Martyn Johnson wrote:
Does anyone know when our 17 year old emergency parachute
canopy will pass its use-by date? Indeed, is there
a definite lifespan, or is it down to the discretion
of the packer?

The 'chute has always been stored indoors in a dark
dry cupboard.

Also, has anyone had any experience of having a new
canopy fitted?

Lifespan depends on regulations of the country, e.g.
in Germany the lifespan of emergency parachutes is set to 15 years.

I am going to sell 3 chutes for my club right now which ended in 2005.
I am expecting 100 or up to 150 euros for each.

People often use them as decoration or for group gymnastic/dancing.

--
--Peter Hermann(49)0711-685-87244
--Nobelstr.19 Raum 0.030, D-70569 Stuttgart IHR Hoechstleistungsrechnen
--http://www.ihr.uni-stuttgart.de/ Fax 0711-89238279