Parachute repack questions

I'm going to watch my parachute get repacked this evening. The local Master
Rigger is teaching a rigging class and I'm invited to watch him repack my
'chute in front of the class.

Can I ask him any questions for r.a.s.?

Bill Daniels

Yes, ask him how he is going to comply with the regulation:

No certificated parachute rigger may pack a parachute that has not
been thoroughly dried and aired.

Normal manufacturer's instructions call for an 8 hour airing.

Perhaps he is airing it in advance? Hope so.

Bill Z. Master Rigger




On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 20:38:37 GMT, "Bill Daniels"
wrote:

I'm going to watch my parachute get repacked this evening. The local Master
Rigger is teaching a rigging class and I'm invited to watch him repack my
'chute in front of the class.

Can I ask him any questions for r.a.s.?

Bill Daniels

"Bill Zaleski" wrote in message
...
Yes, ask him how he is going to comply with the regulation:

No certificated parachute rigger may pack a parachute that has not
been thoroughly dried and aired.

Normal manufacturer's instructions call for an 8 hour airing.

Perhaps he is airing it in advance? Hope so.

Bill Z. Master Rigger


Now, why would you assume that? Do you have some reason to think that he
wouldn't comply? Is there something about your profession you want to tell
us?

I left it in his loft yesterday for drying.

Bill Daniels

Ask him about aging canopy problems. Is there an official "striking" date/age
or is it left up to the individaul packer.
GA

Perfect, Bill. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. It's just that I
have seen many times in 35 years of rigging that this rule is not
always observed or even thought of at times. Good luck with your
repack and flights!


On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 22:00:16 GMT, "Bill Daniels"
wrote:


"Bill Zaleski" wrote in message
.. .
Yes, ask him how he is going to comply with the regulation:

No certificated parachute rigger may pack a parachute that has not
been thoroughly dried and aired.

Normal manufacturer's instructions call for an 8 hour airing.

Perhaps he is airing it in advance? Hope so.

Bill Z. Master Rigger


Now, why would you assume that? Do you have some reason to think that he
wouldn't comply? Is there something about your profession you want to tell
us?

I left it in his loft yesterday for drying.

Bill Daniels

Bill Zaleski wrote in message . ..
Yes, ask him how he is going to comply with the regulation:

No certificated parachute rigger may pack a parachute that has not
been thoroughly dried and aired.

Normal manufacturer's instructions call for an 8 hour airing.

Perhaps he is airing it in advance? Hope so.

Bill Z. Master Rigger



I have had my chutes packed without 8 hour airing. I looked through
the manuals for my Strong 303 and my Security 350. Although both
manuals contain detailed packing instructions, I found no reference to
a required airing period. If an 8 hour airing is required where would
it be specified?


Andy

It is an industry standard best practice and can be found in most of
the military and civilian documentaion. The word "thoroughly" as per
the FAR's implies just that, and is not necessarilly an interval
specifically specified by the manufacturer. I have known and worked
with Ted Strong for over 20 years. He will tell you 8 hours minimum.
Opening (fill) time of the canopy varies with moisture content of the
fabric.


On 22 Apr 2004 07:01:16 -0700, (Andy Durbin)
wrote:

Bill Zaleski wrote in message . ..
Yes, ask him how he is going to comply with the regulation:

No certificated parachute rigger may pack a parachute that has not
been thoroughly dried and aired.

Normal manufacturer's instructions call for an 8 hour airing.

Perhaps he is airing it in advance? Hope so.

Bill Z. Master Rigger



I have had my chutes packed without 8 hour airing. I looked through
the manuals for my Strong 303 and my Security 350. Although both
manuals contain detailed packing instructions, I found no reference to
a required airing period. If an 8 hour airing is required where would
it be specified?


Andy

Bill Zaleski wrote:

It is an industry standard best practice and can be found in most of
the military and civilian documentaion. The word "thoroughly" as per
the FAR's implies just that, and is not necessarilly an interval
specifically specified by the manufacturer. I have known and worked
with Ted Strong for over 20 years. He will tell you 8 hours minimum.
Opening (fill) time of the canopy varies with moisture content of the
fabric.

Does it matter what the ambient humidity is? Florida can be 60%+
relative humidity and "airing" the chute might make it damper than a
chute kept in it's container in Tonopah, Nevada, or other low humidity
place.
--
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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

I have never seen any mention of ambient humidity in relation to
airing/drying, but of course the % will effect it some. As long as it
is not noticably damp, I don't give it much consideration. Actually,
a humid day makes the packing much easier, as the pack volume is
decreased by the amount of air that you can squeeze out of the canopy.


On Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:32:52 -0700, Eric Greenwell
wrote:

Bill Zaleski wrote:

It is an industry standard best practice and can be found in most of
the military and civilian documentaion. The word "thoroughly" as per
the FAR's implies just that, and is not necessarilly an interval
specifically specified by the manufacturer. I have known and worked
with Ted Strong for over 20 years. He will tell you 8 hours minimum.
Opening (fill) time of the canopy varies with moisture content of the
fabric.

Does it matter what the ambient humidity is? Florida can be 60%+
relative humidity and "airing" the chute might make it damper than a
chute kept in it's container in Tonopah, Nevada, or other low humidity
place.

Bill Zaleski wrote in message . ..
It is an industry standard best practice and can be found in most of
the military and civilian documentaion. The word "thoroughly" as per
the FAR's implies just that, and is not necessarilly an interval
specifically specified by the manufacturer. I have known and worked
with Ted Strong for over 20 years. He will tell you 8 hours minimum.
Opening (fill) time of the canopy varies with moisture content of the
fabric.



How does the opening time vary with fabric moisture content? Does it
open faster dry or moist?



Andy