Judy Ruprecht wrote:
At 18:00 08 February 2004, Mark James Boyd wrote:
I've seen a lot of chutes (many legally expired) in
single seat
gliders as well. The FAA seems to leave these guys
alone,
recognising that since no chute at all is required,
having an expired one in a single seater is not exactly
front page news...

Geez, I don't know any FAA types ignoring 61.307(a)...
whenever a parachute is carried in any aircraft and
made 'available for emergency use,' it must be in current
pack.

Er...I wasn't suggesting they are ignoring 61.307(a),
just that their investigation of:

recurring complaints
suspected violations of FARs
and special emphasis areas

keeps them pretty busy with more obvious dangers,

and since it is rare that an inspector
will observe it unsafe, be notified by ATC of
it being unsafe, or find it in a routine inspection
are low (given the part 91 Ramp Inspection Checklist
doesn't even note this item)

Chapter 56, Conduct a FAR Part 91 Ramp Inspection

www1.faa.gov/avr/afs/faa/8700/8700_vol2/2_056_00.pdf

I'd say the chances of being violated for this in
a single seat experimental glider are about equivalent
to violations for missing static wicks or
flammable data plates.

Since solo parachutes aren't generally required,
for safety, I personally don't think parachutes worn in
single seat aircraft should have any expiration, and
I think the pilot should be able to pack it him/her self,
if he/she wants.

Passengers, on the other hand, don't have any idea
what's going on, and regs for them seem like a good idea...