no packer for personal gear until C licensed"... but that's just me... JW

That's my understanding, that is does nothing but we're taught in our EP's to pull it in order because when we get off the student rigs that's how a regular rig is setup. Stupid? I don't think so, just look at the fatality in the incident thread possibly caused by going straight for the silver. When I get off this rig, I will pull the handles in order everytime, I couldn't imagine the complications if I spent all my student jumps thinking "go straight for silver, straight for silver", I might end up dead like the fatality mentioned. I was told it does nothing but it placed there to reinforce good habits in EP's because once I'm off the student rig it WILL cutaway. I would say that's exactly the case, it's what the CI/DZO told me. Being one that had to transition from a main ripcord (outboard-chest) and SOS to an "experienced" rig, I understand why they would do this. However I am very concerned about the actual emergency on this type of system where the student worries about pulling a dummy handle and wastes time getting to that SOS to save his life... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Mis-routed Belly-Band!!! (ask an OLD-timer) Also - worn-out PC (old enough not to generate the needed drag) broken PC center lines (not the kill line) don't know if this would necessarily cause PCIT, but could Mr. Booth, you invented the dang thing... you have anything to add?? JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yes, but I can think of MANY more scenarios where the bigger the better (with in bounds of reason). JW Do you know how a 20-30-50% bigger reserve fly a biplane ? No, not enough studys done (yes, I've read the PD and the older Knight studies). And yes, as someone else mentioned Sh!t happens (been there, had two out myself). I've also had a total that caused me to land down wind into a small field. There will always be reasons for or against anything (and I do not discount your reasoning at all). I, like most of us are simply trying to make choices that will minimize the risks. Personlly, I avoid the issue you raised by not having a large varience in main/reserve... Large reserve for the notion of what I would want to land me while incapacitated down wind in bad conditions... And it also balances with my Spectre 230 which is soft and forgiving. For those jumping hankerchiefs... they will have to make their best guess at the risks (two out compatibility and chances vs having to land a tiny reserve in unfavorable conditions after the day was already going bad and the chance that this is what they will one day have to face...) As I said, I think there are many more reasons to have a large reserve than reasons to have a small one. Just my $.02 JW

Yes, but I can think of MANY more scenarios where the bigger the better (with in bounds of reason). JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

In all things - balance -... even in simplicity. Even earlier AADs (AODs) kept it even simpler, no rate sensor... of course your students had to remember to disarm it after opening... I think Cypres has the balance just about right for the sport market. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Yea. Have. What annoyed me was ordering (don't remember where from) several materials (type IV, XII, binding, etc...) all from one vender on the same order and all in "Gold" and getting three different colors... (not even complementory shades) JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Uh, oh! Does that mean if you swoop at over 88mph, you jump back in time? Of course.. that's why they created the swoop version, silly "Time" it right and you're back at 14,000' just out of the door!! Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

AGREED!!! That ain't No Sh!t!!! Like many I "just want to learn to do my own"... Run man, its a trap!!! Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...