riggermick

A "box" stitch is usually added across the top and sides of a four point stitch pattern at the three ring attachment point. this helps prevent the base ring from peeling and tearing through the four point stitch pattern during a head down opening. The use of a confluence wrap (wide webbing that wraps around the entire joint and is sewn in with the stitch pattern) greatly increases joint integrety and strength. If neither were present (as in the old days) a base ring could seperate the junction during a hard head down opening, causing the diagonal back strap to seperate from the harness and the wearer to drop out. Not so good. As far as how many times webbing can be sewn, that's a judgement call as there is no maximum set by law, but three sounds prudent. Mick.

It's all about vanity, always has been. Jumpers have wanted smaller and smaller stuff for 25 years or more. If some one is vain enough to actually have one of these in their rig then they may as well sell their AAD because they are not going to need it. landing unconcious on concrete or hitting the corner of a building would in all probability be fatal. Mick.

I was chief AFF instructor during this time and was on the king air when the tail strike occured. It felt like we had just had a mid air collision. Wayne and myself followed the unconsious student in to a canyon with 110,000 volt power lines running over it. He compound fractured his femur on landing that was his most serious injury. His harness was completly demolished on one side and it was only the velcro wrap around the 3 ring confluence wrap that kept him from falling out. It was a "fun" time to be jumping, Bill's right a lot has changed in the intervening years. Mick.

There you go, it's done. As for beer, I think I've bought my fair share over the years, but I'm not opposed to someome buying me one. Later. Mick.

Today 05/05/04 marks my twenty sixth year in the sport. I don't jump as much as I used to but I still do on occasion and I still have a current AFF rating. Stay safe out there. Mick Cottle.

Bill, The Catapult was NEVER designed to defeat a horse shoe main parachute malfunction. Of all the main/ reserve entanglments that happen is't a 50/ 50 crap shoot that your reserve will deploy even with one pilot chute. I have lost a few freinds over the years to main/ reserve entanglements, from no cutaway, line snagging and risers breaking. I also would not knowingly put my freinds and loved ones who jump Reflex/ Catapult systems in a situation that would harm them, to imply otherwise borders on character assination. I will not take that route. regards Mick.

Wow, Where to start? Ok, Mr. Booth states that if the primary pilot chute hesitates and the Catapult begins lifting the free bag out of the pack tray the primary (spring loaded) pilot chute could somehow lock the free bag if it can get to the lines. I'm not seeing this because in all of the scenarios that were ground tested we could never get a bag to stay closed, sure we had bridle passing through lines, around lines and risers but in each case the canopy came out of the bag and the lines could expand to allow for inflation. Due to the placement of the Catapult at 1/3 the distance from the bag relative to the primary pilot chute there is always a differential pressure exerted on the bridle. The equilibrium of two pilot chutes pulling at the same time that is often spoken of just isn't there. The significant differences between the catapult and Vortex systems are secondary pilot chute placement and how it's attached. The Vortex had the secondary pilot chute somewhere around the mid point of the bridle and the bridle ran right up through the center of that pilot chute. This configuration allows for relative parity in initial pull forces if both pilot chutes are out at the same time. However when the second pilot chute reaches the point that the bridle starts to up end it, it becomes useless and that's where the problems start. At this point you have a deploying free bag that's just hovering, not a good situation. The catapult by contrast has its attachment point at its base, this allows for positive pressure to be kept on the bag until line stretch regardless of bridle proximity. The next time anyone has a Reflex with a Catapult installed try the scenario Mr. Booth describes on the ground, you'll see what I'm talking about. I'm not in the industry anymore and have no financial stake in either the Reflex or Catapult systems so one can see I'm not "touting my product". I suggest that anyone who has doubts about this subject try it on the ground. The math and physics don't lie. The Catapult has not killed anyone but has had four or five saves that I know of. I could have changed the outcome of several fatalities involving ring sights/ reserve pilot chutes that have occurred over the last few years. I designed this system because I believe in it and those of you that know me understand I'm not some misguided idealist or moron who doesn't know what he is talking about. If anyone wishes to contact me privately I can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks for your time and interest in this subject. Mick Cottle (you know the rest).

Hey JP, (sudden thought) you follow all of this stuff closely, mind providing a few links for the people to follow? Also GIVE ME INSTRUCTONS to attach hyperlinks. Thanks. Mick (sorry for yelling). Oh boy, here we go again!! I just came home from a VERY long day at work, had a couple of cocktails and read this thread. I'll gather my thoughts in the next day or so and try (again) to give a detailed and informative rendering of this subject. If anyone want's a one on one I can be reached @ . Sorry for the delay. Mick Cottle.(blah, blah, blah, etc) (you know the tag line).

Oh boy, here we go again!! I just came home from a VERY long day at work, had a couple of cocktails and read this thread. I'll gather my thoughts in the next day or so and try (again) to give a detailed and informative rendering of this subject. If anyone want's a one on one I can be reached @ . Sorry for the delay. Mick Cottle.(blah, blah, blah, etc) (you know the tag line).

It looks like one of the turnbacks is upside down. It's not right get it fixed, it'll take 10 mins to unpick and 2 mins to restitch. Mick.

Not sure if this is in response to my question... but it's not really helping! I think it was meant to be a joke. See a previous thread. (can someone show me how to paste a hyperlink here?) Mick.

They take a little more finessing than some other types of rigs, but I've packed hundreds of them hell I even owned a couple (and some home built knock offs). My preference is for a Reflex but then again I'm biased. Mick.

ALL of the reserves I have packed/ used/ tested have been flat packed. About 3500 last count. And to the best of my knowledge they have ALL worked just fine. I'll go with what I'm comfortable with and every rigger should go with what they are comfortable with too. that's what it's all about. Mick.

You know a box x or even a really really tiny 3 point stitch pattern should be more than sufficent for this purpose. if your hearts set on a bartack and your machine has replacable cams or different stitch styles built in, try using a very tight 308 zig zag it's way stronger than a bartack. Mick.

Ok, I'll play devils advocate here: What about the hybrid (ZP/ F111) reserves out there, any issues? Just curious. Mick.

This wouldn't be the lawsuit I was also involved in would it? Mick.

Soft housings were just that, a fashion statement. It was not new technology, it did not improve anything. If it does not improve function or safety why do it? HA HA HA HA now that's funny!!!!!!!! It's ALL about fashion!!!!!!!!! Always has been...... always will be (to somebody) Mick. ) Sparky

Why, thank you. I'll be out again soon, bringing more 1st jump students with me. Mick.

About twelve years ago I had a similar problem. It almost cost me my life, I got stopped around 400-500' @ terminal. It's a very disconcerting feeling looking at the point on the ground you are going to slam in to any second. It all started off when we dropped off our level one around 5500'. It was my 12th or 13th AFF jump of the day (long summer day @ Perris) and I was pretty tired. As soon as our boy hit line stretch I reached back and gave the ol' pull out a tug, it wasn't a hard pull to pop the pin but it turned in to one. Seems that I had inadvertently stuffed the main pilot chute under the bottom flap on my very small (read tight) container. Well, being as tired as I was I didn't have a very strong grip on the handle. Guess what ? The damn thing slipped from my grip and I couldn't grab it or the bridle ( small container out of my normal range of motion). I thought about it for a second and decided to dump my reserve with no cut away (figuring I could grab it before It got out). At about 4000' I pulled the reserve ripcord and waited………And waited ……..and waited. Now I knew all about temporal distortion and the like, but this was getting ridicules. When I looked over my right shoulder I was met by my reserve bridle slapping me (mocking me really) in the face. Quick thought flashes through my head; NOT GOOD!!! Now I'm a little worried. Two open containers and nothing out (except two bridles, which are difficult to land successfully). I revert back to my old belly mount/ Capewell procedures as I'm about out of options. I start beating the crap out of my containers with my elbows. After what seems like an eternity (it damn near was) I feel an opening shock. I look up expecting to see my reserve and what do I see??????? My main!! With my still bagged reserve attached by it's bridle/ pilot chute to my mains bridle/ pilot chute and swinging around towards me trailing lines. A little freaked I sense the danger of the situation and manage to grab the still bagged reserve and hold it between my knees. I reach up, release my brakes, turn left 90 deg and flare. Wow, what the f***k just happened? Good question. When I was towing my main bridle it formed a loop back on itself. When I pulled my reserve the reserve pilot chute (old vector style) stood up and fell over toward the main container. It lifted off on its side right through the main bridle loop and half hitched itself. Now I was towing two bridles. The elbow beating dislodged the bridle jam and started the main pilot chute on its way, which in turn deployed the main canopy. Had I cut away I would not be writing this today. I would have run out of room. This little incident prompted me to design the Catapult system. Had it been installed I would have been under canopy around 3500' or 3000' feet higher than I ended up. As for cutting away or not, that's a tough call and each individual has to make that call as the situation calls for it. BTW. My qualifications at the time: around 4500 jumps, 13 years in the sport 1500 AFF jumps, master rigger and amateur equipment designer. Mick.

WD40 Then wipe clean. Mick.

You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Lets rephrase that, if you were going to a new one today which would you choose, the original Swift, 189 sq. ft., or a PD-176r. I know if it was me I would pick the Swift. Sparky (does that make me not swift?) Both are good reserves. Go with what you are comfortable with. Mick.

You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick. Oh I forgot to add, brace yourself for a terminal opening it's ...........quick............ow. Mick.

You betcha, still have one active today. It's a good solid life saver. Mick.