councilman24

I know of some third world countries where jumpers use expired but still functioning AAD'S. Cuba is one. Umm I know I've heard of a another. Russian federation countries maybe.

I'll add to an old topic. One of the reputations was being brittle and susceptible to what I guess I'll call micro abrasion. In dusty, sandy areas it seemed the grit getting into the lines abraded the fibers and lines were breaking that looked fine. Remember Kevlar tape is used to line kill line bridles, was an initial attempt to reduce friction on cutaway cables both riser cable end keepers and soft housings. I have a like new Raven (I think) reserve with kevar lines.

Still have boxes full downstairs, many years worth, my daughters will likely have to throw them out when I die or get put in a home. Can't bring myself to throw them out.

If is was not in the direct sunlight coming through the window and only exposed to a room lit with reflected sunlight little (likely no) effect. Even if in the direct light through the window glass effectively blocks most of UV B, the UV wavelengths that affect nylon. It should be fine.

Rob, Every new rigger should have tensile testing clamps. While PD dropped their yearly tensile test for their reserves 10 years ago or so the Evo Rush reserve requires a tensile test yearly. In addition I think their is a round emergency canopy that requires one but would have to look to see if I remember that right. In addition, you yourself have indicated why any rigger should have tensile testing clamps in your post above.

Has this year.

"§ 65.129 Performance standards. No certificated parachute rigger may— (a) Pack, maintain, or alter any parachute unless he is rated for that type; (b) Pack a parachute that is not safe for emergency use;...." If you choose to equate not safe as unairworthy I'd argue this regulation gives every rigger the right AND responsibility to determine the airworthiness of every piece of approved equipment (and non-approved since "parachute" in this case refers to both approved and non-approved equipment) presented to them. I.do not believe that gives any rigger or manufacturer the right to retain equipment not airworthy or not approved for repair by the owner. Obviously this is item specific, not a model, group or design.

For a long time I didn't have an industrial machine. Now I have 63 industrial heads including these zig zag machines. 2 Pfaff 238's, 5 Singer 20u's, 2 Consew 199's, Bernina 217, 3 Bernona 217n's, a Sing 17w15 (highest foot lift) and an sailrite LSZ-1 (that I haven't used). But first I had a Husqvarna Viking like the one in the photo but without all the fancy stitches. It STILL does zig zag on toggle noses better than any of the other zig zag machines. 6 layers of 1000lb type 4. If you can find one like this I'd grab it. Be aware a bartack is a specific pattern that includes straight and zig zag stitches. Various numbers if each stitch, sizes x and y, and starting and ending stitches.

Spacecraft

https://m.facebook.com/groups/ParachuteRiggers/permalink/2996317873816275/

I have CAA (FAA predecessor) regulations that list ratings, experience requirements and privileges for rigger, senior rigger, and master rigger. Rigger and senior rigger hardly different. So there WAS a civilian "rigger" rating. Pick of regs later.

After 35 years since I jumped a para commander and 17 years since last round jump jumped my Jumbo PC. Steel in ankle and weight gain kept from jumping rounds. After talking to a few folks on FB Round group decided wise to jump into water first. About 305lbs exit weight. I was ready to jump it last October on land but got weathered out and dz's closed for winter. Water jump pick up boat and opportunity came up very short notice. As much fun as I remembered and expected EXCEPT instant canopy. Discussion for rigging. Calculated descent rate somewhere around 17 fps. I can take that onto land. received_631436048348779.mp4

No it wasn't the Atair your posted about.

This is the BIG one. On your sternum means you can get it with either hand and your sternum doesn't bend so knife never get in the way.

Reminds me I have/had one. Haven't seen it in years but I may know what file cabinet it's in.

Hmm, about 1999 or 2001, someone displayed a welded seam canopy at the PIA symposium. AFAIK is never made it to market and of course no other has. I don't believe the fabric was nylon. I remember the look of the booth but not who it was.

I don't get on here much anymore. But... A jumper who was working construction in the summer and throwing students weekday evenings essentially left his Javelin in the trunk all summer. Came to me for repack. It took over 30 lbs of pressure to pull the sticky free bag off the canopy stack after the locking stows were out. The bag was lifted off the floor between the anchored rig and my scale on the bridle. Given the force data from the PIA PC freefall testing he would have towed it for a ways after a cutaway.

I resemble that remark. I finally found a full face that fit my head, a Phantom X (kiss predecessor). But I HATE jumping in a full face helmet.

I have jumped one and have a friend jumping it, a 20 plus year old one, as his routine main. Should be a cheap reasonable main.

For a complete system that includes harness and reserve as well as main, it is not legal for a US citizen to jump. The main in other TSO'd gear is. IF the UT 15 complete rig is legal in the home country of a non US citizen jumper then they can jump it here. i.e. a Russian citizen or if legal in Ukraine a Ukrainian.

Okay, If a non us citizen has a rig that is legal in their home country they can jump it here. Lot's of more detail. For instance a Russian had a French reserve not TSO'd in US. It was legal in Russia so legal for him to jump here. The nationality of the non US jumper does not have to match the country of origin of the gear. We all read it like that for years but that's not what it says.

It also was not just the mesh as Rob mentioned. I had a Pioneer with two panels on one gore next to one larger piece of mesh. So two pieces of white fabric next to one piece of mesh. Had seen identical conditions since sewn together. One panel full strength, one completely degraded. The two panels might have come from different lots, batches, rolls etc. but had been sewn next to each other. We gave Invista, maker of nylon filament, samples of bad fabric. IF they discovered the issue they never told the industry. I did several high tech spectroscopic analysis on the bad versus good nylon. I couldn't identify the difference. To the OP, I pack a lot of old stuff but I would not pack an old Securty LoPo in a pilot rig.

I've added to my collection. I have a 217 with small cam lightly used as back up on upholstery shop $750, a 217n-8 no cam like new from older upholster's estate $400. A 217n-8 with cam in fair condition with rusty parts, $75, a clean 217n-8 except dropped and cracked casting and broken knee lift, $200. Those last two are going together to make one good one. And Thursday now a 217n-12 with cam needing a little tlc but should be good. First 217 small cam had complete original cam set. No other cams till last one which had the elusive large cam 308 double throw zig zag. I have two consew 199r-2a's 308 stitch somenI'm well stocked.

Maybe I'll figure it out. Changing 1 1/2 shot capewells to New Old Stock R3's sometime soon when I get to it. Just got the rivets from Paragear. And yes I have the tool kit also NOS.

Yet all if those denigrating ripcord and spring loaded pilot chutes for wing suiting rely on them to save your ass when you can't get the throw out handle? Hmmm. Many wingsuiters if not going to wingsuit specific canopies are going to triathlons, spectres, original Sabres. Canopies very much like those used by students with ripcords still at some dzs and for many years before most moved to throw outs for students. These canopies may not be as fast with a pc dragging, but also for a couple of decades we didn't have or didn't routinely use collapsible throw out PCs. So we were dragging an open PC on an 8ft bridle. Sounds familiar. Put the spring loaded PC on a long bridle and it would work just as well. Might there be issues with a long bridle trailing? Yeah. But no more than not finding a handle and using your last chance to live, which happens to be a ripcord.;) The main reason folks got rid of spring loaded PC's was the effort required to close the smaller containers and that it didn't look as cool. For many years we believed that the throw out still had to be visible. Belly bands, front of leg strap rear of leg strap all came before BOCs. Which was still a change in paradyme in not being able to see what opened your parachute. Is a throw out BOC best for a lot of skydiving? Sure. Maybe. Does a ripcord still work? Yep. But when we want to save our life in any situation we use a spring and a ripcord. And wingsuits with more and more rigid arms may need a thumb operated electrically released spring loaded PC. Or spring launched throw out like the T11 chest reserve? Hmmm. Rant off.