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

Hi Andy,

Good point. As long as it is a parachute that I took good care of, I
imagine it would be fine after 20 years. But I also wouldn't buy a used
parachute that is that old.

Paul Remde

"Andy Durbin" wrote in message
...
At 14:14 05 July 2011, Gary wrote:
I apoligize of this has been discussed in the past. Looking for a used
chute I keep running into talk of 20 year life span for parachutes. Is
it solely up to the rigger to pack or refuse a chute that age?

Still looking for a used chute that will not break the bank after
recently buying an ASW-20.

Thanks, Gary Adams GA2


Neither I, nor to the best of my knowledge my rigger, have a concern that
my chute is over 20 years old.

I've owned it since new and know how it has been taken care of. However
I would not consider buying a chute that was over 20 years old.

Andy

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.

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

My rigger was happy to repack until 32+ years old. When the stitching on
the webbing started showing age damage - so now I need to replace it
before next repack. 1979-2011 is not bad...

The fabric and shrouds all tested fine, the container is good.
Just the stitching.

Bruce

On 2011/07/06 2:31 AM, 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.

--
Bruce Greeff
T59D #1771 & Std Cirrus #57

At 14:14 05 July 2011, Gary wrote:
I apoligize of this has been discussed in the past. Looking for a used
chute I keep running into talk of 20 year life span for parachutes. Is
it solely up to the rigger to pack or refuse a chute that age?

Still looking for a used chute that will not break the bank after
recently buying an ASW-20.

Thanks, Gary Adams GA2

I used to have my 20+ year old parachute packed by a very senior inspector
who told me that the life span of a parachute was precisely six months; the
recommended time between inspections. If the chute passed it's inspection
then there was no reason to get rid of it.
When I sold the parachute,along with a glider,the new owners took it to a
different inspector who advised them to buy a new one because of it's
age.
Best plan seems to be to find an inspector that you trust and take his
advice.

Wow! These answers are so much better than I got when I posed the question
last year! Great information. I've owned my Pioneer since about 1987 and
always taken good care of it so, as long as it passes inspection, I will
continue to use it. It's very comfortable.

I agree with others that I'd never buy a parachute that old but I know where
mine's been.


"Jim Cook" wrote in message
...
At 14:14 05 July 2011, Gary wrote:
I apoligize of this has been discussed in the past. Looking for a used
chute I keep running into talk of 20 year life span for parachutes. Is
it solely up to the rigger to pack or refuse a chute that age?

Still looking for a used chute that will not break the bank after
recently buying an ASW-20.

Thanks, Gary Adams GA2

I used to have my 20+ year old parachute packed by a very senior inspector
who told me that the life span of a parachute was precisely six months;
the
recommended time between inspections. If the chute passed it's inspection
then there was no reason to get rid of it.
When I sold the parachute,along with a glider,the new owners took it to a
different inspector who advised them to buy a new one because of it's
age.
Best plan seems to be to find an inspector that you trust and take his
advice.