On Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 9:28:48 AM UTC-7, John Huthmaker wrote:
Well its pretty obvious that the responses here can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some have very coherent well thought through responses that support their position. Others seem much less so.

I appreciate everyone chiming in here. For those who choose not to fly with one, I fully respect your decision. I get that they may be uncomfortable. But I've made up my mind that I do personally want to start using one. I have to imagine that I start using one right from the beginning, it'll feel weird without one.

I spoke to my instructor yesterday, and he uses one. My soaring club shares an airport with a skydiving company. So he introduced me to a rigger, and even recommended jumping with one. I tend to think he likes using one, but has had few students who had the desire.

I have a beautiful wife at home, and allot of good years left on this earth. I'd never let a little danger take me away from an exciting sport. But if there is a way to make something safer, I'm all for it.

Well John, in twenty years you have the opportunity to re-access your wife and your life to decide if you want purchase another chute when the useful life of this chute has expired. We had this debate a few months ago. I was surprised at the number of pilots that took a look around at the state of affairs in their lives and decided to stay with the chute that has been sweated on for 20 years and deemed expired by the manufacturer and Parachute Riggers Association.
Glad you know the value of your life.