Parachute 20 year limit

qflyer1 wrote:
On Dec 3, 11:34 am, wrote:
I have a security chute that is older than twenty years of
experience. Are you guys finding that the repackers are refusing to
recertify past twenty years? Seems the manufacturers have put out
service bulletins recomending twenty year service limits. I am
interested in getting this chute repacked if possible. Please let me
know of anyone that might inspect this chute. Preferably near
Atlanta, GA.

In Atlanta, go see Red Payne at Flight Concepts
770-279-7733 - Norcross
He works on pilot rigs on Fridays

He knows his stuff. Does the rigging for MGSA.
My Strong chute is approaching 20 years and he says it's still in good
shape.

Cheers,
Tim
1FL
My rigger finally said - "last time I will repack that" on my pioneer
tri-conical. Pioneer stated that their product has no life limit. It
dates from 1974 and has passed it's tests to date. He is concerned that
after all these (34) years the porosity and hence descent rate will be
increasing.

This is a long way past the 20 year life. Tested annually for condition.

If you trust the guy with your life when he packs it - best you listen
when he says - it looks perfect, fabric is strong and clean, but is it
safe - Apparently the answer is NO!

I am in the market for a new one.

Bruce

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
qflyer1 wrote:
On Dec 3, 11:34 am, wrote:
I have a security chute that is older than twenty years of
experience. Are you guys finding that the repackers are refusing to
recertify past twenty years? Seems the manufacturers have put out
service bulletins recomending twenty year service limits. I am
interested in getting this chute repacked if possible. Please let me
know of anyone that might inspect this chute. Preferably near
Atlanta, GA.

In Atlanta, go see Red Payne at Flight Concepts
770-279-7733 - Norcross
He works on pilot rigs on Fridays

He knows his stuff. Does the rigging for MGSA.
My Strong chute is approaching 20 years and he says it's still in good
shape.

Cheers,
Tim
1FL
My rigger finally said - "last time I will repack that" on my pioneer
tri-conical. Pioneer stated that their product has no life limit. It dates
from 1974 and has passed it's tests to date. He is concerned that after
all these (34) years the porosity and hence descent rate will be
increasing.

This is a long way past the 20 year life. Tested annually for condition.

If you trust the guy with your life when he packs it - best you listen
when he says - it looks perfect, fabric is strong and clean, but is it
safe - Apparently the answer is NO!

I am in the market for a new one.

Bruce

Consider this--amortized over 20 years, a new chute is cheap insurance. You
will spend more on repacks if you do it as the law requires. Ask this--if
you have to jump, and your old chute fails, how good will you feel about how
much you saved? If you could get a brand new one right then, would you write
the check on the way down?

Hartley Falbaum
USA "KF"

HL Falbaum wrote:


Consider this--amortized over 20 years, a new chute is cheap insurance. You
will spend more on repacks if you do it as the law requires. Ask this--if
you have to jump, and your old chute fails, how good will you feel about how
much you saved? If you could get a brand new one right then, would you write
the check on the way down?

Recently, Strong refused to repack my 30 year old Strong parachute
because the *container* was suspect (some sun bleaching on the upper
straps). They suggested I buy a new container, and then they'd be happy
to repack the parachute, because the canopy was in excellent condition.

I suggest a parachute amortized over 30 years is even cheaper insurance,
and you still don't have to write check on the way down.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
HL Falbaum wrote:


Consider this--amortized over 20 years, a new chute is cheap insurance.
You will spend more on repacks if you do it as the law requires. Ask
this--if you have to jump, and your old chute fails, how good will you
feel about how much you saved? If you could get a brand new one right
then, would you write the check on the way down?

Recently, Strong refused to repack my 30 year old Strong parachute because
the *container* was suspect (some sun bleaching on the upper straps). They
suggested I buy a new container, and then they'd be happy to repack the
parachute, because the canopy was in excellent condition.

I suggest a parachute amortized over 30 years is even cheaper insurance,
and you still don't have to write check on the way down.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

If Strong will certify it, I would be happy to use it. My only point was
that if "some" rigger would repack it when another would not, I would get a
new chute. In other words, a second opinion is not necessarily better just
because it is more favorable. But I would trust the factory that made it.

I don't know what deteriorates on a chute, but the cloth of the canopy is
only one component. The stitching and the risers could be every bit as
important.

Hartley Falbaum, Georgia, USA

I hope your rigger checked for any AD notes on your parachute!
Many of these old Pioneer Parachutes had some serious directives and notices
issued on them and simply pull testing and repacking would not uncover these
defects!

There were several parachutes only a few years back that came under fire
with the acid mesh problem.....not only Security parachutes though they were
the most widely publicized. Manufactures today still test each lot of
material for this same problem and have been known to reject material that
might be questionable.
There is a possibility, though hopefully unlikely, that even parachutes
still in use out in the field may possibly still have this problem.
Know your rigger, know that he is doing all that is required to insure your
safety...it may seem like an expensive unnecessary piece or equipment and a
foolish regulation.....until of course you need to depend on it!
tim

Please visit the Wings & Wheels website at www.wingsandwheels.com



My rigger finally said - "last time I will repack that" on my pioneer
tri-conical. Pioneer stated that their product has no life limit. It dates
from 1974 and has passed it's tests to date. He is concerned that after
all these (34) years the porosity and hence descent rate will be
increasing.

This is a long way past the 20 year life. Tested annually for condition.

If you trust the guy with your life when he packs it - best you listen
when he says - it looks perfect, fabric is strong and clean, but is it
safe - Apparently the answer is NO!

I am in the market for a new one.

Bruce

I would like that you, on your next repack, ask your rigger a simple
question: "would you put this rig on your back, go up to 3000' and
make a jump with this?" You might be supprised what kind of answers
you will get.

Thanks,

Jacek "some rigger"
Pasco, WA

On Dec 4, 11:55*am, wrote:
I would like that you, on your next repack, ask your rigger a simple
question: "would you put this rig on your back, go up to 3000' and
make a jump with this?" You might be supprised what kind of answers
you will get.

The reply you would probably get is probably "**it no! I'd never jump
a round canopy", but that's what 99% of glider pilots are wearing.

Andy