Jim, I've got one I might/maybe want to sell. Truth in advertising---I say might/maybe, because its too thick for me in an RV 8. If i wasn't for that, I wouldn't want to part with it. I see you've got a 6, so I'm guessing you'd be fine. Its a Strong brand, its red, and it was manufactured in 2004. Chutes have a 20 year life span, so you'd have 8 years left on it. Repacked in December. I'm up in LZU, and fly down to Mallard's every now and then. Vic S. does my maintenance.
Give me a buzz if you're interested.
Don
H 770 205 2454
C 404 550 2163
FYI:
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. 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. Some parachute riggers may refuse to recertify your parachute simply because of its age.
Many riggers won?t repack rigs that are from the mid-80's and earlier because of their design and/or materials, not because of their age. Rigs built since the late 80's are almost identical (functionally and materially) to rigs being built today.If you purchase a rig in good condition that is 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.
Hi Ron, I am not discounting what you say. I got the info from my pararigger. Here's what he said. A parachute could be fine after 20 years, BUT, its made of material. Material can rot tear, just get old. As a pararigger, he would have to go over every square inch of the chute and lines with a microscope just to make sure there was no tears or weakness anywhere that might rip should you use your chute.
You are correct. However, a new canopy can be ruined in a matter of weeks if exposed to moisture and improperly stored. So, again, the age of a chute is no determination of it's condition. "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."
You are correct. However, a new canopy can be ruined in a matter of weeks if exposed to moisture and improperly stored. So, again, the age of a chute is no determination of it's condition. "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."
OK Ron, I just sold my too thick for an RV 8 parachute. You've got an 8 and a parachute. What's the thinnest skinniest parachute out there for an 8 that doesn't push you 3 1/2 inches forward? ( Would like to keep my knee caps if I actually had to bail out.)
OK Ron, I just sold my too thick for an RV 8 parachute. You've got an 8 and a parachute. What's the thinnest skinniest parachute out there for an 8 that doesn't push you 3 1/2 inches forward? ( Would like to keep my knee caps if I actually had to bail out.)