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I know there are smugglers rigs that have no metal and im wondering why normal rigs have the metal rings (not the release ones, but the chest and hip ones).

I mean, I would think it would be lighter, more confortable, cheaper, and stronger (think slinks).

Why all the metal?

Generally speaking, I'd say it's because all our riggers "grew up" skydiving, and use skydiving suppliers for parts.

So it's easier/cheaper/more familiar for the manufacturers to use standard skydiving fittings.

I bet you could get a zero metal rig built for you, if you asked.

There is a rule of thumb that says you should avoid metal-to-metal contact and avoid nylon-to-nylon contact where possible, especially where motion is required. That rule is certainly not a "hard" rule. There are many examples in which the rule-of-thumb is broken. ie. larkshead bridle connections to PCs and Slinks are good examples. Climbers use slings between carabiners on protection, but still use carabiner-to-anchor connections, too.

I think it primarily comes down to a wear issue. Smugglers can probably afford to have a new rig built for every jump. How many skydivers (let alone BASE jumpers) can say that?

Mark

The metal of the rig allows the jumper more options than a hardware less rig. For example, with out hardware, the rig must be fitted exactly to the jumpers legs and will not comfortably allow the jumper to wear thicker clothing. Hardware also allows the jumper to Cut way if needed, or to quickly change out canopys
Also, the hardware used as the guide ring on the riser is critical to successful operation. If the guide ring on the riser allows too much deformation of the steering toggle during deployment then the toggle may not release causing a toggle hang up. Or if the material used to replace metal is too brittle, the ring could shatter and cause a violently off heading opening. Depending on the circumstances of the jump this factor could be fatal.
For the rig to be truly stealthy the rig has to be built to tightly fit the canopy going into it. Changing sizes up and down are not usually an option
I have designed and built a functioning rig that is completely with out hardware but it is a very special rig that could only be used by me (because of it's fit) and, is not something I would produce for the masses due to the potienial for mistakes with it's use. Build them for select individuals maybe. Build them for he masses, no way.
Besides if everyone starts getting by the metal detectors then soon they'll catch on and I'll get caught.

Forgive my ignorance, but where is getting past metal detectors necessary? I'm thinking maybe to get inside (and subsequently on top of) high security B's?

Nowhere, of course. Why would anyone want a BASE rig with no metal?

Have you heard the one about the guys who put their rigs straight through the security X ray machines? And got away with it?

i did that 2 not even 2 month ago,why would they worry(oh and i DO have metal in my harness)

ps,just for the record it were in the airport,1 guy mentioned that i had a parachute whith me,in the higher secured airport it were never mentioned,and i carryed it on board(oh the plane which i didnt jump from)

No I haven't, but it sounds like a good one

Yes, I understand the concept, thanks, but I was trying to think of a case where it would be necessary to actually carry a rig through a scanner period. On an airliner, I'm guessing you could just be honest about what it is (a rig is not illegal right?) though it wouldn't be as easy as a skydiving rig, but at the same time there will be no AAD to make it look like a bomb. For normal every day toting of the rig I don't see many cases where you'd go through a scanner short of the example I suggested, and even in that case I'd imagine there would be more preferable ways to get to the exit that avoided manned entry points altogether. But then again I'm not a BASE jumper and have no idea... that's why I asked. I understand if you don't want to answer. But I didn't see the harm in naming generic hypothetical situations.

if the ask i just tell them that its a rescure parachute system for pilots,they usaly buy that one,i dont really want to tell any in a airport that im transporting BASE gear to a given part of the world(you could be unlucky to meet a guy that knew what that were about..)

I dont think he's talking Airports

This is the BASE forum isn't it????

Exactly...

It has been successfully repeated at another object by a different crew. Better yet, ask how they got a couple more rigs through at the same time - that's just a testament to stupidity of rent-a-cops. Nothing better than security personally carrying rigs in for you ;-)

bsbd!

Yuri.

sorry gyuys in DK we aint used to all that violenss,so we dont have metal detectors at our B´s

yeah right i miss under stood it