120 day repack
By law a parachute must be inspected and repacked every 120 days. There is a request for comment from the FAA to extend that to 180 day repack cycle. It would be good to follow those recomendations as a lot of parachutes use rubberbands to stow the lines. Also fuel or oil can degrade the canopy material causing a malfunction if used. On the other hand parachutes do not turn into sand if they go beyond the 120 day cycle, but if you get ramped then you could be hosed. Please do not forge the riggers signature either as you are putting his or her rating on the line if anything happens to you. I know it is just another expense of the hobby, but get your parachutes repacked. There have been many times when riggers find tools left in a pack job from other riggers. Sometimes it has resulted in needless deaths.
As far as choosing a parachute for pattern work or altitude cruise goes, you can get one parachute that will suffice for both. According to the TSO a parachute is required to open in so many feet so it really depends on when you deploy and your airspeed as to how fast it will open or how low you will be to the ground.
There are different TSO ratings to be aware of too. Some parachutes are rated under the C tso and others are rated under the D TSO. The D tso is more stingent so if I had my choice I would choose a D TSO rated reserve (my skydiving reserve is D TSO rated).
Storage conditions for your parachute will determine how long it will last you. If you leave it in your plane and park it out side where the sun beats down on it all day long, your parachute may become un-airworthy in a short amount of time (a year or so). Remember these things are made of nylon and are susceptable to UV damage. It is said that 15 minutes in the sun is eaqual to the same wear and tear as one jump for a canopy. I live in Colorado and am very hesitant to leave my canopy unpacked in the sun for more than a few minutes.
Dust and dirt are not good things for a parachute system either. Small rocks can get lodged in the cable housing that contains your ripcord. This could potentially cause a no pull situation if it needed to be used. Another reason to follow the repack cycle. Also dust and dirt in the webbing can cause damage to the harnes over time. In webbing the dirt gets into the weave and the movement of the weave causes th edirt particles to start tearing up the webbing from the inside. This is what destroys many parachute lines on skydiving canopies. Animals can be fairly destructive to parachutes too. I think that it is geneticaly predetermined that dogs and cats want to pee on parachutes. They just can't help themselves
. If this happens get your parachute washed by your rigger. I'm sure you wouldn't want to go flying on a long X country and smell that all the way.
All in all I treat my parachutes like a child. I keep it clean and do not abuse it by throwing it around, letting it get sunburned or micturated upon. I also give it regular check ups. I do my own rigging so it doesn't cost me anything.
Another thing for you to think about is getting your rigger ticket. If you can build a plane then you should be able to sew a patch, pack a canopy, and take a 50 question test
. The best part about it is that they give you the instruction manual to use while you repack!
Choosing your rigger is a very personal choice, just like choosing your doctor. Remember not all riggers are created equal. Some of them specialize in sport repacks, and others specialize in bail out rigs. Some things to ask your rigger would be:
1. How many repacks has he or she done? (it only takes 25 repacks to get your rating.)
2. Are they a master rigger? (Only a master rigger can do reserve repairs and harness repairs without supervision)
3. Are they rated for the type or container you have (seat packs require a different rating).
4. Will they allow you to watch them repack your reserve? (this is a biggy folks! I suggest that you do it at least once, and if they don't want you to watch then walk away and go immediately to another rigger!!!!!!!!!!!!)
5. Do they have any confirmed saves? (This is not so important, although if you do use your bail out rig then be prepared to purchase your rigger a bottle of their choice. It is kind of an unwritten law to hook your rigger up for saving your life. Think of it as manlaw. I have saved myself a few times and bought myself a case of Sam Adams each time as a token of gratitude for myself
).
I hope this helps out, and if it persuades even one of you to get your reserve repacked and watch your rigger do it then I have accomplished something good!
Grant