Reserve Make and Models Database

[tdog 0]

I am putting together a database of reserves... Long story.

But I am having a hard time finding all the size/models of canopies no longer made. For an example, I went to Precision's website to find info on the Raven, Super Raven, Raven Dash M, etc... Very little data....

Anyone have a spreadsheet or list they can send me or post here of every model and size made of the popular and less popular but still seen in use canopies???

FYI - I have PD's & Aerodyne info, they actually post all this info on their website and are still in business.

[JohnRich 4]

For each type made, they came in five to ten different sizes, so that's going to be a lot of entries.
Have you looked in old Para-Gear catalogs?

[tdog 0]

Quote

For each type made, they came in five to ten different sizes, so that's going to be a lot of entries.
Have you looked in old Para-Gear catalogs?

You would assume I keep old paragear catalogs... hehehe

I know its gonna be a lot of entries. For the Aerodyne + PD, I am up to 50 or so on a spreadsheet... If I know the sizes and model name, using formulas with concatenation with "paste values" and "fill down" in excel makes building a series very easy... It's just finding the old orderforms/manual/wingloading charts I need.

But, to inspire people to help with this task, don't forget what JFK Said:

Quote

We choose to build good databases. We choose to build good databases. in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

[councilman24 37]

If there is an original Raven, pre super raven, take it out of the air. Sorry George but bikini's belong on women, not parachutes.

You know, not even Precisions 1992 manual has the sizes in it. It has a lot of good information about choosing the right size, and states above 0.97 WL as too high, but not the sizes.

I do have most of the paragear catalogs from 1980 on. One of my best references. Don't have time today to scan what you need. Sorry. If you don't get it in a few days let me know.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerrob 643]

Let's see how much I can remember about Ravens????

Ravens were first introduced circa 1984. They were the first line of canopies offered in different sizes. The original goal was to allow members of Canopy Formation teams to wear different sizes of Ravens to match their weight and have all team members descending at the same rate. Ergo, Ravens are one of the few reserves manufactured with bridle attachments.
The first batch of Ravens included four sizes: Raven 1 (180-ish square feet), Raven II (218), Raven III (249) and Raven IV (282). They were made of 0-3 cfm fabric with Dacron suspension lines.
Since the first batch of Ravens opened too slowly, most of them were retrofitted with bikini sliders and became "Raven-B."
Raven-C were - with high aspect ratio sliders - were rare.
Super Raven-D was the first major redesign (by Cliff Dobson).
Raven-E, F, G and H included minor changes including Spectra suspension line.
Precision introduced Micro Ravens (120, 135 and 150) in the late 1980s. For many years, Raven 120 was the smallest reserve available. Though only intended for 100 pound Japanese women, hundreds of Raven 120s were bought by stupid, fat, white men.

Circa 1996, Precision announced the Raven-M series with span-wise bottom skin seams and a 109 size. Raven-M was also the only version built without Type 1 webbing for line attachment loops. A couple of accidents forced Precision to issue Service Bulletin requiring extra bar-tacks on line attachment loops ... or if the reserve was returned to Precision ... installation of Type 1 webbing line attachment loops.
Raven-MZ was also the only reserve ever offered with a zero porosity top skin.
By the turn of the century, Precision realized that the Raven's airfoil section was out-dated (because it could not handle wing-loadings exceeding 1.3) and introduced the completely new RMax reserve.

[ChrisClark 0]

The Dan Poynter books have some detailed information on older equipment. If you have trouble locating copies let me know.

[likestojump 3]

You are an excellent source of info Rob.

What about the very rare Ravens (I have seen two) with Kevlar lines ?