SEREJumper

Yeah, NOT using this harness! It has seen better days, you only thing good is the chute and sleeve. I'll see about those guys mentioned. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Strat- I need to find someone to school me on packing this thing for jumping. There are a lot more land jumps than water jumps going on, so I'm sure it will be tested over land. He was asking $150 and I talked him down to $100 for it. He didn't want me to pop it, but I did see the sleeve inside that gave it away as a civilian style, but I didn't know what condition the chute was in, I was hoping better than the container was (which it was). We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I stand corrected, I got them mixed up From PPM: Capewells are a type of canopy release with a cover, then a release mechanism inside. With a 2 shot, the cover is opened, then two buttons are depressed simultaneously to release the riser. With a shot and a half, a short cable loop replaces the buttons. The cover is opened, then you put a thumb through the loop and pull, releasing the riser. With a single shot, all you have to do is pull the cover open. PPM says "the button style Capewell release is often difficult to operate as both sides have to be depressed simultaneously. The cable conversion is simpler." He goes on to explain that Capewells were originally designed only for releasing canopies on the ground (with rounds, you wouldn't break away before deploying the reserve). The shot and a half and one shot were modifications to make cutaways in the air easier. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Just a couple things. Don't say you ONLY have 17 jumps. That is saying that those 17 are not good enough, be proud of your 17! How many people in the world can say they have done 17 jumps, not that many. I wear contacts all the time as well, I usually wear a full face (bonehead Mamba), but when I wear an open face, I wear Wiley X SG-1's: http://www.wileyx.com/EcommSuite/ProductDetail.aspx?ActivityCode=TACTICAL&SeriesCode=175&ProductLine=200,SG1&ItemCode=71 You can find them on Ebay pretty cheap and the lenses are interchangeable. They can double as sun glasses if the arms come with them. Make sure you get the strap for skydiving. They fit really well and have padding that touches your face (which doesn't leave a black mark) with good ventilation. It will take time to dial in your canopy skills, if you are renting different size/make of canopy everytime, it will make it tough to determine just how that particular canopy will react. It took me about 40-50 jumps to really dial in my accuracy. With 17 jumps, you are doing pretty good right now. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Well, I was out and about and decided to stop at a garage sale in town the other day. They had the usual stuff, but in the corner on the garage I saw something interesting. It was an old looking emergency back parachute with shot and a half capwells. It was all packed up and I asked the guy if he was selling it. He said yes and that it used to be his fathers back in the 1960's. His father had died and he came in from out of state to sell off some of the estate and get the house ready to put on the market. I took a chance and bought it. I thought some of you old time jumpers would find this interesting. Not knowing if this was going to be a real emergency chute or a civilian chute inside, I pulled out my camera and I pulled the ripcord! Out popped a MA-1 pilot chute dated SEP 1958, it had a home sewn repair on the fabric, but otherwise good condition. The pilot chute was attached to a blue and red sleeve. I pulled the sleeve out and started to unstow the lines, only two rubber bands broke, the rest were really strong and flexible, but you could tell they had been packed up for a long time. Now for the real suprise, what was inside? Paracommander, C-9, T-10? I pulled up the skirt to reveal a solid green T-10 parachute. I pulled the sleeve off and started inspecting the canopy and for it's age looked really good. The canopy was dated 1963. It had a few minor rigger patches, but everything looked good. I also found that this canopy had been modified to become steerable and after some searching found out this pattern was called the "Hustler" modification. Basically one large and one small hole in the back and to both sides of the jumper. The Hustler modification and steering toggle installation were very well done and it looked like a lot of care was taken to do it. The container had some interesting modifications on it, like some added "V" rings that were hand tacked (possibly for the chest mount reserve?) which I thought was interesting. I think this was a very early rig and can appreciate the daring of the pioneers of this sport. Now after I get the canopy checked out, change out the risers and get a different container, lets see how this thing flys :) Well maybe for a water jump! I thought this was a very neat piece of skydiving history, so enjoy. I've posted some photos of the rig here: http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e280/Gearpics/Vintage%20Chute/ We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Be as detailed as possible when you write your ad. Example: Container make/model, color(s), DOM, harness size/ made for someone X'X", options, jump #'s, 1st/2nd owner?, smoking/non-smoking home, issues/ things that need updating or rigger work, serial #, size canopies it will fit. Do a little leg work up front for the buyer, remember a lot of people are buying their first rig, so give them all of the information so they don't have to hunt around for it (they may not know where to find it). Post some pictures on a free website like "photobucket" and provide a link in your ad. Take pictures of every angle and of everything. Digital is great for that. Good luck with your sale. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Woody...Sent you a PM. Get to WPS fast as the season is SHORT in that neck of the woods. Good people and vibe at that DZ. Good luck in SST. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I never met Rick, but he was a former Military Freefall Instructor down here in Yuma, along with his long list of other accomplishments. Your brotherhood certificate is eternal. We will keep your wife and children in out thoughts. RIP MFFI We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Rick, Do you live in Bremerton, WA? Kurt We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Amazon, I migth take you up on the PC jump :) I need to work LP in this year. I'll be in touch. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I will second not trying to jump a C-9. I've got about 55 static line jumps with the C-9 through the military. It's flat design and severe oscillation (if you are not using the 4 line release modification/ or some other mod) can drive you into the ground pretty hard. 13 knots is our wind limit and even with the mod. you only have about 5-7 kts forward speed, you hit pretty hard doing a rear PLF. Definitely go the paracommander route for the vintage jumps. I will say I am also interested in doing some vintage/retro jumps. Just get the right training prior to using the new equipment. Have fun! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Guys thanks for your responses, especially with the TSO comments I didn't figure out by reading some of the other threads. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Ok, if TSO-23d is the highest rating for most main stream h/c wings/javelin and they say it is only rated to 254lbs @ 150 kts then why would PD sell an Navigator 280 that has a max weight of 336lbs? Even Intermediate says 300 lbs. I doubt PD thinks these canopies are going to be going into special Vector or modified tandem containters. Anyone have an opinion on this? We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

I'm not asking for names, it you don't want to add any relevant info, then don't post/ move along. Thanks. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Interested to see if you know of anyone jumping a current wings h/c (TSO-23D) that is above the 254lb exit weight limit. It's not for me and I know it is not rated for over 254lbs...and even if someone were jumping one, it still wouldn't make it safe or legal. Just wondering. Thanks. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

If you are in the military (see below) and want insurance above the SGLI, I would recommend the Army and Airforce mutual aid society. ALL AAFMAA policies have NO war, NO aviation and NO terrorist clauses and skydiving military or civilian is good to go. A person in good health can get a $600,000 for less than $30 a month. http://www.aafmaa.com/ Eligibility Applicants become AAFMAA members when they meet medical requirements and are issued a life insurance policy on their own life. Members can then purchase additional policies for themselves, their spouse, children and grandchildren. Our policies have no war, no aviation and no terrorism clauses. Unlike SGLI, after leaving the military, members can keep and buy more AAFMAA insurance. All member families receive Survivor Assistance Services at no charge. MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY Army or Air Force personnel who are: Active Duty (or within 120 days after separation) Guard or Reserve(Full or Part Time) USMA and USAFA Cadets ROTC Contract/Scholarship Cadets Army and Air Force Retirees (through age 65) Honorably discharged veterans residing in North Carolina and Virginia We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Yep, there have been ALOT of them, since Aug. 9, 2004. Here is a link to a webpage showing the first one. http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_SHERPA,,00.html We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

My dad graduated AFF last season using a ex-military system called the MC-4 made by Para-Flite. It's rated to 360 lbs (exit weight limit) and has the same size main and reserve. He was 260lbs and a total exit weight after gear was around 310lbs. He is 6'6" tall, so his body style is good. I also had a cypres 1 installed for safety. I'm thinking about selling this one, but I'm not sure yet. There is one for sale in the classifieds for $800 right now, just do a search (I'm not affiliated with the seller in any way). I will say that at the DZ we were jumping, there were a couple ex-military AFF instructors that were willing to work with a student with his weight (fall rate) and the different equipment (DZ is in Washington State, so it's a little far from NJ). I'm sure a lot of DZ's would not. All said and done, he lost some weight after AFF and said he wished he had done it sooner. He feels better overall and has more strength and flexibility skydiving does require. Hope this helps. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Got a want to sell email on our local DZ email list. I know a few people that could meet him to check out the rig. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Keep in mind the type of latch system used as well, and your ability to use it with gloves. IMHO the Z1 is great, but the little button that you have to push to get the visor up with gloves and/or cold fingers can be a challenge. I like the Bonehead Mamba's pressure release system a whole lot better. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Come on, go with Multicam...you know you want to! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Just got this back from PD: The SR-1 slinks are approved for use on a PR-281 reserve. I believe the slink packaging was not updated when we added the PR-281 to the product line. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll add this to the list of updates needed! So..they are good to go. Thanks to all who replied. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Ordered SR-1 (reserve) slinks for a rig with a PD 281 reserve, but the packaging says for use with only PDR 113 - 253. Seems to me if they are good enough for a Tandem main... PD hasn't gotten back to me yet, anybody out there have them on a 281? Thanks! We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

Jim Cazer 589 East Lake Hill Drive Talladega, Alabama 35160 256-268-9843 (Business Phone) 256-268-0675 (Fax) $80 shipped for mine and I got it in 3 days. Jim is a stand-up guy with a very good product. Quite a few companies use his PC (VSE for one). We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar

It is just a fact that not to many skydivers today have jumped rounds (unless your military, and T-10's aren't the best as far as stearing goes). I've got 55 jumps on a C-9 28' round. There is a big misconseption about rounds in my opinion. People fear what they are not used to. Same goes for B-12 snaps vs. thread through adapters. They used to be the only thing around (along with quick ejector snaps), now lots of people are scared of them. The times have just changed and I don;t think many people will every change their minds about it. We're not fucking flying airplanes are we, no we're flying a glorified kite with no power and it should be flown like one! - Stratostar