Tim Mara wrote:

what I suggested, based on your comment, (and it wasn't specifically aimed
at you or any one person), but a broader statement that if it were not a
requirement, and left up to the user that (some, no-one, he, she,
you..insert what you like here) would not bother)

....and some people who never own a chute or use one would instead start
wearing and owning them because the continuing cost is less.

.....if you are
suggesting leaving this up to individuals "judgment" then I guess it would
also be OK for pilots to do their own annual inspections and the like
also...
tim

....absolutely. Single seat aircraft solely owned and operated by the owner
and weighing very little (say under 155 pounds) don't present
enough of a threat to others to require an annual inspection from
a mechanic. I'd completely agree with this. Annual inspections
done by the owner for single seat ultralights: a great idea.

By the same parallel, any pilot weighing 600+ pounds maybe
ought to be required to wear a repacked, weight certified chute
so as not to injure those on the ground if the chute fails to
open when bailing out.

BTW; I have had to use a parachute from a glider...maybe if you had this
same experience you might not be so willing to strike up this argument.

I personally would like more pilots to wear parachutes. The
easiest way to do this is to decrease expense. Requiring
perfect chutes which are expensive is better, but as I said before,
better is the enemy of good...