Container Identification

[Draggyn 0]

Here's the deal, Got this container and extras, minus the squares, from a very close friend of mine. He no longer jumps and passed his gear to me. I am planning on learning to skydive but due to the age of the rig I would not trust it at this time. I had it looked at by the manufacturer in Dallas, The Adventure Loft and at that time they deemed it airworthy, however I am not 100% sure I would trust my life to it unless someone local to me could inspect it and assure me of it being airworthy. That being said I am looking to see if anyone out there might recognize the container model ? What might fit it, main and reserve ? Unfortunately it appears the pics are too big to place here, so see my pics as the front and back are there.

[PhreeZone 20]

The only Adventure loft container I'm aware of is the Briefcase, it was manufactured in the early 80's. Honestly... its probably not worth trying to jump it since made with many current items like Three Rings, and throw out pilot chutes it was not designed to be compatible with the current generation of Automatic Activation Devices so you could not use it for any of your student jumps.

Its a 2 pin set up for the reserve and ROL throw out for the main.

To convert it for modern jumping you'd need to have it retrofitted for a CYPRES AAD, you'd need it converted from an ROL to a BOC, and you'd need to find packing instructions for it since few riggers have older manuals like this one around. Further depending on when the container was made and last jumped it might have a few really old Service Bulletins or Airworthness Directives that apply to it, I'd look at AD 84-06-05 -

84-06-05 PARACHUTE HARNESSES MANUFACTURED UNDER TSO-C23B: Amendment 39-4839. Applies to all of the following manufacturer's parachute harnesses using the 3-Ring Inc. release system.
ompliance: Required prior to next jump, unless already accomplished.

To prevent possible fouling of a reserve parachute canopy by a main canopy which cannot be separated from the harness, accomplish the following:

(a) Visually inspect the harness to determine whether or not it incorporates a 3-Ring Inc. release system, and if incorporated, whether or not the large ring of this assembly is identified by either Part Number RW-1-82 or RW-1-83.

(b) If either finding of the inspection in paragraph (a) is negative, no further action is required.

(c) If both findings of the inspection in paragraph (a) are positive, replace or test the large rings in accordance with 3-Ring Safety Bulletin No. 3 dated February 15, 1984.

(1) Replace defective rings or identify acceptable rings in accordance with the instructions in this bulletin.

(d) Replacement and testing of the large rings must be accomplished by an FAA certified Parachute Rigger, an FAA certificated Parachute Loft or the manufacturer of the parachute harness involved.

(e) An equivalent means of compliance with this AD may be used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1075 Inner Loop Road, College Park, Georgia 30337.

This amendment becomes effective on April 9, 1984.



Looking at the size that is described it says it fits "most square reserves" that were out at that time.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Draggyn 0]

It does say that it was made in 84, blue is the main color, red center and white striping. Has 3 ring releases on the risers, was converted from a ripcord main to throw out, I still have the original ripcord. Has a single handle cutaway and res deployment system, I think called SOS ? I have the original main pilot chute w/ spring, res pilot chute w/ spring, both dbags too.

[RiggerLee 61]

84 means that it must be a breafcase. John also built the Presteage. The guy you need to talk to is John Stanford. He's still liveing in Carrolton. He quit jumping a couple of years ago but his wife still jumps there at skydive dallas. I'll try and find his number tomarrow. You can also try John Storie, Storie parachute works, the vested interest. He bought the other John out.
They were solid rigs for there time but they are getting old. You could probbable look around and find something a little newer.

Lee

Lee

Lee
lee@velocitysportswear.com
www.velocitysportswear.com

[Draggyn 0]

I would appreciate it however I am in the Austin, RR are these days and would prefer someone local as driving 3 hours to have it inspected each way is a long way. I was considering taking it to either skydive Temple or San Marcos to be honest but I am sure that would look rather odd showing up with just a container, not to mention its age, someone is going to get a good laugh. Just curious if this is airworthy, if it is inspected and could be used what would be the disadvantages of using it ? My thing is free is of course free, and well I am on a bit of a budget. Now I dont want anyone to get the wrong idea here I truly dont want to skimp on this kind of thing LOL, it is my life I am talking about here. So if this is truly a bad idea then it will most assuredly be abandoned.

[PhreeZone 20]

For your student jumps its highly unlikely that you would be allowed to use it anyways with out some expensive modifications. Containers of that age are only worth $100-200 if you can even find someone to buy them.You are going to be looking at spending that much in modifications to be able to use it anyways not to mention the issues in finding spare parts for it if you happen to lose the freebag and reserve pilot chute during a cutaway.

Further I'm not sure that the Briefcase was ever tested or certified to be used with a CYPRES style AAD so you'd need to contact the manufactor to see if that is a permitted modification or not. If not then your options for an AAD really go down and you have to use a pin puller style that has been out of fashion for 15 years or so and that increases the complications of finding a rigger to work on it since they need to have test chambers to certify the AAD every year and outside the factory few people have these.

You can get a mid 90's Javelin container for $400 or less that is already modern AAD ready and spare parts are still being manufactured for if you want to do it on a budget.

Your student jump cost includes the cost of rental of the parachute already from the dropzone, and until they see how much you weigh and how well you are doing at your landings you might find that this container holds parachutes that are too small or too large for their recommendations for your own gear. If its too small they usually will not let you jump it since the increased risk of injury.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Draggyn 0]

Yea I have been hearing this same sort of thing, unfortunately. I would loved to have jumped this just once and had video that I could send to my friend but as this becomes the case this appears to be almost impossible. I do realize it is a safety precaution and I appreciate the advice greatly believe me the last thing I was is to induce more issues than necessary. Thank you to all that have replied.
This was my first post here and I want to say thanks for the welcome and not treating me like a n00b. This goes to show the quality of people here.

[masterrigger1 2]

Quote

Further I'm not sure that the Briefcase was ever tested or certified to be used with a CYPRES style AAD so you'd need to contact the manufactor to see if that is a permitted modification or not. If not then your options for an AAD really go down and you have to use a pin puller style that has been out of fashion for 15 years or so

Eric,

Mostly a moot point, but that is not the case here.

A modifcation (AAD Installation) can be done without the manufacturer's approval simply by submitting a request to the FAA.

Once the FAA returns the approval, the work can be completed and is legal to jump.

There are just a few lofts that do this kind of work, but only a few.


Just pointing out the process for field approvals....


But like you stated, the mods will probably cost more than buying a used, ready to jump H/C.

Cheers,
MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com