This site contains all British Skydiving Approved Tandem parachute equipment modifications that have been approved, recorded in the minutes and subsequently ratified at Riggers or Safety and Training Committee meetings. The modifications may be selected and viewed using three criteria; Type, Search, and Sort. Individual modifications have a brief description and may be expanded to show full details. Modifications may also have attached files including text, image and video as appropriate.
‘Type’ refers to a tandem system container and comprises all modifications for that equipment type that have appeared in the British Skydiving Riggers or Safety and Training Committee minutes since 1993. Each modification is as quoted in the applicable minute and sometimes, where necessary, there are references to other items to facilitate a fuller understanding of the modification The ‘Search’ and ‘Sort’ criteria are self-explanatory.
RIGGERS 11th Feb 10
Removal of plastic bellyband buckle on the Next Tandem harness and replace it with a chest strap adjustable metal buckle.
6. STUDENT EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A Student Parachutist Equipment Change Proposal application request had been received from Paul Hollow, a copy of which had been previously circulated with the agenda, together with the relevant paperwork and drawings. The request had been supported by Nick Johnston.
The request related to the new type of Next Student Tandem Harness and the proposal was to remove the plastic bellyband buckle and replace it with a chest strap adjustable metal buckle.
The manufacturers (Paratec) had raised no objection to this modification. A copy of an e-mail from Paratec had also been circulated with the agenda.
Following some discussion, it was proposed by Pat Walters and seconded by Dave Major that the above request be accepted.
Carried Unanimously
RIGGERS 5th Aug 10
Acceptance of Next Century Tandem container as a manufacturer’s upgrade.
4. STUDENT HARNESS & CONTAINER SYSTEM ― INITIAL CLEARANCE REQUEST
A Student Harness & Container System ― Initial Clearance application request had been received from Kim Newton, a copy of which had been previously circulated with the Agenda, together with the relevant paperwork.
Kim presented the equipment to the meeting, which was the Next Century Tandem Container. Kim reported that the container had a number of differences from the Next Tandem and whilst she felt those differences may be described as minor, in order to prevent future misunderstandings, she believed it was necessary to accept the Next Century on its own merits. Kim had also advised that Mike Rust had examined the container and he had confirmed that there were no differences in the operation and drills for the Tandem Instructor/operator.
There then followed some discussion on this request. It was felt by those present that the equipment presented was in fact a manufacturers upgrade and therefore, it did not require acceptance for use by the Committee. Kim stated that she understood this, but had submitted the necessary paperwork out of courtesy to the Committee and asked for formal acceptance of this equipment by those present.
Following further discussion, it was proposed by Kim Newton and seconded by Pete Sizer that the above equipment as presented be accepted for use in the UK on the basis that it was a manufacturers upgrade.
Carried Unanimously
RIGGERS 9th Feb 12
Change to RSL stitch pattern on Dual Hawk Tandem. (Cleared for all).
4. STRONG DUAL HAWK TANDEM EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A Student Parachutist Equipment Change Proposal application had been received from Andy Page, a copy of which had been circulated with the agenda, together with the relevant paperwork and drawings.
At the previous meeting, Andy Page had reported that following a cutaway on a Strong Dual Hawk Tandem system where the RSL was suspected of causing a hang-up of the cutaway main and near main and reserve entanglement. On inspection it was found that the RSL tuck tab had broken stitches at the point of strain where it should pull free. This may have been exacerbated by the Tandem pair dropping away back to earth, which causes the tuck tab to be pulled at the wrong angle to release easily.
Andy Page had made a change to the stitch pattern on the RSL, which allowed extra flexibility and easier release of the RSL in the back to earth position. Andy had informed the manufacturers of this and they had approved this modification. The manufacturers had also stated that they would conduct further tests to check out the possible problem. The Committee had accepted the modification for use by Andy Page only on the basis that the modification had been approved by the manufacturer.
The Committee had asked that Andy Page submit the appropriate paperwork and drawings to enable the modification to be considered by the Committee for inclusion on the list of BPA approved Tandem modifications.
It was proposed by Andy Page and seconded by Dave Major that the above modification be accepted for general use.
Carried Unanimously
RIGGERS 27th Sept 12
To add a ‘Y’ strap to a Paratec Tandem Student Harness (Not cleared for all).
3. TANDEM EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A Student Parachutist Equipment Change Proposal from Noel Purcell had been circulated with the Agenda together with the relevant paperwork and drawings. The proposed change was to add a Y strap to a Paratec Tandem Student Harness to keep the legstraps in place and to prevent his student slipping out of the harness. Noel reported that the manufacturers of the harness had stated that they were happy with his proposed modification.
The Committee were advised that Noel had presented his proposed mod to the previous meeting, and those Riggers present could see no problem with his a proposal. However, a decision could not be taken then, as the related paperwork had not arrived in time for it to be included on the outgoing agenda for that meeting. This item had therefore been deferred until this meeting.
Noel Purcell once again presented the harness and proposed mod to those present.
Following further discussion and consideration, it was proposed by Noel Purcell and seconded by Dave Major that the proposed change to the Paratec Tandem Student harness as presented with the type 7 back strap and belly band (this was not the original which did not have a back band or belly band, nor the newest model which has a type 17 back band and no belly band) be accepted for use at Target Skysports.
Carried Unanimously
RIGGERS 26th Sept 13
To retrofit leg strap bungees to Next Student Harness (Cleared for all).
9. STUDENT PARACHUTIST EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A Student Parachutist Equipment change proposal from Chris Gilmore had been circulated with the agenda and had included the relevant paperwork and drawing. The proposed change was to retrofit leg strap bungees to Next Student Tandem Student harness, copying the manufacturers’ new Student Tandem harness.
Chris Gilmore presented a new Next Student Tandem harness and explained the proposed modification to those present.
Following some discussion, it was proposed by Chris Gilmore and seconded by Paul Stockwell that the above modification be accepted for use on any Next Student Tandem harness with the proviso that the mod is carried out by at least a Parachute Rigger.
Carried Unanimously
RIGGERS 6th Feb 14
6. INITIAL CLEARANCE OF THE STRONG ENTERPRISES (TNT) TANDEM CONTAINER SYSTEM A proposal from George Panagopoulos together with supporting paperwork had been circulated with the Agenda requesting that the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem Container System be accepted for use. George Panagopoulos provided further details of his request and presented the full system for inspection by […]
6. INITIAL CLEARANCE OF THE STRONG ENTERPRISES (TNT) TANDEM CONTAINER SYSTEM
A proposal from George Panagopoulos together with supporting paperwork had been circulated with the Agenda requesting that the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem Container System be accepted for use.
George Panagopoulos provided further details of his request and presented the full system for inspection by those present. George stated that the system was similar to the Strong Dual Hawk Tandem Container, but that it had been upgraded to a one pin instead of a 2 pin. He also highlighted a number of other differences with the system.
George reported that the Owner’s Manual for packing and maintenance of the TNT system was also available on the manufacturer’s website.
Following further consideration, those Riggers present stated that they were happy with the equipment from a rigging aspect. However, they did not feel that they could accept the equipment for use by all Tandem Instructors at this time until the equipment had been evaluated and checked out operationally.
It was therefore, proposed by George Panagopoulos and seconded by Rick Boardman that the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem Container System be accepted from a rigging point of view, but that STC may wish to consider the position from an operational perspective, as there may be a need to look at producing a different set of emergency drills for the equipment.
Carried Unanimously
Summary
Last Update: From Riggers and Safety and Training Committee meetings 1st Feb 2018.
Download
Form-212 Approved Tandem Parachute Equipment Modifications
Detail
To ascertain which canopies are cleared for use with a specific container, reference must be made to the modifications for that container type. A type of ‘Canopies Only’ has been included for any individual canopies, main or reserve, which have been approved for Tandem use by STC/Riggers but have no formal Tandem container system associated with them. These have been included for information only as the canopies have not had any modification applied to them.
Officially, any British Skydiving Tandem Modification that is cleared for use at any particular Riggers or STC Committee meeting must be formally ratified at the following Riggers or STC Meeting. These meetings are normally eight weeks apart and ‘officially’, any such Tandem Modification item will not be formally cleared until that ratification.
Important
Some previously recorded clearances have been removed. For the full wording see the item ‘RIGGERS 15th Feb 01’ under type ‘General’.
No reference is made to any formal Safety Notice, Safety Information or Update, that has been issued by an individual manufacturer, unless they require the Riggers or STC to intervene. This is because a manufacturer’s update is not part of the British Skydiving modification programme. Safety Notices and Safety Information sheets may be issued by British Skydiving but these have their own recommendations and/or instructions.