Flying High Manufacturing Inc. is now for SALE

PAPER SEALS on your RESERVE! Since June of 2014, in conjunction with CSPA's Technical and Safety Committee (TSC) we have initiated a test program of using paper seals (instead of lead seals) for all of our reserve repacks. We will monitor the effectiveness of the paper seals throughout the season and report back to TSC at the end of this year. Paper seals have some benefits over lead, and from what we have seen so far, no negatives. Aside from the obvious: less lead in the... environment, they are safer.... according to Airtec there have been instances in the past where the lead seal got caught up in the ripcord pin and loop. The paper seals have much more information on them than just the riggers alpha-numeric characters. Our paper seals are signed and dated, which will coincide with the packing data card and carry contact information of the rigger. Thiese photos show the paper seals printed on Avery labels and seal affixed to the safety tie thread. The seal is covered in clear packing tape before trimming. Tests show the label is extremely difficult to get off the safety tie thread without breaking the thread, and impossible to reinstall to original condition. While doing my homework prior to implementing the paper seals, one US rigger (ex-military) told me the entire US airforce fleet of F-4 Phantoms were temporarily grounded while lead seals were taken off their parachutes..... apparently several instances of lead seals getting caught in the rudder pedals seriously reduced directional control. I have seen a number of rigs that had the lead seal come off, especially under high G conditions, but often during normal jumping. I am looking for feedback, including from others using paper seals, and those who have questions -- please feel free to contact me: [email protected]

Tandem master John Davies takes DZ owners daughter, Tara Wolczuk for her first parachute jump during one of the many Twin Otter boogies at the Chilliwack BC dropzone. Note Tara's perfect body position as per instructions, and how calm she looks. Photo by Al MacDonald

A few of my Canpara cover shots.

Ok, here's the launch. I need to scan a bunch of my skydiving slides to add into the photo section!

Attempt #1 at putting together a short video from various GoPro locations around my Eagle.