Rant & Rave Blog

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

In case you missed the change back in January 2017, Advanced Aerospace Designs is now requiring all versions of the Vigil AAD units to have the battery replaced at AAD Belgium or Vigil America.

The Vigil II, 2+ and Cuatro battery has a lifespan of +/- 5 years or minimum 2000 jumps and must be replaced at 10 years.

Information bulletins on battery replacements and servicing can be found at these links:

Continue reading →

Jumpsuit manufacturers are dialing in sizing for a larger number of body types and sizes to allow jumpers to find a jumpsuit that fits them off the shelf so they can be in the air or tunnel by the weekend in a new suit instead of waiting several weeks or months. Henry Kochen of the ChutingStar Crew put together a video overview of the the current selection of stock jumpsuits available to you at ChutingStar to give you an up-close look at their features, construction, pricing and sizing. Below are links to stock suits from Tonfly, Parasport and PittZ that can be ordered for immediate shipment so you're able to use it by the weekend! Continue reading →

Besides your rig, jumpsuit, altimeters and helmet, what are your must-haves, have-to-haves and can't-leave-home-withouts that you take with you to the drop zone, wind tunnel or boogie?

We took a look into the Gear Bags of the ChutingStar Crew this week, and posted the photos of what we've found plus a list of items that each crew member declared "essential." If it's available at ChutingStar, the item is linked to where you can get it online. Otherwise, the common items listed you can find at many local retail shops.

We hope this helps you prepare better for a day, weekend or week of skydiving or flying in a tunnel this year!

Skydiving Gear Bag Essentials

Laura's gear bag (above) has the widest variety of items of all of us, but that's because she jumps mostly at boogies during her time on the ChutingStar Boogie Tour. Her list of essentials include:

Continue reading →

Mudflap mounts may have become more popular due to Wingsuiting and Swooping, but now they are being used by all types of skydivers for an easy-to-view placement of your altimeter.

Henry Kochen of the ChutingStar Crew took some time in the video below to show the different types of mudflap altimeter mounts available, their options and how they are installed.

You can find all the mudflap altimeter mounts on ChutingStar at this link.

Available mudflap mounts include:

Continue reading →

ChutingStar's Rigger Closing Hook is a unique parachute rigging tool used for closing reserve containers.

Those who have attended a ChutingStar Rigger School Course or one of our Parachute Industry Association Symposium Seminars, have seen up close how the tool is used.  But if you haven't, the tool isn't exactly self-explainable.

So here's a short video on how it's attached to the pullup cord and how a parachute rigger uses it for closing the reserve container.

How To Use The ChutingStar Rigger Pullup Hook from ChutingStar.

Continue reading →

Advanced Aerospace Designs released a new service bulletin on April 19, 2018, for all sport versions of the Vigil II and 2+ with firmware versions 05.05, 05.05, 06.01 and 06.02.

This does not affect any of the current model Vigil Cuatro or Military Vigil units.

According to the bulletin, the affected units will enter a CTRL-ERR mode if the air pressure is less than 300 hPa, which is at approximately 30,000 feet.

Continue reading →