3331 137 #1 January 17, 2009 From the USPA web site. UPT Highly Recommends Retrofit (updated 01/15/09) United Parachute Technologies has released a Product Improvement Announcement aimed at all owners of the company’s Vector and Sigma harness and container systems that are equipped with a Collins lanyard and Skyhook reserve deployment device and an automatic activation device. The announcement states that UPT highly recommends that the two modifications be installed on all of their "Sigma Tandem and student systems by the next reserve pack job." The first modification involves the installation of a Reserve Staging Loop, which uses a bungee loop and a bight of the reserve bridle to ensure the reserve container flaps remain closed until the reserve bridle has reached nearly to its full extension. The second modification is the Split Reserve Static Line. The new Split RSL, while maintaining a single connection to the right main riser, isolates the Collins lanyard function from the other two RSL functions on the Skyhook system, thus making an inadvertent left side cutaway, for any reason, far less likely. These two modifications have been developed in response to a recent tandem accident that started with a low main deployment that caused the Cypres AAD to fire and deploy the reserve as the main was inflating. The company will send the retrofit kits for just the cost of the shipping. More information and installation instructions are available at www.uptvector.com Edited by slotperfect to add a link to the details, now available on the UPT website: http://www.unitedparachutetechnologies.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=160I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koppel 4 #2 January 18, 2009 please provide link to location on UPT website as I have done a thorough search of their site and am unable to locate the "Product Improvement Announcement" thanksI like my canopy... ...it lets me down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3331 137 #3 January 18, 2009 Call (386) 736-9444 or (386) 736-7589 and rage at them.I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koppel 4 #4 January 18, 2009 I'm Down Under mate. Sleeping while you good folk work up there on the wrong side of the planet I like my canopy... ...it lets me down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #5 January 18, 2009 I emailed them, mid day Friday, explaining I was a rigger and looked thru my log book and found I potentially had customers affected, asking for a link to their website or docs emailed to me with specifics... Nothing yet. Not at all impressed that it is not publicly available on their website the moment it is announced by the USPA. Rant over. If any of you get news, please PM or post to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 63 #6 January 18, 2009 QuoteUPT highly recommends that the two modifications be installed on all of their "Sigma Tandem and student systems by the next reserve pack job." WHY does this NOT apply to a sport Vector 3/Microns with Skyhook and Collins Lanyard? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BUBLHED 0 #7 January 18, 2009 UPT Highly Recommends Retrofit (updated 01/15/09) United Parachute Technologies has released a Product Improvement Announcement aimed at all owners of the company’s Vector and Sigma harness and container systems that are equipped with a Collins lanyard and Skyhook reserve deployment device and an automatic activation device. The announcement states that UPT highly recommends that the two modifications be installed on all of their "Sigma Tandem and student systems by the next reserve pack job." I think it does include all per the first half of the paragraph. I imagine that this is in response to the tandem incident and they just improperly worded the last sentence, above. I am curious to hear more from UPT and I also am dissapointed that we haven't already.ATTACK LIFE ! IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU ANYWAY!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #8 January 19, 2009 QuoteQuoteUPT highly recommends that the two modifications be installed on all of their "Sigma Tandem and student systems by the next reserve pack job." WHY does this NOT apply to a sport Vector 3/Microns with Skyhook and Collins Lanyard? We received a Micro Sigma with Skyhook and a Vector3 without a Skyhook over the past two weeks (new) from UPT. Both had the new mod installed, which essentially is a second grommet on the #1 reserve flap where a bungee hesitator loop is fed through (anchored at the second reserve closing loop grommet in the back plate and fed through the freebag alongside the closing loop). The Micro Sigma also had the new Collins lanyard addition, which is secondary piece of webbing/tape that splits off the main lanyard...and is where the cutaway cable now feeds through...it seems to give a bit more play/length in what it would take to cutaway the non RSL-side. The two rigs came with updated packing/info sheets. I don't have a copy at home now, but I'm sure UPT will have them posted tomorrow. If not, I can post them when I get into the shop. I didn't know they were recommending retrofits until the USPA note, but I guess we'll get the scoop on Monday. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divnswoop 0 #9 January 19, 2009 QuoteThe two rigs came with updated packing/info sheets. I don't have a copy at home now, but I'm sure UPT will have them posted tomorrow. If not, I can post them when I get into the shop. I didn't know they were recommending retrofits until the USPA note, but I guess we'll get the scoop on Monday. They are closed tomorrow, so don't expect anything until at least Tuesday. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #10 January 19, 2009 QuoteQuoteThe two rigs came with updated packing/info sheets. I don't have a copy at home now, but I'm sure UPT will have them posted tomorrow. If not, I can post them when I get into the shop. I didn't know they were recommending retrofits until the USPA note, but I guess we'll get the scoop on Monday. They are closed tomorrow, so don't expect anything until at least Tuesday. Well, I can at least scan and post the info/packing instructions tomorrow. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montecmedina 0 #11 January 19, 2009 Hey Mike, Looks like UPT will be closed on Monday. Is there anyway you could post a link to any information you have? Thank you Sir. I do appreciate it. Monte PS.....Don't know about you, I'm not real impressed with the way UPT is handling this. More like a lack of handling this. Not that my opinion means anything, but I will say something for myself and the behalf of my rigging team. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #12 January 19, 2009 QuoteWe received a Micro Sigma with Skyhook and a Vector3 without a Skyhook over the past two weeks (new) from UPT. Both had the new mod installed, which essentially is a second grommet on the #1 reserve flap where a bungee hesitator loop is fed through (anchored at the second reserve closing loop grommet in the back plate and fed through the freebag alongside the closing loop). I jumped the UPT "skyhook demo rig" last weekend... The one with two reserves. Real old rig with a lot of mods for all sorts of fun stuff I suppose. Upon packing, I asked the UPT guy, "what is that second grommet for." Response: "next question please." I assumed it was some super secret attachment point for the Bill Booth flux capacitor, the one that will save every skydiver's life, even the stupid ones... So we moved on and I did not say anything to anyone, especially on dorkzone.com. But now the secret is out... No flux capacitor, darn.... Interesting - so a rigger in the field will be asked, I wonder, to put in grommet into the rig to make the mod??? It seems funny that they did not publish all the data right away... Maybe their web guy was out for the week on vacation? They are a small company, so lets not assume the worst. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 63 #13 January 19, 2009 QuoteWe received a Micro Sigma with Skyhook and a Vector3 without a Skyhook over the past two weeks (new) from UPT. Both had the new mod installed, which essentially is a second grommet on the #1 reserve flap where a bungee hesitator loop is fed through (anchored at the second reserve closing loop grommet in the back plate and fed through the freebag alongside the closing loop). The Micro Sigma also had the new Collins lanyard addition, which is secondary piece of webbing/tape that splits off the main lanyard...and is where the cutaway cable now feeds through...it seems to give a bit more play/length in what it would take to cutaway the non RSL-side. Can you post some photos? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #14 January 19, 2009 QuoteQuoteWe received a Micro Sigma with Skyhook and a Vector3 without a Skyhook over the past two weeks (new) from UPT. Both had the new mod installed, which essentially is a second grommet on the #1 reserve flap where a bungee hesitator loop is fed through (anchored at the second reserve closing loop grommet in the back plate and fed through the freebag alongside the closing loop). The Micro Sigma also had the new Collins lanyard addition, which is secondary piece of webbing/tape that splits off the main lanyard...and is where the cutaway cable now feeds through...it seems to give a bit more play/length in what it would take to cutaway the non RSL-side. Can you post some photos? Here ya go...see the attachments. This is the paperwork that came from UPT with the two new rigs we assembled, inspected and packed last week. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos as we were packing them, so this is all I have for now. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montecmedina 0 #15 January 19, 2009 Thank you Mike. I do appreciate it. Monte Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #16 January 19, 2009 Any word on if non-student, non-tandem rigs need/should have this retrofit? The wording is kind of ambiguous. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #17 January 19, 2009 No problem. And there are some hand-written notes one of the riggers here made as he was trying to get the lengths to match the instructions on one of the pages that may help when you get these in. He found that making the staging loop 2" shorter than the overall stretched reserve closing loop resulted in the 1" difference needed when both loops were set in the respective grommets. Definitely more tools and a little more time to get everything set and routed properly. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #18 January 19, 2009 QuoteAny word on if non-student, non-tandem rigs need/should have this retrofit? The wording is kind of ambiguous. One of the rigs we got in was a Vector3 M-Series for a sport jumper without a Skyhook/RSL. This rig has the staging loop setup too. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #19 January 19, 2009 Is it just me or is the use of the locking loop and bridle on the reserve reminiscent of the way mains used to be secured in the pack tray when squares first came out?"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcbfly 1 #20 January 19, 2009 Mike, do I have this right? The 2" differential is measured before you thread the stretched Cypres loop thru it's washer, and that yields the required 1" diff once the loops fitted with their respective washers and installed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #21 January 20, 2009 Quote Mike, do I have this right? The 2" differential is measured before you thread the stretched Cypres loop thru it's washer, and that yields the required 1" diff once the loops fitted with their respective washers and installed. Yes. That's how it worked out for us. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fergs 0 #22 January 20, 2009 QuoteIs it just me or is the use of the locking loop and bridle on the reserve reminiscent of the way mains used to be secured in the pack tray when squares first came out? Scott, Nah. If my fading memory serves me correctly, we used a similar locking loop for the early square reserves - although it didn't go through the whole deployment bag. But it did go through a grommit on one of the inner flaps and we'd make a needle fold in the bridle. Had the same affect as this new UPT mod - ensuring the reserve bag stayed secured in the container til the bridle was all out and dragging. We stopped using the locking needle stow when reserve conmtainers bacame more shaped and held the bag in due to their snug "overlapping" design. Ciao, fergs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #23 January 20, 2009 QuoteQuoteIs it just me or is the use of the locking loop and bridle on the reserve reminiscent of the way mains used to be secured in the pack tray when squares first came out? Scott, Nah. If my fading memory serves me correctly, we used a similar locking loop for the early square reserves - although it didn't go through the whole deployment bag. But it did go through a grommit on one of the inner flaps and we'd make a needle fold in the bridle. Had the same affect as this new UPT mod - ensuring the reserve bag stayed secured in the container til the bridle was all out and dragging. We stopped using the locking needle stow when reserve conmtainers bacame more shaped and held the bag in due to their snug "overlapping" design. Ciao, fergs The one I am referring to was on the main and was a strap of webbing sewn to the center of the tray of the container which wrapped around the bag and held closed, retaining the bag, with a loop and grommet stow locked by the bridle. At any rate, it's interesting to see how some of the old ideas can become the new solutions to todays issues."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klingeme 1 #24 January 20, 2009 The information was sent to the USPA on Friday because containers shipping last week were shipping with the mod (and work instructions). They were informed that we would not have the work instructions posted until today however they failed to mention that in the announcement. Mark Klingelhoefer United Parachute Technologies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bliston 0 #25 January 20, 2009 Does anyone know if the retro fit kit requires a master rigger (I'm assuming to install a second grommet on flap 1 and doing the sewing on the RSL lanyard)? Or does the kit stage the reserve in a different way or using only the existing grommets? I'd call them but figure they're swamped with communication and thought someone here might know. Thanks, BenMass Defiance 4-wayFS website sticks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
