riggermick

ParaInovators had the carry handle standard on the StreamLite in 1980.

Well said Terry, that sums it up. Mick.

QuoteNo, no, I'm way out of that game now. But, if I were a betting man, I would put money on never seeing a new Reflex ever again... And I would enjoy taking your money!!!!!!! Cuz I still have a couple of brand new un-touched still in the bag ones stashed away. How are you Ryan, how is everything going? Mick.

Too much paper work involved in justifying such a small mod. You know, manual changes, drawing changes, parts list changes , Mfg operation sheet changes etc. Big fat pain in the ass. Mick.

I heard rumor that they had made too many changes to the Reflex design, thus had the TSO pulled on the rig. Also, I heard the guy that was doing the rigging quit not to long after they bought Fliteline Inc, and the rig again took a dive from lack of experience to build it. TSO's don't "get pulled" for too many changes. All one has to do is present the changes to the MIDO that covers that area and and have it signed off, not a big deal. I suspect that when Ray is ready he'll move forward with it again. Mick. There is also no link to order one on the website. Rob

Ok here it is, as previously noted this is highly subjective very much like what constitutes beautiful. Officially the TSO C23(d) standards and practices document the SAE AS9015 (b) states: 4.3.6.2-After a breakaway vertical velocity must be less than 20'/ sec with an activation with in 2 sec of the breakaway (waaaay less than terminal). The canopy must be "functionally open" within 3 sec + (if needed) 2 more sec giving a total of 5 seconds as the worst case scenario (still pretty darn quick). All other drops (and openings) 3.4.6- requires a canopy "functionally open" within three seconds of pack opening (regardless of speed) Additionally: 4.3.9 requires 2 drops of @ least 20 sec (that would be the official standard for a terminal velocity deployment on a reserve canopy) with the canopy "functionally open" within 3 sec. All that being said, a 10 second delay from a chop would still qualify in most peoples minds as a terminal deployment. Like I said earlier it's somewhat subjective. Hope this helps rather than hinders. Mick. PS: I was the first person to go through the TSO C23(d)process with a harness/ container system, so I have a little insight as to the "subtle neuoncies" (sp) of the whole process).

Hey, those were good rigs once you got rid of that unnecessary padding! Hey, I actually did a few "live fire execise" jumps on those "mofo's" .Quite uncomfortable as I recall. @#$%%!#&&*$#$ uncomfortable padding!!!!!!!!!!! Grt rid of it yes/ no???????????? . No being the lesser of the weavolls. Who knew ................at the time???????? Mick. Mick.

I think you'll get a much better response if you post them...

FYI: Reflex has a single pin. Thank god for that!!! I thought I was going crazy. Mick. Ed

Main lift web too short or laterals too short or both. doesn't have to be by much. Time is short gotta go to work, I'll try to give a more detailed answer later. Mick.

Anyone know what happened to Vic Logan? I lost touch with him a few years ago. He was my next door neighbor in the Perris "ghetto" for many years. He was a hard guy to get to know, but once he warmed up to you he was great friend to have around. After we all went our separate ways in the early 90's, me to San Diego and him to lord knows where, he just dropped off the radar. I often Think about him and his unique technique for picking up women (anyone that ever saw him in action knows what I mean). It would cool to talk to him again, if he's still around (someone told me he had some health problems a few years ago). If anyone has contact info or any other info on how he's doing I'd sure appreciate hearing it. Thanks all. Mick.

Not true. It is a TSO'd item, I have seen some manufacturers that do put serial numbers on the ripcords. Mirage is one of them. Just because it isn't there on some doesn't mean it's not required. JP's right, TSO'd ripcords must be marked as they are considered a major component. Reflex ripcords must have the part number ARC655-1 (2 or 3)D depending on the rig model, the month and year of mfg. Call Action Air for the correct model. Mick. I forgot to add: ARC655-1 28", -2 27", -3 26". Lengths +/- 1/8". That's measured from the tip Of the pin to the tip of the ball/ shank swedge. Mick.

Not true. It is a TSO'd item, I have seen some manufacturers that do put serial numbers on the ripcords. Mirage is one of them. Just because it isn't there on some doesn't mean it's not required. JP's right, TSO'd ripcords must be marked as they are considered a major component. Reflex ripcords must have the part number ARC655-1 (2 or 3)D depending on the rig model, the month and year of mfg. Call Action Air for the correct model. Mick.

Hi Paul, How's it goin? Hope all is well. Mick.

One of the first people I met in America in Feb 1983. Anyone REALLY know what happened to him in the SB mountains that year? I heard the rumors, still have one or two of his personal things he left me before he dissapeared, vowing to return. He left a lasting impression on me, good or bad........you choose,just curious. Mick.

A little off topic but still relavant. Mick.http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_reply_write;quote=1;parent_post_id=929949

I said "or so"........Doesn't that cover the spread?????? Mick.

DONT THROW ANYTHING OUT! Knowing you, you've got way too much cool stuff! I wont throw anything out, if you notice the A/C taxing out to the north in the back ground of "Otter" pic its none other than 817.... go figure. Just as an aside (albit ironic and tragic) the SCAT Otter is "nosed in" just a few feet SSE from where Pappa Victor came to a tragic stop some ten years later, killing many of my good friends in a day that would change my life forever. BSBD compadraes. I still feel the pain. Many good times were had, I miss you all. Mick.

All things being equal, if the above is true and correct 1500-2000...... or so. Hey you asked! Mick.

I think (being pretty aware of the TSO process from having worked with a company re-qualifying their TSO after a move) that the FAA would be happy to get out from under the liability, and hassle of managing the TSO system. There is not enough business to keep employess involved full time in the TSO program so it usually falls on someone who is over burdened with other things anyway. Most FAA personel understand parachutes like a cat understands quantum physics. For example in the re-qualifying inspection one FAA inspector (her usual job was pushing paper in the FSDO) couldn't understand how we could have tolerances of 1/4 inch or so. "Doesn't everything have to be in millimeters or so?" C'mon, it's fabric already. If you think the FAA has anything to do with the lack of a change in repack cycles, I sugest you call up the PIA commitee on the subject and ask them why it is still on the table. I didn't want a structured pro and con list as it would restrict free thinking. You're preaching to the choir. Any idea what I do for a living? As often as not the TSO process for sport parachute manufacturers is a hinderance to producing gear with the latest saftey features. It complicates the process of manufacturing endlessly. There are examples where a TSO is not used, that operate well, and produce equipment to as high or higher standards than the TSO'd equipment on our backs. BASE gear, and Military Systems as two examples. What if a QC program like ISO9000 were required, but the antiquated TSO system scraped. Or is there a better solution. Is the TSO the best out there, or should it be revamped. Does the FAA even understand the requirements of how it applies to Sport Parachute gear, or are they playing the "interperative guessing game" just as much as the industry is? JP, I was gonna come to your defence but now I don't need to. You've stated your case well. Alan seems to looking for a fight to prove you wrong or stupid or somthing who knows why. Both of you have valid points of view and both are correct, taken in the context of this discussion. Lets keep the discorse on topic it's great to hear all sides articulated so well. Of course I could be wrong...............Naaahhh. Mick.

As promised in a previous post here are some more Perris aircract pic's. The SCAT otter circa thanks giving 1983, the pilot of the cessna 150 that destroyed 817 and a different view of the impact. The jumper injured in the accident was Darryl Shultz, he was very lucky. He recieved a very bad leg laceration and some bruses.He was entering the DC3 (on the ladder)at the time of impact. I've found many cool trivia items since I cleaned out my garage, I'll post some more in the future. Mick.

Hey Mick, Any paperwork that is time consuming is complicated to me. Sparky I hear ya bro!!! Mick.

No, he's right it's not that complicated its just very time consuming and as we all know time is money!!. The last time I went through the procedure was in 1995 and we were the first harness/ container "TSO'd" under C23d (that's a whole story in it'self). Eliminating TSO requirments is not a smart idea, it sounds good on paper but in reality it would open up a whole Pandoras box of issues that are currently addressed. Mick.

QuoteYou might try exposing it to a good wind, out the window of a car or something (start slow, be careful of course). It will need to be at least 4' out from the side of the vehicle in order to clear the burble, otherwise yo are just wasting your time. Mick.