Older parachutes?

bkilby · #1 05-23-2008, 09:09 AM

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.

n5lp · #2 05-23-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkilby

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.

Yes, I would and yes I do. Parachutes are like airplanes, if they are inspected and repaired by a qualified person they should be good regardless of age.

JoeBlank · #3 05-23-2008, 09:41 AM

If I knew that it was stored properly (wasn't exposed to UV or moisture), knew the owner, and had a reserve packing card that showed the repack cycle history, maintenance, etc, I might consider using it. I would definitely also have an experienced rigger look at the canopy, harness, and container as a pre-buy inspection, and also determine if there were any other issues. Especially a rigger that has been around +20 years... I know for a fact that back in the '80's there were some canopies that were treated with a fire retardant (by mistake) that was also used on tent fabric consequently weakening the materials. Those canopies should have been grounded and had the lines cut off them. Who know where those canopies really ended up though...

Just my $.02

n468ac · #4 05-23-2008, 09:52 AM

http://www.silverparachutes.com/

Allen has alot of good information on his site. "Is Your Life Worth $80.00 A Year?" This is one reason i got a new chute from him. I don't want to jump only to see the chute not work ... my life is worth the full price of the chute.

1:1 Scale · #5 05-23-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Blank

I would definitely also have an experienced rigger look at the canopy, harness, and container as a pre-buy inspection, and also determine if there were any other issues. Especially a rigger that has been around +20 years... I know for a fact that back in the '80's there were some canopies that were treated with a fire retardant (by mistake) that was also used on tent fabric consequently weakening the materials. Those canopies should have been grounded and had the lines cut off them. Who know where those canopies really ended up though...

Joe, I have a SAC in a box in my shop right now, I've even used it before!

The biggest issue with older parachute equipment is that there's no non-destructive way to test the materials for UV degredation, so that's why some companies and riggers put a time limit on parachute equipment. Simply handling the parachute fabric can be harmful due to the oils and salt in perspiration.

gmcjetpilot · #6 05-23-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkilby

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.

It is not age its condition.

It is recommended you never leave your parachute in your plane.

You should store it as much as possible in temp, humidity controlled environment, like in your house.

You should also have a container for it. Old luggage makes a fine case to store it in; I especially like an old hard case style luggage.

Ditto on: http://www.silverparachutes.com/ Allen's site. I have been to a few of his lectures. I have posted many links from his site. Well worth a read through. He's a real jumper that caters to emergency parachute crowd. For a round chute there is no need to ever jump, to use it in an emergency, BUT!!! you better do some reading, thinking and dry runs on the ground. Read my previous post on the subject.

My "silk" is military surplus 28 foot C-9 in paraphernalia softie shell/harness. The canopy is in perfect condition after many years. I was told there was no life limit, and military canopies have higher opening speed limits.

Why would there be any UV damage?

Are you storing it in a sealed luggage container in your house? If you leave it laying around in the sun, dirt, heat and humidity, than it might not last very long.

Of course I never have "used it" except to get packed on occasion.

mbell · #7 05-24-2008, 02:17 PM

I have bought several chutes from Allen Silver and respect his opinion. As I recall from our last conversation any chute over 20 years old is only good as a car (or plane) cover.

1:1 Scale · #8 05-26-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

It is not age its condition.

It is recommended you never leave your parachute in your plane.

Why would there be any UV damage?

I tend to agree with you, George, but the harness will get UV exposure every time it is worn, and with many colors of webbing, it is hard to tell how much exposure it has had, and even then, some dye lots hold color better than others. There are ongoing debates in the parachute industry about life limits and liability exposure. It seems that "personnal experience and judgement" won't be much of a defense if a parachute rigger is drawn into court if one of his customers dies.

Personally, I would wear a harness/container/parachute that was over 20 years old if it met my needs. However, I would be the one packing it, so there would be no one to sue if it failed

To me, it's a game of odds- the odds of needing to leave you plane in flight are pretty low, as are the odds of the parachute failing after you get out of the plane. You're surely safer wearing a 1930's parachute than you are wearing nothing at all

rmarshall234 · #9 01-12-2010, 05:19 PM

If it's made from modern materials (nylon) and has a current repack by a qualified rigger I'd say absolutely. An inspection and simple pull-test would determine it's integrity.

(30 years of jump experience and senior parachute rigger)

skyfrog · #10 01-12-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n468ac

http://www.silverparachutes.com/

Allen has alot of good information on his site. "Is Your Life Worth $80.00 A Year?" This is one reason i got a new chute from him. I don't want to jump only to see the chute not work ... my life is worth the full price of the chute.

I've heard Allen speak at Sun-N-Fun and agree that the purchase of a new, or modern chute is a better choice.

First off, I would say that a properly packed and stored chute will probably work fine. But think about that... *probably*. Materials break down over time, and while a rigger will check the material, a weak area may go undetected. I've jumped old sport chutes and never had a problem, but then I had a reserve chute.

Secondly, the technology of the materials have advanced, making for a lighter and smaller packing chute. I'm amazed at the size of the new chutes.

Finally, when purchasing new, you can get one sized to your weight and even get a square over a round. That's what I did...