Ronaldo

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Removed the old velcro today that used to go to the leg pocket with my wifes seam ripper it was pretty easy. Thanks for the tip fellas!

Feels good, doesn´t it?

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As far as packing I guess if I decide to downsize a 188 Pilot will fit great

That´s a positive way to see things

Check if the bag is filling the container (no empty spaces) and that it lays flat on the tray once the bottom and top flaps are closed (when you’re pulling the closing loop). One trick I use is to place the bag slightly tilted up and then I pull the bottom flap until the grommet side of the bag is pressing against the reserve container (see sketch attached). If the rig still looks pregnant give Jump Shack a call.

You may do it yourself using a seam ripper and a little patience. Start removing the seams on top of the Velcro strap. Once you have removed a few stitches you can lift the Velcro strap and start cutting the lines between the Velcro and flap (much faster). Once you reach the junction between the side flap and the lateral strap you’ll have to carefully cut the Velcro (because it is usually sewn behind the backpad). If you don’t feel comfortable doing or if you have doubts in the middle of the process take it to a rigger.
Blue skies!

How are you placing the bag in the main tray? Line stows against reserve container, BOC or back pad? According to the owner’s manual you should place the line stows against the BOC (although many people have packed different ways without issues).
May I suggest one thing out of this topic? Remove the Velcro from the old ROL deployment system, it is useless and will damage lines, fabric and almost anything that comes in contact with it.
Safe skies

Ronaldo

Have someone to video your landings (at least a few of them) and show it to a experienced canopy pilot.
He may conclude that it is just a technique issue or even that you need to readjust your brake line length. If the brake lines are too long (or you have short arms) you may not be able to use maximum flare power.

Check this link:
http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=286&Itemid=240
It is the owners manual, there you can find square footage for all Raven sizes.
The website btw is really cool, you can find almost everything regarding parachuting technical documentation.

Worst, he turned the AAD on and the message CTRL ERR appeared on the screen. He repeated the process and it appeared again. On the third try the Vigil started normally then he jumped it and had the misfire. Here follows the manufacturer’s reply:

Ø VIGIL #10664:
After having received the info and analyzed the graphs, the first thing we
want to remind is:
If someone has a ³CTRL ERR² message on screen, they should contact us or
their dealer to inform that there is a problem (see page 14 of our User¹s
Manual VII.0.1).
This could have avoided to continue to jump with this unit, because a ³CTRL
ERR² message means that there is a technical problem in the unit.

On the unit, we stated that one of the 6 connections (solder points) between
the pressure sensor and the PCB (printed circuit board) was not always
giving contact (we call this Œcold solder point¹).
This is a kind of defect which is very difficult to find, because it is very
rare. It cannot always be detected during all the test procedures we do on
each Vigil that comes out of production.

We want to remind you that all the controls the Vigil does when you start it
up, will show you if something is wrong (as it did in this case by giving
the ³CTRL ERR 3² message twice).

CONCLUSION:
This unit didn¹t work correctly due to this technical defect and not due to
any other reason.

REMARK:
This solder point is not accessible to be repaired. That is why we also
propose a new unit in replacement.
Please don¹t use a Vigil that gives an error message!


We hope to have answered your questions with this explanation.


It is in the owner’s manual, do not jump an unit that presents an error message.

Not a high speed landing so I'm not sure it will help. This happend in Brazil.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDUPAkuWP4Y

For this price check the Sony HC-52 and 62 mini DV cameras.
As Phree said make sure he has more than 200 jumps. Anyway, if he's coming back after a long period it is wiser to jump without any camera for a while.
A gift card for a skydive dealer may be better choice (he can pick whatever he wants).
Good luck

But then you’ve taken of all the pleasure of doing it yourself. Not to mention that you end up with a unique design, nothing beats this feeling.

Thanks, I understand your thinking, we always tend to chose methods with which we are more familiar.
Anyway, fiberglass (not carbon fiber) is really easy to work with and also inexpensive. If you have some time search at youtube.com for videos on how to work with it, you may change your mind.
I already made a thread about it a while ago:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2144358;search_string=home%20made%20helmet;#2144358
I`m about to order a CX100 too and I will definitely make a new helmet and box. I’ll post the pictures as soon as I finish it.
Good luck and have fun doing the cage

Have you already considered a fiberglass box? I think it will protect your camera much more from Impact, wind and even humidity. You just need to make a pattern with balsa (or any other easy to work material) and then a master mould to produce your box. Hinge the box, drill all the holes you need and paint.
Check how I made my camera helmet and the flat top base for it later, this may give you some ideas:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ronaldo.nogueira/CapaceteFreeFly#
Safe skies
Ronaldo

I had the same concern when I installed my Vigil II in my Wings. I didn't like the way the cable had to be curved to go inside the pocket.
If you have a chance please post a picture of the instalation with the new pocket
Safe skies

I'm not a rigger either but the risers look good to me. Actually, they look really good for a Vector 2. You may cut the excess carefully with scissors and finish the edges with a lighter as mentioned just to make them look better (under you rigger’s supervision, please). By the pictures I would say your risers have very few jumps (they were only mistreated by the Velcro). I doubt you rigger will discard them but let him have a look.
Good jumps

Do flash type cameras like CX100 and CX105 work well with freeflying? I really liked them! They’re both small and lightweight! The price is almost the same as the used HC3.
Guess I'll have to buy a laptop and take it to the DZ Thank you all for the answers they were very helpful. Unfortunately my doubt will now be between the HC3 X CX100/105

Thanks DSE, so I can assume the HC-3 will be able to firewire video with other mini DV cameras (like PCs, HC, etc), right? This is my biggest concern. The IP-5 has firewire input/ output but does not communicate with other mini DVs.
I was afraid that SDXHD would be as incompatible as miniDV X microMV

Hi folks,
First of all I did read the FAQ and searched a little bit but I'd really appreciate your input on this. I've decided to get a new video camera but still have some doubts. I don't make a living with skydiving but I do very occasional AFF and tandem videos (usually for friends so I don't make any money of it). My current camera is an IP-5 (MicroMV) which has been working well since I bought it (used). The major problem I have with it is the fact that I can't firewire it with other (mini DV) cameras. Using AV connection, besides quality loss is a real pain and doesn't seem to work all the time (so I hardly get the chance to see me on video). I have the opportunity to buy a Sony HC-3 (used HD) but I'm not sure if it is the wisest choice so I'm also considering an HC62 (new SD). My main concerns are:
- I know this camera has firewire input/ output but can I exchange video with other SD mini DV cameras (HD quality would be lost, of course)? This is really important because it is the issue that bugs me most with the IP-5.
- I know also that this is a tape based camera so I'm assuming it is OK for freeflying, is it right?

I don't bother having to switch from side to top mount neither with finding a case for any of these cameras (I can make my own easily). Sure I would love to shoot HD videos but this is not something I will be using right now (I have 2 HD TVs but I don't have a blue ray recorder yet). The HC would suit me for now but I'm just afraid of going against the tendency again (like I did when I got the IP-5). The difference in price is considerable but I'm willing to make the investment if it is worth in the long time.
Thank you all
Ronaldo

The canopy and/or bag may be too big for the container or the loop may be too long. It’s not uncommon to see Racers packed as you described. What is main container size? For a 9 cell 170sqft I think you should have 400-475cubic inches. The Racer is one of the rigs that can accept the largest canopy size variations but won’t look as good in all of them.
It’s a very comfortable, lightweight and safe rig, especially if has tuck tabs instead of Velcro. Give it a chance to surprise you.
Have fun!

Is this gear new or just new to you (used)? If the PC is not new and the kill line is made of Microline it may have shrunk reducing its drag. If you already sent the PC to Mirage you won’t be able to check it but here goes a link with some reeeeally valuable information from the inventor himself:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=132976;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

The soft links I've been using since the reline were made using the sewless method. I was really scared at the beginning but after a few hundred jumps (checking periodically) they seem to be standing the job pretty well. I have also switched canopies a couple of times and they show no sign of slippage or abnormal wear. I will replace them within the next 100 jumps though.
Yes, you have to measure all lines under tension. This is really tricky specially when making cascades. The tension varies according to line material (check Dan Pointer's manual)

Ronaldo

He already did it. I can PM you the pictures or any other information you want.
Safe skies!

Ronaldo

You're right about the double lock but I believe it is not necessary if you leave enough line inserted (at least 3” as recommended). I have checked most of the lines after about 300 jumps and they showed no sign of change in length (line length was checked under tension with a scale). Of course it wouldn’t do any harm to do it, only double the work.
You’re also right about spreading out this information and the possible bad consequences. I will ask the moderator to remove the post or at least the pictures.
Safe skies

Ronaldo

I have already relined 4 parachutes with Jump Shack’s sewless fingertrap. One of them with cascaded lines (Vectran) and the other ones with continuos HMA. All steering lines were made with the same technique but different material (Dacron or Microline).
My Cobalt 150 has about 400 jumps with this line set. Opens and flies like a dream (all the others too).

I took this from Omega's owner’s manual and put it into a single pdf file. It should help you understand assembling and also how the system works.
You can simulate PC collapsing by pulling your cocked PC by its base (where the bridle meets the PC) until the canopy is out of the bag. You'll see the kill line pulling the center of the fabric until the security line is fully extended. You can repeat this as many times as you want with the canopy still out of the bag: step on the bag, cock the PC then step on the canopy and pull the PC at the junction with the bridle.

Hi, Check page 24 of this manual:
http://www.miragesys.com/media/manuals/G3ContainerManual.pdf
Assemble the system like shown, test it on the ground and have your rigger to inspect before you jump it again.
You won't be able to larks head the bridle to the canopy due to the small loop of the bridle but you can use the rapid link as you already did on pic 002 (or add an extension and remove the link later, check with your rigger).
Don't take it directly to your rigger without trying to assemble it, this is a valuable opportunity for you to get a better understanding about your own gear.
Safe skies

Ronaldo

Old baby (red & orange)
New baby (black & silver)
Got tired of all that brightness