chuteless 1 #1 November 15, 2004 Is there anyone who is into rigging/sewing/etc, who would make a new Para-Commander out of prsent day materials. It would sure pack up small enough to fit in a small pocket sized container....and would likely be a real pleasure to fly. What do you think Popenhager??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark 107 #2 November 15, 2004 Do you mean F-111 instead of taffeta, or were there other material changes you had in mind also? Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratostar 5 #3 November 15, 2004 Check the pioneer web site, they already make one. We have one at SWC made out of f-111 ripstop all od green. It's a special op's canopy.you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #4 November 15, 2004 There was a light blue F-111 paracommander on my DZ back in the early 80's. Think they called it an RW PC. Never knew what happened to it. It was smaller but not that small compared to the stuff we're jumping know.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #5 November 15, 2004 The PC I had back in the 70's was made out of rip stop material (if I remember right). I bought it new. After about 300 jumps it had a lot of burn holes in it. Most of these burns happened in one hard opening jump. Not sure what caused this. I covered the burns with rip stop tape. I've heard of people even using duck tape. The para-commander I jumped a few months ago was made of a different newer material and it wasn't rip stop. I'll bet someone out there knows a whole lot more about this than me. I quit jumping, about 76, for a very long time.......Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 November 16, 2004 Quote There was a light blue F-111 paracommander on my DZ back in the early 80's. Think they called it an RW PC. Never knew what happened to it. It was smaller but not that small compared to the stuff we're jumping know. According to a friend that has one and jumps one (RW PC) it also has a shorter lineset then the original PC. It also lands like a bag of shit unless you're really lightweight.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #7 November 16, 2004 I didn't notice harder landings under the RW versions. Poynter's manual or some other reference might have mfg claimed descent rates.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 November 16, 2004 I'm just talking about what I've seen, so possibly the RW PC I've seen jumped has a few too many jumps on it...It was landed harder then the normal PC being jumped that day by the same person. Eitherway, I bow out to the others, since I'm talking about what I've listened to, read and seen, not what I've done.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #9 November 16, 2004 Oh.. I can verify it lands like shit Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,402 #10 November 16, 2004 http://www.pioneeraero.com/2-5_fre_fal.htmNobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #11 November 16, 2004 Quote it also has a shorter lineset then the original PC. Quote For semiserious accuracy, short lining was common. It quickened the canopy's response... For REAL SERIOUS accuracy... The crown lines could be shortened to the exact length of the suspension lines. That pulled the apex down another 12-18 inches. Made it react to toggle input even quicker and was more stable in deep sink...that means toggles most of the way down...coming in downwind! You had to really be dedicated to being an accuracy jumper because a canopy so configured not only landed hard but opened even harder! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #12 November 16, 2004 I was just thinking that to build a PC out of the very light/strong material they are now using to construct squares would be a neat chute, designed exactly like the old Mark I para-commanders were. It was a very good chute, good for accuracy, forward speed of 15 MPH, so a good stiff breeze helped for the standups. The PC was also very good for quick fast openings when veryclose to the ground, so thats a great benefit if you like low openings. Anyhow, it was just something to think about I also think a Para-Sled would also be great in today's materials, and with a slider. The Para-Sled was strictly a multi-line reefing system that sometimed worked, and sometime was a bone cruncher. However, the canopy was the best for flying, using a split tail , feartherlight toggle pressure. They were extremely heavy/bulky, even more so than the PC. I would forget retirement if I could jump either....with new materials etc......at least for a few jumps. Bill Cole D-41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #13 November 16, 2004 PC's.....SLEDS......shit boys you're showing your age......... If you could get a Sled to open you were a lucky boy....they were fine when open....but......fun to watch the spinning mals each weekend......probably would have been fine if the slider had been invented....the strato star killed them stone dead....even with the original reefing line rope... Why even go there???.... Best to leave those canopies in canopy heaven (or hell) where they belong..... I still have a P.C. snow white like the one in Skies Call 2 or 3......only 20 jumps on it....beautiful canopy.....might jump it again when I lose 40 pounds.......last time I did I had to put it in a student rig..... It was weird.....round main with a square reserve......My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark 107 #14 November 16, 2004 QuoteI still have a P.C. snow white like the one in Skies Call 2 or 3. Skies Call 3. It has a Papillon logo on the stabilizer. Same church, different pew. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sducoach 0 #15 November 29, 2004 Mark, As a back row Baptist I understand. Hey Bill, why didn't you say something while you were here. I've got two PC's in the attic!! Blues, J.E.James 4:8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #16 November 29, 2004 J.E. My foot wasnt in the best shape to use them...but it sure would be nice. Hope you and Brenda are well, God bless Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UDSkyJunkie 0 #17 November 30, 2004 QuoteOh.. I can verify it lands like shit Now now, you're not just bitter 'cause you crunched in under one and could barely walk for a couple days are ya? landed fine for me! yeah, yeah... you've got like 40 lbs on me. I'm just givin' you hell 'cause I can"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #18 November 30, 2004 I enjoyed the old fashioned one.. Why not give a try to a new one...scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
