While jumping at twin falls this past week, I noticed that one jumper did not have a Tailgate installed on his BASE canopy. He was using 1 inch masking tape instead of the tailgate, all his jumps went well. My Question is: is this an acceptable ? asside from littering. Thank You.
well, to answer the "acceptability" question, my question would be:
"Did it work?"
Same answer.
Peace out,
Thomas :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
hey, tokey smokey, please be careful with this type of reasoning!
if this guy did a couple jumps and it worked, cool!
however, a couple jumps is a very small sample size.
(i.e. I am sure you could get away with a few BASE jumps using a slider down stilleto at Moab, but in the long run, you're screwed)
Some examples of things that started killing people after quite a lot of jumps were made with them are (knowing your hatred of all things skydiving I am sure you will notice the lack of BASE related stuff here, but the principle still applies):
Nova canopies
Pintail canopies
Blast Handles
Plastic Reserve Handles
Mini risers
2 stow diapers
High volume reserves in early small Javelins
I am sure others could add to the list
However, I have heard of this tape thing before and seen manufacturers use it, so I think this particular practice is OK, if done correctly.
laters
I can see it now. Once the Scotch people get ahold of this information, this will begin appearing on each of their tape dispensers:
"Disclaimer: Scotch brand tape is not designed for use as a parachute reefing device. Use of this product in that manner is strictly prohibited."
Won't that confuse the kiddies...
I'd definitely say that using tape to simulate a tailgate is a bad idea.
If you close the tape incorrectly (around itself, instead of onto itself), you can create a tape induced snivel, where the tape just doesn't blow, and you impact with a partially inflated canopy. Maybe not a big deal into the water in Idaho, but still not a good habit to get into.
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com
An un-named individual from a well respected base company suggested this method when I mentioned I had lost my tailgate and did not have a spare. I will not share his name out of respect.
Do it Stealth-Style!
Mike
yo Tom, could you expand on the "around itself, instead of onto itself" comment? What the hell is the difference?
3M will have a similar disclaimer:
Please Note: This 3M Brand Electrical Tape tape not designed for use as a parachute static-line breakcord substitute. Use of this product for any parachute-related function is gravely discouraged.
Product Use: Please remember that many factors can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. The materials to be bonded with the product, the surface preparation of those materials, the product selected for use, the conditions in which the product is used, and the time and environmental conditions in which the product is expected to perform are among the many factors that can affect the use and performance of a 3M product. Given the variety of factors that can affect the use and performance of a 3M product, some of which are uniquely within the user’s knowledge and control, it is essential that the user evaluate the 3M product to determine whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for the user’s method of application.
Warranty and Limited Remedy: The 3M product will be free from defects in material and manufacture for a period of one (1) year from the date of manufacture. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING OUT OF A COURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM, OR USAGE OF TRADE. User is responsible for determining whether the 3M product is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application. If the 3M product is defective within the warranty period stated above, your exclusive remedy and 3M’s sole obligation shall be, at 3M’s option, to replace or repair the 3M product or refund the purchase price of the 3M product.
Limitation of Liability: Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the 3M product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including contract, warranty, negligence, or strict liability.
Sorry Tom, but you be out to lunch on this one.
We're talking one-inch masking tape here, and it's NOT going to keep your steering lines from opening no matter what you do with it short of using the whole roll.
The way your elders did it before the tailgate and some still do is:
Make an sticky-side-out loop that holds the lines together but not too tight.
Sticky side out does two things:
1) Keeps the tape from sticking to the steering lines; and
2) Let's you stick it to the canopy and other lines just enough to hold it in place until deployment starts.
It has been proven during many years of use and is a completely satisfactory alternative to a tailgate - and the tape will biodegrade faster than tailgates and their rubber bands.
Robin
If you close the tape sticky side to sticky side, it will only have one wrap of tape to break.
If you wrap the tape around the lines (sticky side to non-sticky side) you can have multiple wraps of tape, increasing the strength to an unnacceptable level.
Basically, I'd avoid it because sooner or later someone who doesn't know how to do it will hear that tape is ok, and wrap the lines several times, too tightly and strongly.
Sure, lots of people have done it (yep, me too). But I still don't think it's a good idea.
--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@mac.com
what if I used some Mobius Strip type of arrangement?
>Some examples of things that started killing
>people
>Blast Handles
BLAST HANDLES GOT A BAD RAP. I was so pissed when USPA started that ban crap - Had to redo all my ripcords. I used blast (actually, ANTIWIND blast] handles many times, on both mains and reserves and loved them. Worked great and surely no more difficult to pull or find than these new pud reserve ripcords or cutaway pillows.
:9
Right on, Interloper, and Jeez, you're obviously even "elder" than me because I started sport jumping in 1974, just as USPA was banning them.
And they were banned not because there was something wrong with them but because clueless people were making unauthorized modifications that caused them to malfunction...
Just the steering lines, and to elaborate on one of Tom's concerns:
BY making a "reverse" loop, so the sticky side is out, it not only allows you to "stick" it in place against the stabilizers or other lines, it allows the tape to act sorta like a slide as the parachute opens... it actually slides down the lines a little way until the opening force breaks it.
This gives you the nice little tailgate-like delay to keep the steering lines where they are supposed to be, and pretty much eliminates any chance of the tape somehow gumming up the works and causing a malfunction.
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