chuckakers

Think less, fly more, and have your emergency procedures down to an absolute science at all times. BTW, getting off your belly is fun once you do it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Out of curiosity, are you aware of any modern reserve failures that were attributed to age? Also, are you aware of any manufacturers that have gone through the process of seeking an AD to ground old reserves? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Have you had a gear check? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Peanut was a truly awesome person. He was a quiet, unassuming gentleman and a top-notch skydiver. I was honored to have him as a friend for the past quarter century and will remember him dearly as a person who always walked the walk. Peanut was one of the guys. See you on the other side, buddy. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Risers are one of the most contracted-out parts of a modern rig. In first place is the main pilot chute. Jerry Baumchen The contractors you refer to produce risers to the manufacturers specifications and fall under those manufacturer's QC scrutiny. And yet, the risers on my brand new V3 had the Louie loops sewn on backwards, so even the manufacturer makes mistakes. I wasn't really talking about mistakes. I'm thinking more about people who don't fully understand - or even consider - how tight the tolerances are in things like the design of the 3-rings, grommet placement, etc. Let's face it, there are more than a few people out there doing things their own way without sufficient R&D. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Risers are one of the most contracted-out parts of a modern rig. In first place is the main pilot chute. Jerry Baumchen The contractors you refer to produce risers to the manufacturers specifications and fall under those manufacturer's QC scrutiny. There are also independent manufacturers that have no connection to any manufacturer that produce risers that do not necessarily meet any particular manufacturer's specs. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Be careful considering risers not built by a manufacturer. The tolerances in the 3-ring system (ring angles, proper loading, etc.) are quite tight in avoiding hard or impossible cutaway forces and while I'm sure there are aftermarket shops that do a fine job, I tend to put my faith in the same folks who designed and built the original. Additionally, risers made by an aftermarket operation may look identical to OEM, but there can be small, unnoticeable differences that might affect strength, especially over the long haul which a budget buyer is most likely put them through. Given the cost of a reserve I&R, a set of budget risers could cost more than new in the end. I think you're better off just buying a set of OEM used risers. Start by contacting the manufacturer of the rig and ask if they have an airworthy used set they will sell you. You would be surprised how many good components manufacturers have that they can provide. Beyond that, visit any rigging loft. You will find that there are loads of perfectly airworthy components lying around for sale. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I assume your comments are just intended to take a jab at USPA since the organization has nothing to do with immigration law or enforcement. BTW, if you are witnessing TI's busting the new tandem BSR's or any other BSR busts and are concerned about it, why not voice your concerns to the S&TA and/or the Regional Director? Not saying you are doing this but as I see it, if a person knows of true busts and talks crap about a lack of enforcement without reporting it, they are part pf the problem. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

As stated in my reply to your previous post, the premature deployment was not an AAD misfire. It was the guy's main. His leg strap mounted pilot chute crawled out. As for the story about the AAD being turned off in the plane because of a calibration issue, take that with a grain of salt. Tom was very old school. He never jumped with a helmet or shoes and word on the DZ was that he never turned the thing on. FWIW, I have never heard first-hand info on it either way. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

The premature deployment was not an AAD misfire. It was the guy's main. His leg strap mounted pilot chute crawled out. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I have a young skydiving friend that just got stationed in South Korea and wants to jump. She said Skydive South Korea is close enough for her to visit. She has less than 100 jumps and would need to rent gear so she wants to know that the place is safe. Can anyone recommend the place or anywhere else in South Korea? Thanks! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That doesn't say the riser will release if the reserve is deployed. It says the second riser will be released if the first one is released to keep the reserve from deploying into a still-connected main. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Bill, that doesn't sound correct. I was under the impression that deploying the reserve on a MARD system will only launch the reserve pilot chute and nothing else. If what you say is true I'd say that's a pretty big negative for MARDs. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Straw man arguments at best. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Yes. While I know there is a possibility of "bouncing" the idea does not sit well with me so I'm going to minimize the possibility as much as possible. ***Do you believe they should be mandatory? Why or why not? No. I would not like to see AAD use made mandatory by legislation or USPA requirement/directive. I think the DZO is capable of establishing the local safety measures. At the individual level, skydivers should be given that choice, after all they are taking the individual risk. I also jump with an RSL but again, that is a personal choice. I love you local policy stance. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Hey Chuck, I just looked back through this thread. Here's the first attack including the word "Asshole": ***Iyosha #57: "You cannot believe you're not being an asshole if there are people you care about in this world and you don't do everything you can to be safe." Scanning through the posts reveals insulting & nonsensical arguments, confrontational/holier-than-thou accusations, heavy ethnocentric & personal biases, & an overall adversarial approach by a vocal minority within the Pro-AAD camp. Most of the worst comments were so far out there that no one bothered replying to them, directly. I respectfully suggest that you reread the thread. You will find a pattern of antagonism, but it's from the other side. Berating people as if they were children, using disingenuous arguments, insulting people's morality & ethics, profane name-calling... All of those actions will get your butt kicked if done in-person. I think a couple of people here hiding behind their keyboards know that. Respect is a two-way street. A number of other pro-AAD posters have respectfully stated their opinions. Grimmie's posts come to mind, here. I've no problem w/that, & would be happy to sit back at the end of the jump day discussing it w/him. However, I won't be repeatedly attacked & insulted by others without responding. Sadly, the devolution of almost any meaningful debate is part & parcel of the Dizzy.com forums. It's why I rarely post. I'm not sure a lengthy, civil debate is possible, here. It was a good idea for a topic, Chuck. I thank you for making the effort. We can split hairs over how many berating, rude, ugly, disparaging, insulting, and demeaning remarks have been made by people on both sides, how many people actually made them, how many times the same person repeated them, and on and on, but it just demonstrates that it's coming from both sides and it's ridiculous. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That's what Tom Piras said. Bullshit, Tom Piras never said that. You do your arguement no good by making shit up. Sarcasm, my friend. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not choosing sides on the debate, but to be fair there have been people with arguments pro and con that have been trying to impose their views on others. first off -- not really sure now who I'm replying to - seems the quotes are all mixed up now. but... I've never seen a post where someone against mandatory aad's has said someone else should not wear one. It's always been that they don't think someone else should be telling them they HAVE to wear one. Or am I wrong on that. So who is saying you can wear one if you want but I won't imposing their view on someone else... I didn't say they were trying to get people not to wear them. I guess I should have been more clear. What I'm talking about are some in the anti AAD crowd being demeaning to the pro AAD folks, some implying that they aren't "real" skydivers if they use an AAD and others referring to them as assholes if they believe in mandatory use. I'm a do-you-own-thing guy, but I believe in respecting everyone's opinion and it seems some who don't want mandatory use don't have that same respect. It's one thing to disagree. It's quite another to be a jerk about it. I started this thread so we could discuss the merits of using or not using AAD's. I don't think we need the insults. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Since we typically get what we pay for that's kind of a scary thought. I am one of those people (although I added a brand new AAD to my rig before I jumped it) my cheap rig is a javelin container with a triathlon with around 500 jumps and a Super Raven all manufactured in 1999 and the previous owner was a master rigger. I am not scared of my rig at all but I feel like I did get a good deal on it. I went the cheap route so I could afford an AAD but my point is there is "cheap" gear that is safe. but I am a newb so I could be wrong You're not wrong. Old, inexpensive gear isn't necessarily dangerous. It's just that sometimes it is and that is scary. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

So what happens if you have a mal and count too slowly? I suppose counting is one way of maintaining temporal awareness but I wonder if it might also serve to slow down your reaction time since counting is a conscious process requiring at least a small part of your brain power while under extreme stress in the case of a mal. I tend to use pattern recognition. I know what normal is, so when things go down differently it stands out like a sore thumb. Things like a weak pilot chute launch, a longer than normal snivel, and the onset of a turn all grab my attention during deployment and cause me to go into "get ready" mode. Given the short amount of time between deployment and the need to chop a mal, I personally think just having that time frame stamped into your brain is the best bet. You can also use the "three oh shit" rule. After the "normal" amount of time passes and you still don't have a good canopy, try to clear it for no more than the time it takes to yell "OH SHIT" 3 times and then go to EP's. It's kind of the same thing as counting but much more entertaining. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not choosing sides on the debate, but to be fair there have been people with arguments pro and con that have been trying to impose their views on others. I got misquoted Fixed it for you. I don't think shortening the comment changed the meaning. If so I apologize. It's a direct copy and paste now. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Since we typically get what we pay for that's kind of a scary thought. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not choosing sides on the debate, but to be fair there have been people with arguments pro and con that have been trying to impose their views on others. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I've had this conversation countless times. I won't offer an opinion on mandates, but I do believe the company that develops the first truly protective (DOT?) helmet that accommodates the needs of the skydiving environment will own the market. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Maybe because in one case you are talking about an activity and in the other you are talking about a safety device. The two are not analogous. Much like big-ways, angle flying, CReW (which you know more about than just about anyone), and a variety of other disciplines, our choice of activities comes with certain risks and we do not want our activities of choice banned just because they come with those risks. If we were ok with that we would all be doing solos and jumping the lightest of light wing loadings - or not jumping at all. Instead we collectively accept the concept of mitigating risk through training, education, and judgement. History tells us this concept works when applied properly. On the AAD side of the house, you are talking about a device that will (presumably) protect us while we participate in (most of) our activities of choice. The AAD is a device that has a demonstrated record of saving many times more jumpers than killing them or even creating non-lethal problematic results. AAD's are part - maybe the most applicable part - of the risk mitigation that we seek in conducting our activities of choice. I do not believe in mandated AAD use, nor do I believe swooping or high wing loadings should be banned. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with you. I am just answering your question as I see it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX