Would you be interested in an Aerobatic Clinic?

[ronschreck]

Some of you may be interested in buying a used chute. Can't tell you how many times I have heard people tell me that a chute's useful life is 20 years.

I just ran across this from the Pennsylvania Parachute Company web site:

"There is an urban legend out there that states that a parachute has a service life of 20 years. THERE IS NO BASIS IN FACT FOR THIS. A parachute system?s airworthiness is affected by abuse caused by the owner and the number of jumps on the unit. Parachutes can typically handle hundreds of jumps .

Recently, the United States Parachute Association requested clarification on this matter from the FAA.
On August 21, 2012 the FAA replied. The FAA stated that any parachute certified under standards TSO- C23b, TSO C-23c and TSO C-23d did not have a maximum service life. Continued service life of any given parachute unit is to be established by a certificated parachute rigger at the time of inspection and repack of the parachute. No pilot emergency parachutes currently available, have a maximum service life under these criteria. Military parachutes fall under TSO C23b.

If a parachute manufacture wants to establish a maximum service life after receiving their TSO under the above series of TSO?s they must submit their request, with corresponding supporting data, to the FAA for review and request that an Airworthiness Directive be issued by the FAA for that model. This has not happened. A simple recommendation of service life added by the manufacturer to their manual after their TSO has been issued has been deemed by the FAA as a non-regulatory requirement. Continued service life for any given parachute assembly then, is to be determined by the certificated parachute rigger upon inspection of the parachute in question.

If a service life is to be assigned to a model parachute it has to be included as part of the initial TSO process for that model with corresponding data to support that request unless a subsequent AD is issued.

Any parachute rigger that simply refuses to recertify your parachute simply because of its age is doing you a disservice. Find another parachute rigger."

[bill@fusion4.net]

Originally Posted by ronschreck

Some of you may be interested in buying a used chute. Can't tell you how many times I have heard people tell me that a chute's useful life is 20 years.

"There is an urban legend out there that states that a parachute has a service life of 20 years. THERE IS NO BASIS IN FACT FOR THIS. A parachute system?s airworthiness is affected by abuse caused by the owner and the number of jumps on the unit. Parachutes can typically handle hundreds of jumps .

If a service life is to be assigned to a model parachute it has to be included as part of the initial TSO process for that model with corresponding data to support that request unless a subsequent AD is issued.

Any parachute rigger that simply refuses to recertify your parachute simply because of its age is doing you a disservice. Find another parachute rigger."

As a rigger, and active skydiver since the early 90's. I will add to this. Back in the 90's many riggers would not pack rigs older than 20 years for several reasons. First is that many of the parachutes from the 70's were silk, and did degrade over time. Also there was a lot of advancement in design from the 70's to the late 80's that increased reliability & safety of the rigs (harness & container ).

I won't pack rigs that are from the mid-80's back just because of their design, not specifically because of the age. Rigs built since the late 80's are almost identical (functionally and materials) to rigs being built today.

So I would say if you bought a good condition rig that was up to 25 years old, it will probably still be serviceable for many more years, as it's design is still the same as ones being made today.

Just one riggers opinion.

[RV7Ron]

Most definitely interested, as long as its not too far to travel...and what a great idea. I have 6 hrs dual acro in a Pitts and a Giles and have volunteered at a few IAC contests while my plane was being built so I know how it all works. I plan to fly in at least a couple competitions next year with my RV. I have been reluctant to jump into acro in my newly finished RV however...and its hard to find someone that is experienced in RV acro to do a transition flight.

[Bailey007]

Yes, Certainly.

[fl-mike]

On a related note: market watchers are noticing a sharp spike in demand for used parachutes....

[keithschult]

I'm interested for basic skills and safety. I do not have a chute at this time.

[David-aviator]

My bucket list does not include aerobatics at age 75. ☺️
Have fun you-all young bucks.

[WillyEyeBall]

David, I'm only 2 years younger, and just pasted my 3rd class physical today. On my bucket list is to compete in my RV at 75, which will occur early in 2016. Over time and lots of practice, it seems my body likes to be pushed and pulled to the aircraft limits. And yes, it is addictive.
Bill
RV-4 slider
lower AL

[Ulrich]

I'll go...and I have a parachute.

[mv031161]

Ron..let me know if you need help from our chapter. I can have the box open at KLKR anytime which is pretty good size and of IAC shape. it can be shrunk as you progress to work w/whoever decides to take it further.

Let me know. I,m in to help!