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This is the Wills Wing Team Pilots competition blog. Here you can keep up with the various members of our team as they progress through the competition season.
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Progress

Dec 5

Written by: Jeff Shapiro
12/5/2009 8:19 AM 



Been going hard to get this proto done. I'm trying to build a close, working example of what will eventually be the comp production model before I leave at the end of the month for Forbes, OZ. It's been a fun process solving problems realized on the last try and designing a way for a pile of textiles and components to turn into a tool for the greatest possible performance advantage in a harness. It's a goal and work in progress but so far, the results are encouraging.



After Adams free fall deployment in Australia a few weeks ago, I am exploring the idea of using load limiting "screamers" for a connection between the harness and chute bridle. My hope is to reduce the impact force and make a safer deployment situation without reducing opening time. I've used screamers for years while climbing ice or any time the gear is "light" and believe in their effectiveness from experience. Pearson has had interaction with the folks at Yates over the years and after I built an example of the screamer I would like to use in the harness, he sent it to the Yates facility who were extremely gracious, agreeing to test it for us and to give us the valuable information derived from a test to failure.



Even after I sent it off, I couldn't resist building one to test myself with a 5' static drop. The screamer did exactly what it was supposed to, reducing the impact force on a fall that would have normally broke me in half;-) After some laughs with Gibisch, I jumped and responded to the result with one word.......Cool!



Old photo of "seam welded" chute zippers. The welder has involved a learning curve but it sure makes for clean lines

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5 comment(s) so far...

Re: Progress

Bout time you updated us on this! What do you have a day job and a family life or something ; )

Looking great Jeff! I am most jealous of your awesome workshop!

By Dave Aldrich on   12/6/2009 9:16 AM

Re: Progress

Jeff,
What a wicked nice looking shop man. Can't wait to see what you have finished this spring. Good luck down under.

By Greg B on   12/9/2009 12:56 PM

Re: Progress

Jeff,

I am in the market for a harness and would like to know if you think they will be available for the coming season?

By Matt Melvin on   12/15/2009 4:53 PM

Contact

Dear Jeff,
I did think to speak with you in Forbes or in Bogong but you aren't here in Bogogng.
Please contact me at my address e-mail francorinaldi@cr-flysystems.it
BR
Francesco

By Francesco R on   1/16/2010 6:52 PM

Re: Progress

Any idea when your harness will be ready for production? 2mos or longer??

By Rich Hiegel on   2/11/2010 9:53 AM

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