What's the deal with 20 year life span on chutes?

I think you may find it's a manufacturere stipulated thing (at least in
some cases), like a TBO on engines in powered airplanes.

At 00:31 06 July 2011, Scott Alexander wrote:
Check EBay they have some good parachutes listed from time to time.


My sister and her husband are both parachute riggers. They both repair
old parachutes. I asked them last week over dinner the same question
you are asking. Both said that as long as a parachute is still in good
condition and will pass the repack inspection, not to worry.

Buy an old parachute of eBay and use your extra cash for other glider
stuff.

On Jul 6, 1:07*am, Chris Rollings wrote:
I think you may find it's a manufacturere stipulated thing (at least in
some cases), like a TBO on engines in powered airplanes.


If it were just like TBO for engines in airplanes in would *not* be
mandatory. There is no legal requirement to do anything at TBO for
an airplane operated under Part 91. Many engines run well long past
TBO and far too many fail shortly after being overhauled.

Andy

On Jul 6, 8:19*am, Andy wrote:
On Jul 6, 1:07*am, Chris *Rollings wrote:

I think you may find it's a manufacturere stipulated thing (at least in
some cases), like a TBO on engines in powered airplanes.

If it were just like TBO for engines in airplanes in would *not* be
mandatory. * There is no legal requirement to do anything at TBO for
an airplane operated under Part 91. *Many engines run well long past
TBO and far too many fail shortly after being overhauled.

Andy

The 20 year recommended life limit on Softie parachutes is also not
mandatory, merely recommended. So, it is pretty much just like engine
TBO for Part 91 operations.