Rant & Rave Blog

Reviews, News & Expert Advice

  1. Reflections On ChutingStar Rigging School

    As we wrapped up our final ChutingStar Parachute Rigging School course for 2019, I ended up placing this group's canopy patch right above our first course patch from 2008. Detailed memories of that first course 11 years ago are starting to fade, but fresh in my mind are all of those riggers and riggers-to-be who birthed what the ChutingStar Rigging Family has become today.

    With the help of the late great Hell Yeah Jack Hammer and ultra detail-oriented Ryan Vosser, we kicked off the first-ever ChutingStar Rigging School in 2008 by pouring all of our knowledge, tips and tricks into John Barnes, Warren Cleary and John Dean. Warren, who didn't technically sign-up for the course, was woken up from the bunkhouse that morning and was told he had to take the course. Ha! He would later work for ChutingStar, become the lead instructor for our rigging courses for several years and earn his Master Rigger certificate. Continue reading

  2. Past Vigil Service Bulletin Deadlines

    Make sure your Vigil has been updated for these service bulletins below, if your unit is affected. These were bulletins with deadlines in 2019 and 2020.

    Check the info below to see if your unit is affected, and if so, please get with your local rigger to get the unit removed and returned to Vigil America for the updates.

    Continue reading
  3. Newsletter Spotlights Skydiving Gear

    ChutingStar's newsletter will help you stay in the know on the latest skydiving gear with links to new gear, expert advice blog articles and coupon codes for special event sales. Our e-mail information blasts are short and sweet...getting you the info you need to know quickly and allowing you to click over if you need the full scoop. Sign up at this link, or click the image above. You can unsubscribe, or resubscribe, at any time. Continue reading
  4. Several Gear Pickup Options For You

    ChutingStar's Gear Shop is closed on the weekends so our crew can enjoy their days off jumping, flying in the tunnel or just relaxing with family and friends. But that doesn't mean you can't pickup your gear when we're closed... Besides just having the gear shipped to where you live, or where you're travelling to, we also have a Pickup In Store option at checkout that gives options for pickup at our boogie tour events (when Laura has the boogie van and tent on the road), or at the drop zone our staff jumps at on the weekend, Skydive Monroe.  Continue reading
  5. ChutingStar's 20th Anniversary!

    It was just more than 20 years ago that ChutingStar came into existence, originally as just a skydiving rigger inspecting, assembling, repairing and packing reserve parachutes on nights, weekends and in-between my "real job" of the time of being a newspaper reporter and editor. My first year rigging grew quickly as I became the main rigger on the drop zone, and was a skydive instructor as well as a rigger, fun jumper, swooper and 4-way competitor. My wife Stephanie pushed me over the edge into giving ChutingStar my full-time attention as I was running out of time to get everything done each day between my newspaper job, skydiving/rigging and still trying to play drums in local bands. I had to choose between one of those three to fully pursue...and ChutingStar it was. Continue reading
  6. Used Skydiving Gear Available!

    ChutingStar is not only your go to resource for new skydiving gear, equipment education and skydiver product reviews, but we also resell a varied selection of used skydiving gear! This can include canopies, containers, altimeters, helmets, jumpsuits, cameras, accessories and random skydiver goods. The selection and quantity varies, but whatever is in stock is always at a good deal, and can be immediately returned if it doesn't fit or is not what was expected. Continue reading
  7. Tonfly TFX Info & Ordering

    The much-awaited impact-rated Tonfly TFX full face skydiving helmet is now available for ordering! Not only is the helmet unique in its modular design and rated head protection, it's also the most custom-fit helmet available coming in 36 different size configurations. To place an order for a TFX, you can visit our ChutingStar Skydiving Gear SuperStore in Marietta GA to be properly sized for the helmet with the Tonfly TFX Fitting Kit, or you can follow the measuring guide in our online listing at this link. Either process can be used to determine the shell size, central lining size and secondary lining size.  Continue reading
  8. Is This Used Container A Good Deal?

    We know new skydiving gear is expensive, and that it's very tempting to buy a used rig from someone you don't know on Facebook because the price is so much lower. But before you end up spending money on a rig you'll never be able to jump, make sure you read the August 2018 interview with ChutingStar owner Mike Gruwell in USPA's Parachutist Magazine at this link. A used container can be a great deal, as long as it fits you, is in good condition and will fit the canopies you can currently jump. But it can also be the worst deal ever if you can't jump it or get your money back.  Continue reading
  9. Skydive Container Options Explained

    Confused by the volume and names of container options when ordering a new rig or looking through the list on a used or stock rig? Fear not, the ChutingStar Crew has put together a series of 17 short, one-minute videos that explains each option available on a skydiving rig. These include videos on articulation, back pads, MARDs, free fly mods, riser covers, riser types and more! Check out this playlist! Continue reading
  10. Rigging Innovations New Mojo MARD

    Rigging Innovations has added the long-awaited MOJO MARD system to it's container options for the CURV and CPX harness/container systems. The most well-known example of a MARD system is the Skyhook by United Parachute Technologies. MARD stands for Main-Assisted Reserve Deployment System and is basically an RSL (reserve static line) on steroids. When using a MARD system and you cutaway your main, the main essentially becomes your reserve pilot chute. This results in a much quicker transition sequence from a cutaway to an open reserve canopy. The MOJO can be added to any new order of an RI Curv or CPX container from ChutingStar at Continue reading