Rant & Rave Blog

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →