fcajump

Same story at Hartwood, VA (USA) but the plane was a Cessna 206. Pilot landed in a tree quite the worse for wear. Unfortunately we lost a jumper that day. Most of what I pack are for pilots... and it is my hope that none of them ever have need of them, and my assumption that every one will be used the next day. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I still jump two different Cruiselite XL's... but the discussion of those would better be discussed under the title of "what I use for intentional cut-aways"... JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Mark, Thanks! Had always simply picked them out without thinking whether to reuse or not (duh..). Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

If you would not mind, please PM me the full file. We "plus-sizes" would like to see it too... Jim exit - ~254 Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Rob Harris? Don't remember... did not know the person, but remember the equipment issue well as it was right around the time I was designing my own system. Since then I have revisited the method, and I think there is a way to make it more fail-safe. (modeled on how Strong keeps the TM from cutting away a main without releasing the drogue.) May we collectively not need to learn from mistakes twice. J~ Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

[reply Things to learn about binding: -Learn both ways to remove binding: a) With hot knife OK... you' got some 'splainin' to do... I've seen confluence wraps removed with razerblades, but not binding tape with a hot knife... please 'splain... J~ Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I am practicing the same as you. Pain the the @$$, but I'll get there... I now understand why they also sell double needle machines where you can raise one needle independent of the other... I just don't have the dough... Good luck, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For the rest of you (us), it is my recollection that they will take the unit up to 3 month ahead of its due date. Better to send it in Dec/Jan than mid-spring. Both for you to not jump in the winter and for their delays of handling the spring rush. Jim PS - to my SA, OZ, NZ and other "upside-down" friends , please forgive my Northern hemisphere centric thinking. Hmmm... or should that be (-: ? Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

For the record, I would say that ALL extra equipment and procedures have their added risks... including my own 3-rig system which I jump on a semi-regular basis. I have considered (and may yet use) the method you describe. However for the sake of discussion, it should be mentioned that a similar system and an out-of-sequence cut-a-way was the route cause of a jumper's death a few years ago. (will dig it up if I can find it) Review discovered that he had deployed the junk main, then pulled by mistake the ACTUAL main cut-away. This caused the junk main to load on the still packed main pin. (riser to riser still linked) Bad situation never got better. Be carefull out there and consider that the jumper is also a weak link in this. Jim (BTW - intentionals... best jumps I make... and they scare me sh~tless everytime!! ) Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Sorry to hear about your opening. Heal soon. I also jump a Spectre (230), and while it has always treated me well, any canopy can open hard. To actually answer your question, I would suggest getting a rigger to inspect both your main and your harness. This for both any potential cause AND for any potential damage cause BY the opening. It should include ALL parts of the main system (3-rings to pud) and the harness. He may find that you have a line-trim problem or torn rib or other things. Heal soon. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I do business on EBay, but it is possible to be scammed. One question... Do you have serial number and color pattern for us? Would help in spotting it. (OK, maybe a long shot, but who knows.) (If you don't, check with your rigger and/or where you bought it. I keep full inventory of all gear that I service including descriptions and serial numbers.) Good Luck, Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Having the chest strap shortened is easy, BUT don't do anything until the rig is completely filled out (with canopies) and you have jumped it for a while. You may find a reason to keep the extra. And making it longer is much harder than shortening it (or leaving it along). Just my $.02 J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

I've been the rigger in this scenario several times and it seems to work out fine. I've even had the buyer and seller agree to send the payment to me (made out to the seller) for holding during the inspection. Then upon my report (given to both), they tell me where to send the check and where to send the rig. Who pays me, that's up to the buyer and seller, but I get paid up front. Additionally, I STRONGLY recommend that your BID (or purchase) be made ONLY after the seller agrees in writing (email) that the sale is contingent upon YOUR rigger inspecting it. Of the sellers I have bought from (or aided in the purchase), of the ones that agreed to make the sale contingent upon inspection, ALL the rigs were found to be as described. However some sellers were unwilling to commit to this requirement. Jim Additionally, I recommend that all Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Terry, You might drop a line to Dan at Para-phernalia, last I knew he was using FFE canopies in the Softie and would likely know the status. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Hi, Very simple! have your local rigger replace the chest strap for a longer one, abour 5" longer! All he needs is a piece of type 17, a single needle and a zigzag machine. We perform this work quite often here and the cost can be around $45. I'm pretty sure you have articulated rings on your chest so it's very simple. I hope this helps! Cheers, Having not (yet) consulted Sunpath, I suspect (in the US) you should specify "Master Rigger" as this most certainly would be a major repair/alteration. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

In 4 years skydiving will be all virtual reality. it's pretty much the same but no risk! In discussing appropriate equipment for relative work: - Pat Works "Parachuting: The Art of Freefall Relative Work" (1975) Interesting how times change... one jumper now has more altitude sensing devices than some previous whole loads of skydivers... Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

And then there is Dave DeWolf's annual session in late Jan/ early Feb (don't remember which) in Elizabethtown, PA. His class roster usually fills by September the prior year, so book early. JW Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Pure white. Shows off your skill in standing up those landings all the time. J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Agreed that it does not matter much in this context, and in common discussions ZP does stand for 0-porosity. HOWEVER (since we're being anal here

Please understand the nature of the responses you are getting on both this and your question on main canopy sizes. Based on the nature of your question and the fact that your profile gives us no indication that you have any significant jump experience, the canopy sizes you are asking about is NOT appropriate for your stated weight. The weight/size combinations you are refering to would be questionable for a HIGHLY experienced jumper, but for someone with less than several thousand jumps of progressively higher performance canopys, it would be highly dangerous. The combination is like asking if a 16 year old on a learner's permit should have a Farrari. Until or unless we hear more about what you currently fly and your experience, many people will take your question as a joke with no offence intended. PLEASE talk to an experienced instructor and/or rigger who you would trust with your life and who personally knows your skill level before buying gear. J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Not sure how each examiner would view this, but for me: Main repack - out, shaken, packed. Being observant of the normal areas of concern. (not to be confused w/ a main canopy inspection which is sometimes called for) Reserve repack - out, aired as necessary, INSPECTED packed per mfg instructions, sealed and signed off. J Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

As a larger/broader guy myself, I tell you... "You are... but that doesn't mean you aren't right." (actually the math works against us, but ignore that for now...) The only concern, is this... remember that while you can scale down your canopy in the same rig, there is such a thing as "too small" for the container. If you downsize your canopy, make sure the container is still properly filled and the closing loop tension is tight. (Maybe Booth has pre-written guidelines on "too loose" that he could insert here...?) Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Actually the reason also has to do with the FAA... FAR 105.43(a) reads: The main parachute must have been packed within 120 days before the date of its use of a certificated parachute rigger, the person making the next jump with that parachute, or a non-certificated person under the direct supervision of a certification parachute rigger. And if you don't think they (can be) serious, we were carded during the pilot's briefing before an airshow. All present had their current USPA card, License and Reserve Pack Data Card. BUT the (young) FAA rep wanted definative PROOF that all main's had been repacked within the last 120 days before he would let us jump. We stated that: 1. we WERE the jumpers intending the use them and would testify that we had repacked them recently (see our log books) 2. most of USPA headquarters were present (and jumping) 3. there is no recording requirement in 105.43a He finally backed down when we presented documentation that: 4. most of the are riggers were present (with credentials) and all of us assured him that we open the main when we repack the reserve, therefore the main must have been repacked. He was new and simply looking for a reason to flash his badge, but for the record the requirement is there. The more you know... Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

Also In addition to the good advice already made, let me add... I myself am 5'9" and 200+, and while I could stand to drop a few this spring, I am also an athletic build. I asked that same set of questions when I bought my first rig at ~35 jumps. I chose to buy new and would recommend the same. 1. I needed to KNOW where the gear had been and what condition it was in. I did not want trouble with someone else's cast-aside with that little experience (no offence). 2. Custom harness size. For the larger built, especially in the torso and shoulders (like me), most rigs that you can get into are still not right. Remember most folks that buy used gear focus on the container volumes and take the size harness that happens to be attached. BOTH the container size AND harness size are a factor for guys built like us. Jumping a rig with a too small yoke or main lift web hurts after a while... my second rig was used... great rig but the main lift web was too short for me... 3. Canopy size. DO NOT buy the canopy you will want later. Buy the canopy you can safely handle when you've already pushed the wind/condition limits and get an out landing. This means the reserve too. 4. Container size. I would recommend here, buying a rig that is correct for the canopies, but is a little tight for the main. Here you are giving yourself the flexibility to move down to a smaller main later (assuming you don't need to move up because you took #3 seriously). Good luck and have fun! Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...

While I personnally jump with a Pro-Track and have found it loud enough for me, I would like to throw this out for consideration in the theme of "Bigger isn't always better" How loud is too loud? While I realize (first hand) that the audio needs to overcome the wind-noise (I jump w/ a Protec and believe me, there is alot) if the pure emphasis is making them louder, what long-term hearing loss and or tinitis (sp?) risks are we running. BEFORE YOU START: I realise that not hearing it is also a risk, but if you can already... why buy one that is twice as loud? I would especially ask this of those wearing full face helmets or even frap-hats as these tend to decrease the effect of wind noise. Bigger isn't always better, louder isn't always safer. Just a thought. Jim Always remember that some clouds are harder than others...