Emergency Parachute questions

I can recommend Para Phernalia and their Softie line of parachutes. Of course,
I'm in Washington only about 300 miles from them..

I got a typical mini-softie backpack with a Pitts S-1 that I bought about 12
years ago, and promptly sent it home to Para Phernalia for inspection and
re-pack. When I switched to an S-2B, after much research I bought two Wedge
Softie backpacks. I love 'em...the B has plenty of legroom, and the Wedge tilts
me back just enough to be really comfortable. I've made several long trips, 10
flight hours in a day, and been very comfortable.

Especially if you're flying an S-2B, seriously consider the wedge, it really
makes a difference. I suppose that the other parachute companies make similar
packs, but I've had excellent service from Para Phernalia. They have a web site
at:

http://www.softieparachutes.com/

I originally had my Wedge's made with the "standard" harness, but discovered
(takes me a while to catch on) that between the Advanced sequences and the
Hooker harness, the buckles were causing more bleeding than was really
necessary. Dan changed my back-seat Wedge to the aerobatic harness with buckles
on the chest. No more bleeding; just a few rasberries early in the season. I'd
recommend the standard harness for the front seat chute, as it's easier to put
on, unless you like to punish your passengers.

Doug Sowder