Emergency Parachute questions

Al,
I wish I'd thought to post here when I was looking for a rig and gotten your
advice. I think I might still have ended up with my Softie seat pack, but
I've sure found your posting useful. I was surprised to find that you've
packed chutes that are over 40 years old! Are these typically warbird
seatpacks?

Thanks for your expertise!
Shawn
"Al MacDonald" wrote in message
news:JlIrd.21354$cE3.19326@clgrps12...
Jay,

Most 24' parachutes would be fine for your weight at sea level, but at
5400 ASL the landing would be hard. I've landed National 24' at 3500 ft
and it was ok, but I also have 1500 jumps. The next size up is 26', and
although it is more expensive, it is also a little larger and
heavier.....and a little less easy for climbing in/out of the cockpit.
You have to decide if the smaller/lighter/cheaper parachute system will
offset the possibility of a lower leg injury on landing. Oh yes, bones
take longer to heal as we get older. Something else to consider is
potential opening speeds. The red line on my Pitts is 205 statute, well
above the max deployment speeds of a number of parachutes (some are as low
as 150 mph, other 150 kts). While I plan on delaying an opening for a
couple of seconds after exit (if altitude is available), I draw from
considerable experience and I can maintain the best body position for a
good deployment without tumbling. Most pilots don't have this background.
You do not want to deploy a parachute rated for 150 kts at 180 kts, as the
opening shock increases in square to the speed increase, and the parachute
most likely has only been tested to 175 kts.

Nothing wrong with a 10 year old parachute, if it is properly inspected
and the fabric strength tested. Any Senior or Master Rigger does this all
the time as part of the repack. Because you are trusting your life to the
person who inspects/packs your parachute, find a GOOD local rigger, as the
parachute must be repacked every 120 days in the US. Ask around at a
local Drop Zone for recommendations; it doesn't take a lot of skill to
inspect/repack a parachute but, like everything else in life, attitude is
everything. I've packed lots of parachutes over 40 years old as long as
they are in good shape and the fabric strength tests ok, but there is a
movement afoot in the industry to put a 20 year life span on parachute
equipment. Newer parachute systems utilize a full diaper to assist in a
more effective deployment; I'd say this is a must.

The parachute of the right size for you comes in the appropriate container
style for your needs (back/seat/chair), which is a combination of where
you have space for the bulk and your size/height/length. I'm 6' 160# and
I could probably use a seat pack in my S-1D, however the previous owner
put a board over the seat pan and I am using a chairpack. It works well
for me, as I'm up high enough for best view and the chair is much easier
to climb in/out with than a seat pack. Also, with the pilot chute of a
seat pack pointing down, in theory you would need to deploy on your head
or at least 90 degrees to vertical. Chair and back is fine for head up or
body at 90 degrees to the relative wind.

In case you're wondering, I deal with parachutes as my full time
occupation.

Al MacDonald
Flying High Manufacturing inc.


"Jay Moreland" wrote in message
newsXbrd.172979$HA.168018@attbi_s01...
I need advice on a pilot emergency chute. I am only a pilot and know
nothing about parachutes. I need an emergency parachute because I will be
doing aerobatics in a Pitts-like biplane: required by FAA. My weight is
#140. The altitude I will be landing if I am unlucky enough to need to use
the chute is 5400 feet. I am considering purchasing a used parachute that
I would have inspected and re-packed regularly by a professional Master
rigger.

Is buying a 10 year old parachute like a Security, Softie, Strong...etc
going to be significantly less safe than a brand new parachute? (Assuming
it checks out as OK by the Master rigger)

Is there anything to watch out for?

Are there any special tests that I need to have done on a used parachute
to know that it is still safe?

If the red-line on the aircraft is 180kts, should I worry about the
parachute being rated to only 150 knots or should I assume that I will
slow down to terminal velocity in an emergency and will only need the 150
knot capability?

What other considerations should I think of?