Good post, Michael
I was thinking about posting something along the same
lines. I get my chute repacked at the local jump school
and the rigger tells me my 25 year old Strong is in
fine shape and has fewer problems than some of the
new stuff. A parachute is just a tool, treat it right,
keep it dry and away from oil, get it inspected, hung
and repacked as required and don't worry about it.
PS, I wear 2 little silk worms on my lapel.


At 21:30 22 December 2004, Michael wrote:
Just a few thoughts for you:

I've noticed some people telling you that 20 years
(or even 15) is too
much, and quoting a bunch of stuff and scary examples.
Speaking as
someone who has 600+ parachute jumps, including 8 emergency
activations
(three of them on emergency parachutes greater than
20 years old and
two more on emergency parachutes more than 15 years
old) and multiple
intentional single-parachute jumps (several on a parachute
greater than
20 years old) and put put well over 100 first jump
students (most of
them on reserves over 20 years old) I can only say
that this is the
worst load of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) that I've
seen on this
newsgroup in a while.

There is no life limit on parachutes on the US. Period,
end of story,
not a gray area, not debatable. As long as the parachute
passes
inspection, it is legal and safe to use. Life limits
are used in
aviation when there is no effective non-destructive
way to inspect a
component to assure it still meets standards. There
are NO parts of a
parachute that can't be effectively inspected when
it is being
repacked, thus there is no reason whatsoever for life
limits. It's
really that simple.

People who understand and routinely use and pack parachutes
(skydivers)
also understand this, and have no qualms about the
age of a reserve (or
main) parachute that has been inspected. They also
understand that the
number of times the parachute is packed and/or jumped
does cause wear.
This wear is visible and inspectable.

The factory has an interest in limiting liability and
making older
product go away. A dealer has an interest in selling
new product.
Therefore, impartial opinions are not to be had from
either.

The acid mesh problem is an ancient bugaboo. Once
upon a time it was a
real issue. An AD was issued (AD's are issued on parachutes
just like
they are on aircraft), some parachutes were tested,
and the problem
went away. Manufacturers now have improved QC procedures
so it is no
longer an issue.

Round personnel parachutes are old technology. There
has been no
substantial improvement in that technology in decades.
What's
manufactured today is barely distinguishable from what
was manufactured
in 1980, changes to TSO notwithstanding.

Here is my advice to you:

Stay away from riggers who don't routinely jump - they
are bad news.
Ideally, find a rigger who BASE jumps - they understand
what's really
important when making a single canopy jump.

Go to your local drop zone. Not some fancy commercial
operation with
turbine aircraft and tandems, but something more local
and down home.
Talk to the jumpers who jump old gear, and find out
who their rigger
is. Have him inspect and repack the parachute. If
he considers it
sound, sell it - and give his name to the buyer.

Michael