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  #11  
Old 01-12-2010, 07:24 PM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
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If you are not a qualified jumper, getting a square versus a round may be an unwise choice (serious injury on landing).
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  #12  
Old 01-12-2010, 08:18 PM
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ronschreck ronschreck is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkilby View Post
Would you wear an older parachute (+ 20 years old)? Or is this a case of no way would I buy/wear a 20 year old parachute? Assuming it has been stored properly and inspected and repacked on schedule. Just curious what others think.
This is from Allen Silver of Silver Parachute Sales:

"There is no hard and fast FAA rule as to the service life, in years, for your parachute.
The FAA rules basically say that every 120 days your parachute is no longer airworthy and must be
recertified. As an FAA certified master rigger I feel you should not have your chute packed after 20
years of age. As a member of the Parachute Industry Association (PIA) I've heard talk among several
riggers and manufacturers of parachutes and they agree that this should not exceed 20 years,
regardless of the condition of the parachute. Throughout the industry, particularly because of the
threat of lawsuits, everyone has the tendency to lean towards the conservative side."

Allen has over 35 years of experience in the field. I would trust his judgement and advice.
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  #13  
Old 01-13-2010, 01:04 AM
BASE1127 BASE1127 is offline
 
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Default 180 Day Repack Cycle

Take note that the FAR http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFar.nsf/FARSBySectLookup/105.43 has changed and the Repack Cycle has been extended to 180 days. There was an error in the ASA printing of the 2010 FAR's and this change was not included. Also, many online versions of the FAR are yet to be updated.

That said, I'm a professional skydiver and I own and regularly use parachutes with over 1500 jumps on them. I've jumped a few antique (20+ year old) parachutes as well.

Parachutes, like airplanes, are extremely well designed and tested before being certified. If you treat your parachute like you treat your airplane, then it should be perfectly safe for many years. Manufacturers unfortunately have no control over how their parachutes are treated in the field & I think a life limit is in order.
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  #14  
Old 01-13-2010, 03:50 AM
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ronschreck ronschreck is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BASE1127 View Post
Take note that the FAR http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFar.nsf/FARSBySectLookup/105.43 has changed and the Repack Cycle has been extended to 180 days. There was an error in the ASA printing of the 2010 FAR's and this change was not included. Also, many online versions of the FAR are yet to be updated.
You are correct. The repack cycle has been extended to 180 days. Silver's web site has not been updated either. It is important to note that a growing number of riggers will NOT repack a rig that is over 20 years old. Before purchasing such a rig it would be adviseable to find out if your local rigger will repack it.
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  #15  
Old 01-13-2010, 08:38 AM
the_other_dougreeves the_other_dougreeves is offline
 
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A pull test is a must for an older chute. Your rigger will be able to do this.

20 years seems to be the consensus for chute life, but there are a variety of opinions. The suggestion to check with your local rigger is a good one. The one in our glider club won't pack chutes more than 20 years old.

I would suspect how it's used also would impact the chute's life. As Indiana Jones says, "It's not the years, it's the mileage". Chutes that are worn 40-50 times a year as emergency chutes, often for hours at a time, in sweaty conditions (like our club's chutes), are probably going to wear a bit more than ones that get used twice a year.

TODR
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  #16  
Old 01-13-2010, 09:35 AM
1:1 Scale 1:1 Scale is offline
 
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Default Exactly

And while you can do a pull test on the canopy fabric itself, there is no non-destructive testing method for the harness, which will get by far more wear from dirt/grime/oils/UV than the parachute itself. The harnesses are generally VERY overbuilt (up to 3x's as strong as measured drop tests), but it takes the brunt of the trauma in day to day use. The parachute usually lives a pretty good life packed away in a safe place. To me, a good compromise to service limits would be recommending the replacement of the harness after a set time and recertify the canopy. Unfortunately, personal judgement seems to be giving way to hard and fast "rules".

Heck, I'm building the plane, maybe I'll build my bailout rig too
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Last edited by 1:1 Scale : 01-13-2010 at 09:37 AM. Reason: hit enter too soon
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