Approved Tandem
Parachute Modifications

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.

28 May 1992
Type / Aircare

RIGGERS 28th May 92

Initial presentation of ‘Aircare’ Tandem to the Committee.

7. A.O.B.

  1. Nicky Johnston presented a Tandem parachute to the Committee which he had manufactured himself. The Committee requested the opinion of an independent Advanced Rigger to test stitch patterns etc. The equipment was being presented to STC that evening.

Please click here to download Form 212 – Approved Tandem Parachute Equipment Modifications.

9 July 1992
Type / Aircare

RIGGERS 9th Jul 92

Inspection report received from TSE about Nicky Johnston’s Tandem equipment.

1. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE RIGGERS MEETING OF THE 28th MAY 1992

7 (ii) T. Butler informed the meeting that a report had been received by TSE with regard to Nicky Johnston’s Tandem equipment and stated that it had also been examined by an independent Advanced Rigger; Albert Hooker who was satisfied with the equipment.

26 November 1992
Type / Aircare

RIGGERS 26th Nov 92

Acceptance of Nicky Johnston’s Tandem equipment.

3. TANDEM EQUIPMENT – N. JOHNSTON

There had been several questions raised since N. Johnston had been given permission to use the Tandem equipment manufactured by himself as it was now believed by the Committee that the reserve container differed slightly from the Vector system.

N. Johnston was present at the meeting to answer any technical questions regarding the equipment and informed those present that at the time he had stated that the pack was narrower, fatter and deeper, but that the actual volume had not changed although the reserve and main containers were slightly tighter the only result of which made packing slightly harder.

Nicky informed the meeting that he had completed 5 test jumps on the reserve section of the equipment and gave details of those he had completed to date. He also stated that he had now carried out approximately 60 jumps on the equipment carrying tandem passengers.

Some discussion took place regarding this item and some concern was expressed by those present that only 5 test jumps had been done on the reserve section of the equipment.

After further discussion it was felt that Nicky had fulfilled all the requirements asked of him by the Committee and it was therefore proposed by L. Thomas and seconded by J. Curtis that N. Johnston’s equipment be accepted for use.

Carried
17 March 1994
Type / General

STC 17th Mar 94

Log card/record of descent must be kept.

2. MATTERS ARISING FROM…

  1. That all Tandem equipment regardless if it is Club Equipment or personal equipment should have a log card/record of descents. A manifest is not regarded as a record of descents for a piece of equipment.It was proposed by Tye Boughen and seconded by Trevor Dobson that the above recommendation be accepted.

    Carried Unanimously

    This proposal has also been included in the Operations Manual.

  2. Changes to manufacturer’s specifications on Tandem Equipment must be approved by the BPA (via Riggers Committee and STC).It was proposed by Jane Buckle and seconded by Andy Guest that the above recommendation be accepted.

    Carried Unanimously

    The above is also included in the new Operations Manual.

17 March 1994
Type / General

STC 17th Mar 94

Changes to manufacturer’s specs MUST be approved by BPA.

3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES…

(para.7) STC were asked what were the correct procedures for getting Tandem equipment accepted. It was stated that equipment should be presented to Riggers Committee and STC, although a report from an Advanced Rigger may be useful.

6. APPROVAL OF RE-WRITTEN….

(Last para) It was unanimously agreed by the Committee that any Tandem Equipment in current use may continue to be used if alterations to Manufacturers specifications have been made until the next Riggers Committee Meeting when that equipment will need to be accepted. This does not apply to black plastic coated ripcords, which cannot be used as drogue release ripcords.

5 May 1994
Type / General

RIGGERS 5th May 94

Black Teflon cables CANNOT be used on Tandem equipment.

2. MINUTES AND MATTERS…

John Curtis advised the Committee that he had come across a set of Tandem equipment, which was fitted with a black plastic coated ripcord, which had been banned. He wished it clarified that black teflon cables on Tandem kit CANNOT be used.

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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.

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