Longer parachute repack cycle petition (USA)

Further evidence if required of longer repack times.

My own club in the UK use sports parachutes made by
Thomas Sports UK and following negotiations with the
manufacturer the recommendation for club 'chutes is
6 months.

The 'chutes are stored in a warmed cabinet and inspected
before each days use. The are used on a daily basis
and as club equipment they get some rough handling.
Any faults and the equipment is sent for a repack.

This practice has been in use for well over 10 years.
Does it work?

About 4 years ago a member of the club had a problem
with an ASK 18 and jumped at around 1500 max AGL.
Eye witnesses suggest that is was lower. The chute
did its job and the pilot landed with no injuries.


The incident was documented as is the repack history
of the parachute, which incidentally is back in service.


Dave.

At 19:48 28 October 2005, Eric Greenwell wrote:
I just read in the October Soaring that the FAA will
issue a NPRM in
response to a petition from many organizations, including
the SSA. The
petition asks the repack cycle be changed from 120
days to 180 days, a
worthwhile improvement, I think. To view the petition
and the FAA's
response, go to

http://dms.dot.gov/search/searchFormSimple.cfm

and enter docket number 21829.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA