Rant & Rave Blog

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:

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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:

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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:

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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.

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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.

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Icarus World applauds those that have made skydiving their life by working to teach, mentor and coach other skydivers. In return for their service in the sport, Icarus is offering a discount program on its main canopies as well as the Nano reserve. To apply, you just need to submit a reference letter from your DZO with your order to ChutingStar. Once approved, you'll receive the discounts noted below. You also have the option for the Icarus Logo on your canopy at no extra charge through this program. Continue reading →

The Fusion helmet is the latest skydiving and wind tunnel helmet from USA helmet manufacturer, Bonehead Composites.

Bonehead's Fusion is exactly that...a fusion of their Aero, Rev2 and and REvolve helmets.

Check out these features:

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Our ChutingStar Crew gets tons of questions on the different options and setups for Tonfly Helmets. With 6 different helmet types and numerous available configurations it's easy to get overwhelmed on where to start. ChutingStar's Henry Kochen took some time to explain the most popular configurations in this new video shot inside the Marietta GA ChutingStar Skydiving Gear SuperStore. Ordering Custom Tonfly Helmets from ChutingStar. Continue reading →