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.
STC 6th Feb 14
3. RIGGERS’ SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE 21 NOVEMBER 2013 Paul Applegate reported on the meeting held that afternoon and stated the Committee had considered a request from George Panagopoulos for the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem Container System to be accepted for use. Paul reported that the full system had been available at the meeting and […]
3. RIGGERS’ SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE 21 NOVEMBER 2013
Paul Applegate reported on the meeting held that afternoon and stated the Committee had considered a request from George Panagopoulos for the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem Container System to be accepted for use.
Paul reported that the full system had been available at the meeting and had been inspected by those Riggers present. He stated that the Committee had accepted the equipment from a rigging point of view, but that STC may wish to consider the position from an operational perspective.
George Panagopoulos was present at STC and provided further details of the equipment in question. George reported that the system was similar to the Strong Dual Hawk Tandem Container, but stated 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.
Following further consideration on this matter, it was proposed by Pete Sizer and seconded by Ray Armstrong that the Strong Enterprises (TNT) Tandem system be checked out operationally by a ‘Strong’ rated Tandem Instructor Examiner, as there may be a need to look at producing a different set of emergency drills for the equipment.
Carried Unanimously
ompson agreed to carry out a couple of jumps on the system and to also produce a written report on his findings to the Committee.
STC 3rd Apr 14
2. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE STC MEETING OF THE 6 FEBRUARY 2014 Page 2. Item 3 – Riggers’ Subcommittee Meeting of the 21 November 2013. The Chair reported that the Strong TNT Tandem system had now been jumped and cleared for general use.
2. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE STC MEETING OF THE 6 FEBRUARY 2014
Page 2. Item 3 – Riggers’ Subcommittee Meeting of the 21 November 2013. The Chair reported that the Strong TNT Tandem system had now been jumped and cleared for general use.
RIGGERS 20th Nov 14
Initial clearance of Ex-Military Vector Tandem system (SN 43482).
7. TANDEM HARNESS & CONTAINER SYSTEM – INITIAL CLEARANCE REQUEST
A proposal from Malcom Knox (AR) together with supporting paperwork had been circulated with the Agenda requesting that the Relative Workshop Ex- Military Vector Wonderhog Dual Container/ Tandem Harness system (serial no. 43482) be accepted for use.
The Committee noted that the paperwork previously circulated had not identified the specific harness to be used with this particular container.
However, during inspection of the container & harness, which was presented to the meeting it was noted that the harness in use with this particular container had been manufactured by Aircare (Nicky Johnston). It was pointed out that the Aircare harness had never been accepted for use with other containers. Therefore, the Committee could only deal with the particular serial numbered container as presented.
During discussion, it was agreed by those present that any other (similarly modified ex-Military Tandem Vector equipment) would only be accepted for use on an individual basis and that anyone else wishing to obtain a similar clearance for other rigs would need to submit the appropriate paperwork to the Riggers’ Sub-Committee for consideration.
Following further consideration, it was proposed by Malcom Knox (proxy) and seconded by Pete Sizer that this specific Relative Workshop Ex-Military Tandem Vector II Wonderhog Dual Container (serial no. 43482) be accepted for use.
For: 4 (Incl 1 by proxy) – Against: 2 – Abstentions: 2
Carried
RIGGERS 05th Feb 15
That 2 Aircare Tandem Student Harness (S.N.’s given) be cleared for use with the above Ex-Military Vector Tandem system (SN 43491).
4. TANDEM HARNESS & CONTAINER SYSTEM – INITIAL CLEARANCE REQUEST
A proposal from Nicky Johnston together with supporting paperwork had been circulated with the Agenda requesting the following:
- That the Tandem Student Harnesses (serial numbers 2903001 and 2903002) manufactured by Aircare to the Paratec Next design be accepted for use on the above Tandem Vector Container (serial no. 43491)
Following discussion, it was proposed by Pete Sizer and seconded by Dave Major that the above request be accepted.
For: 8 – Against: 0 – Abstentions: 1 (Kim Newton, Paul Stockwell)
Carried
RIGGERS 05th Feb 15
That a Red Paratec Next Tandem cutaway handle be acceptable on all UPT Tandem Vector systems (Cleared for all).
6. STUDENT PARACHUTIST EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A proposal from Nicky Johnston together with supporting paperwork had been circulated with the Agenda requesting that a Red Paratec Next Tandem Cutaway handle be accepted for use on a UPT Tandem Vector system and that it be cleared for use by all.
The method of change was a direct replacement, checking Teflon cable lengths. A letter from Bill Sharp with his comments on Agenda items 6 & 7 had been tabled to those present, in which he had raised some concern with regard to jumpers getting confused with the various colour combinations.
The Committee acknowledged Bill Sharp’s comments.
Kim Newton also expressed some concern with regard to the inter-changing of component parts, particularly in light of the recent Service Bulletins issued by Strong Enterprises and Paratec.
Pete Sizer confirmed that the Paratec Next handle had been previously accepted for use on the UPT Tandem Vector system in the past and that in these two items, the Committee were just debating colour changes.
Following discussion, it was proposed by Pete Sizer and seconded by Rick Boardman that the above request be accepted.
For: 9 – Against: 0 – Abstentions: 1 (Kim Newton)
Carried
RIGGERS 05th Feb 15
That a Yellow Tandem Vector reserve handle be acceptable on all UPT Tandem Vector systems (Cleared for all).
7. STUDENT PARACHUTIST EQUIPMENT CHANGE PROPOSAL
A proposal from Nicky Johnston together with supporting paperwork has been circulated with the Agenda requesting that a Relative Workshop Tandem Vector reserve handle be coloured yellow and that it be cleared for use by all.
The method of change was to a change the handle colour by use of tape, unless manufactured in yellow as per original part.
Following discussion, the Committee did not foresee an issue of just changing the colour of a reserve or cutaway handle to enable jumpers that have contrasting colours, not to conflict. This was as long as it was a recognised handle and that it still carried the manufacturers mark in the event of a paper trail.
The Committee also felt that providing the above was applied, they could see no reason why similar individual requests involving colour changes to reserve and cutaway handles needed to be brought to the table in the future for acceptance.
Following discussion, it was proposed by Pete Sizer and seconded by Rick Boardman that the above request be accepted.
For: 9 – Against: 0 – Abstentions: 1 (Kim Newton)
Carried
NOTE:
Clarification of part of this clearance was requested at the Riggers Meeting of 4th February 2016. ‘It was therefore proposed by Rick Boardman and seconded by Paul Stockwell that individual requests involving colour changes to reserve and cutaway handles need not be brought to the table in the future for acceptance as long as it is a recognized handle and that it still carried the manufacturers mark.’
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.