slotperfect 7 #1 Posted April 19, 2004 Many questions are asked in this forum about skydiving gear, and there are many highly qualified folks who can provide excellent input. You may notice that most of them add the comment "contact the manufacturer." Reading all such posts here, I find that many folks would rather post their question in these forums instead of contacting the people who made the gear in the first place. Instead of scratching my head wondering why, I decided to stick this post at the top of the Gear and Rigging Forum hopefully making a few skydivers better informed. Did you know that there are a large number of Dropzone.com members that own or work for companies in the parachute industry? I have posted a list below of the ones I have been able to round up. Please, if you know of more that are dotcommers, let me know. I will continually edit this list to keep it as up-to-date as possible. In my experience with manufacturers, they are all very approachable and work very hard to answer my questions. Through my experience, I have some tips for those who want to ask them a question: -read the manual first. It might answer your question by itself. If not, you may only be calling the manufacturer for a clarification instead of a complete explanation. -read all related manuals. If the component is used in conjunction with another, read both to understand the full picture. -use email. I get better results with email because it can be forwarded to exactly the right person to answer my question, and the issue it contains can be addressed when that person is focused on it, rather than having a phone call interrupt them. -be clear and concise. Stay away from the "story" unless it is specifically relevant to your question. Focus on the specific issue. -use their manufacturer homepage email address. That address will give your question more visibility. Bear in mind that some manufacturer dotcommers will read their PMs, others may not. -provide as much information as possible: your full name, phone numbers, best time(s) to call, email address, the component serial number (SN), date of manufacture (DOM), and model. -just buy a used rig? Ask them to fax you the production sheet. It will provide you with much useful information such as when it was made, who it was sold to, all harness measurements, what canopies it was built for, and even clear up whether an unusual feature was incorporated during manufacture or during a later modification in the field. The list (updated 25 Jul 2013): Company - dropzone.com username - Real Name [UL] [LI]Aerodyne - sanzlk - Sandy Kimball[/LI] [LI]AeroSports USA - jerrybaumchen - Jerry Baumchen (Owner/Operator) [LI]Airtec GmbH - airtecjuergen - Juergen Sennert[/LI] [LI]Atair - cobaltdan - Dan Preston[/LI] [LI]Aviacom (Argus) - goorts - Karel Goorts [/LI] [LI]Aviacom (Argus) - trojanhorse - William van Heerden [/LI] [LI]Basik Air Concept - bkr - Jerome Bunker[/LI] [LI]Basik Air Concept USA Service Center - marinho - Gus Marinho[/LI] [LI]Big Air Sportz - briansgermain - Brian Germain [/LI] [LI]Birdman - jari - Jari Kuosma [/LI] [LI]Birdman USA Service Center - tso-d_chris - Chris Dembowski [/LI] [LI]Bonehead Composites - hottamaly - Linda Hardesty [/LI] [LI]Firebird - kimblair13 - Kim Reuter-Winslow[/LI] [LI]Firefly Suits - fireflyunltd - Sherry Jasnos[/LI] [LI]Flite Suit - skydance - Ray Ferrell[/LI] [LI]HiPer - lavielle - Pascal Lavielle [/LI] [LI]Hypoxic - trunk - Mark "Trunk" Kirschenbaum (Owner)[/LI] [LI]Icarus Canopies USA Sales - [LI]Jump Shack - nancyj - Nancy LaRiviere [/LI"> [LI]Jump Shack - sid - Peter Draper [/LI] [LI]Jump Shack - tmpattersonjr - Mike Patterson[/LI] [LI]Liquid Sky - YM4 - Julio Ruiz (Owner)[/LI] [LI]Lunatic Apparel - Jungstie-[/LI] [LI]Mirage Systems (Authorized Service Center) - chutingstar - Mike Gruwell[/LI] [LI]Mirage Systems - vidiot - Klaus Rheinwald[/LI] [LI]Paratec - fandango - Stefan Ertler[/LI] [LI]Paratec - speed2000 - John Cranston[/LI] [LI]Performance Designs - berchtoldaj - Al Berchtold[/LI] [LI]Performance Designs - isaiah85 - Isaiah McCauliffe[/LI] [LI]Performance Desgns - tomnoonan - Tom Noonan[/LI] [LI]Phoenix Fly - robibird - Robert Pecnik [/LI] [LI]Precision Aerodynamics - precision - George Galloway [/LI] [LI]Rawa Helmets - radirawa - Radir Macedo [/LI] [LI]Skylark - olga_inet - Olga Usanova[/LI] [LI]Strong - rinaldi524 - Mike Rinaldi (Sales Manager)[/LI] [LI]Sun Path - f1freak - Travis Flint[/LI] [LI]Sun Path - upndownshop - Jerry Schrimsher II[/LI] [LI]Sunrise Rigging - freeflajankie - Ankie Berry [/LI] [LI]Tony Suits - tony-tonysuits - Tony Uragallo[/LI] [LI]United Parachute Technologies - billbooth - Bill Booth [/LI] [LI]United Parachute Technologies - pablito - Pablo Perazzoli[/LI] [LI]Utility Aircraft Corp. (PAC 750XL) - skydance - Ray Ferrell[/LI] [LI]Velocity Sports Equipment - kellyf - Kelly Farrington [/LI] [LI]Vigil USA - vigilcandi - Candace Murchison-Procos[/LI] [LI]AAD (Vigil) - popovitch - Bronnec Yann [/LI] [LI]**Reflex H/C Information - riggermick - Mick Cottle (former VP of Fliteline Systems) [/LI] [LI]**Reflex H/C Info & Parts - skydance - Ray Ferrell[/LI] [/UL] Please reply to this thread only to provide me updates for the above list, or to provide your own feedback about personal interaction with particular manufacturers. That will help those who are shy about making contact feel more confident in doing so.Arrive Safely John 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USPA 0 #2 April 19, 2004 It would be nice though to post it on the forum also, or at least the answer you were given. This way we inform each other and keep each other educated.The trouble with skydiving; If you stink at it and continue to jump, you'll die. If you're good at it and continue to jump, you'll see a lot of friends die... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #3 April 19, 2004 I assume you mean a separate post: "I had this issue, I called XYZ Company, and they told me this." Great idea. We all learn that way.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redramdriver 0 #4 April 19, 2004 Sunrise Rigging (Wings) freeflajankie Ankie BerrySo, you bring your beer? Its 5 o'clock somewhere POPS #9344 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aubsmell 0 #5 April 20, 2004 Hey, thanks for posting this. Even though I don't post on the forums all the time, I actually really love getting questions from other skydivers. It is usually a welcome distraction, and it does a number of things: one, keeps me fresh on what is going on out there. Two, if someone asks me a question I don't know the answer to off hand, it gives me the opportunity to research it and learn something new. (I will be the first to say I don't know 80% of what people ask, but I usually know WHO to ask that does, this way I can get back to the person with the correct answer, or best answer possible if it is a subjective question) Three, it gives me a great excuse, if my boss walks in and I'm looking through Dropzone.com, I can say "No, no, no I'm not goofing off I'm working, look" It is true what he said about PM's though, I check those about once a week, but I have my business email up and running most everyday (for instance I'm sitting in a hotel room in south america as i type) all questions are welcome, but rember your third grade teacher was lying, there are stupid questions, so leave my '72 Pacer wagon out of this. a.easterlin@aerodyne-int.com"Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #6 April 23, 2004 Hi Guys, One clarification: to honor the forum rules about advertising, and the guidance from Sangiro on signature lines, I ask that we keep this list focused on manufacturers and not gear dealers. The intent of this post is to provide dotcommers with a contact list for seeking answers, problem solving, or educating themselves about particular items of skydiving equipment - straight from the source. Doubtless, there are gear dealers here that are highly knowledgeable and can provide sound advice as well. My intent is not to discount that knowledge at all. The list I posted, with a recent improvement by HH (thanks!), links directly to individuals that are in one form or another factory reps for skydiving gear manufacturers. I purposely did not link to the factory websites, since they can be found in the "Gear" section of this site, and I did not want to encroach upon the forum advertising boundary. Individuals that own or are employed by gear dealers that are factory reps in a more direct capacity than sales are absolutely welcome in the list. I will however list the manufacturer name and not the dealer name. Thanks,Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hottamaly 1 #7 May 24, 2004 Bonehead Composites Hottamaly Linda Hardesty Skydiving gave me a reason to live I'm not afraid of what I'll miss when I die...I'm afraid of what I'll miss as I live Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbrasher 1 #8 June 4, 2004 Rigging Innovations, Inc. Eloy Municipal Airport 4900 N. Tumbleweed Rd, Bldg. 1 P.O. Box 86 Eloy, AZ 85231 USA Phone: 520-466-2655 FAX: 520-466-2656 http://www.rigginginnovations.com/ Red, White and Blue Skies, John T. Brasher D-5166 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #9 June 24, 2004 Robert Pecnik, robibird, has left Birdman to form his own wingsuit company, Phoenix-Fly. Web Site: Phoenix-Fly Email: Robert@phoenix-fly.com As far as I know, DZ.com login info remains the same.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sysop 0 #10 July 20, 2004 I cannot find contacts of the manufacturer of gloves Neumann. Can at whom there is an address of a site or e-mail?www.speedflying.ru Mountian Fly School Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #11 July 21, 2004 Neumann Tackified Glove Company is a subsidiary of Adams USA in Cookeville, Tennessee, USA: Manufacturer's WebsiteArrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hurricane749 0 #12 August 6, 2004 I don't suppose you know of anyone who has worked on or can answer any questions about parachute de france gear? I realise that they don't deal in North America but I've managed to aquire a new line set for a PdF Merit 190 and the line lengths differ significantly in length from my exisiting lines. I've read a post stating that there may have been an upgrade but getteing info from the company is quite difficult. There is also only one mark on the end of the lines unlike the red and black mark on PD line sets. The lines are also numbered different from the normal ABCD 12345. If you can help me it would be greatly appreciated.[email] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dusm12 0 #13 August 16, 2004 I luv this forum, its like have a world of knowledge at your fingertips! and how surprisingly fast the response! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #14 August 27, 2004 I emailed relative workshop, mirage and Aerodyne for some questions I had about my rig I'm planning to buy. Only Aerodyne took the trouble to email me back (and very quick I my add). ps...I'm planning to buy an all Aerodyne rig now :) This is just a great place for info... _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #15 September 15, 2004 Added Stefan Ertler (fandango), from Paratec.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LyleP 0 #16 October 7, 2004 John; You can add LyleP to your list for Sun Path Products L8TR.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #17 October 27, 2004 Added Justin Thornton from Mirage Systems (JT-Mirage)Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #18 November 2, 2004 Removed Chris Martin (GroundZero) from the contact list. Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LiveLifeGoJump 0 #19 November 6, 2004 Anyone got a link to FCI (Flight Concept Int.), the manufactures of the Manta 280 student canopy? Get out, Land on a green bit. If you get the pull somewhere in between it would help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #20 November 6, 2004 http://www.flightconcepts.com/Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CATA 0 #21 November 12, 2004 To contact ICARUS Canopies, you can refer to http://www.icaruscanopies.aero/contact.htm Edited by slotperfect to update the URL to the new one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roginator 0 #22 November 17, 2004 Maybe you could also add Shorty PVInfo from www.Performance-Variable.com And Mick Cottle riggermick the designer of the "Reflex" container , former "Fliteline Systems" ~~~~~ Never too "High" ~~~~~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #23 December 1, 2004 Changed "nightjumper" entry; Mike is now working at CPS. Added "sid" who I am told is a good DZ.com point of contact for Jump Shack.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #24 January 27, 2005 Hi "Robibird" is now with Phoenix Fly (Wingsuits) and is no longer with Birdman. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #25 January 27, 2005 ***"Robibird" is now with Phoenix Fly (Wingsuits) and is no longer with Birdman. Quote Done,Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page 1 of 5 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 4 4