Parachute 20 year limit

On Dec 3, 11:34*am, wrote:
I have a security chute that is older than twenty years of
experience. *Are you guys finding that the repackers are refusing to
recertify past twenty years? *Seems the manufacturers have put out
service bulletins recomending twenty year service limits. *I am
interested in getting this chute repacked if possible. *Please let me
know of anyone that might inspect this chute. *Preferably near
Atlanta, GA.

Don't know anything around Atlanta, but I do know that Mark of
Kutztown Parachutes, in Kutztown, PA will repack it, if it's
airworthy. He'll do a pull test, which stresses the fabric of the
canopy in several randomly chosen areas. My 20+-year-old security
passed with ease. When I popped the chute as a test before he
repacked it, it looked like brand new material in the canopy. The
enclosure and harness were a bit dirty in places, but nothing
affecting the strength.

Good luck,
Ed

I would like to find a chute repacker closer than the Pepperell,
Massachusetts repacker I have been using for my 20+ year old Security
chute..

Google search does not locate a "Kutstown Parachutes", but does locate a
couple of skydiving operations there. Could you give me some more specific
info as to how to locate or contact Mark?

Don't know anything around Atlanta, but I do know that Mark of
Kutztown Parachutes, in Kutztown, PA will repack it, if it's airworthy.

A parachute life and even the repack periods are historical rather than a
period calculated to be safe, as the Stong article would seem to
indicate.
Originally parachutes were made from natural fibres, cotton for the
container and silk for the canopy. Both these materials do deteriorate
over time. The service life and repack periods appear to have been
arbitary time periods. Certainly the 6 month repack period goes back to
the days of silk canopies and was probably necessary.
With the increased use of synthetic fibres the life period certainly
became obsolete although some parachute manufacturers hung on to the old
limits, well they would wouldn't they if they wanted to sell the things.
It seems that the yardstick is now that if you can get a rigger to repack
it no problem.
The biggest problem appears to be that fitting a new canopy or container
may not be an option. For example the original EB80 used the I 24 canopy,
the latest versions uses the H 112 canopy. It appears that the I 24 is
still available so all may not be lost

A good rigger will acknowledge the age but give the equipment a
recommendation based on proper stress tests that are a routine part of
the inspection & repack procedure. Even young materials can be
compromised by excess moisture, sunlight, and the dreaded feline
territorial marking liquid.

Well cared for equipment can last a surprisingly long time. If you
think yours is good and your rigger can only point at its age in
rejecting it, get a second opinion.

~ted/2NO

At 17:29 03 December 2008, Tuno wrote:
A good rigger will acknowledge the age but give the equipment a
recommendation based on proper stress tests that are a routine part of
the inspection & repack procedure. Even young materials can be
compromised by excess moisture, sunlight, and the dreaded feline
territorial marking liquid.

Well cared for equipment can last a surprisingly long time. If you
think yours is good and your rigger can only point at its age in
rejecting it, get a second opinion.

~ted/2NO

That accords with the opinion given by the article "The rest of the
answers" by Bob Gilmour on the Strong website. See the last paragraph
headed "What is the life of my parachute system?"

http://www.strongparachutes.com/page...stOfTheAnswers

John Galloway

I called Red. Red reports twenty years is max age that he will repack
regardless of condition. Seems like a very good fellow to know for my
repacks once I get a newer chute.

Lane

On Dec 3, 3:10*pm, wrote:
I called Red. *Red reports twenty years is max age that he will repack
regardless of condition. *Seems like a very good fellow to know for my
repacks once I get a newer chute.

Lane

No matter who you use, with the price of gas, it makes sense to call
UPS Ground. For a chute older than 20 yrs, it makes sense to ship it
back to the factory for the repack.

It might be a few dollars more, but the factory will test the fabric
and then do the repack.

It makes more sense than driving a round trip just to drop off one
parachute and then another round trip just to pick it up. (I even
had to do three trips one time because the rigger decided not to open
the shop that day)

I hear what you are saying about the gas! Red said that these
Security chutes are not supported in the US anymore. Evidently there
were a few problems over the years. Seems that no matter what
condition this chute is in the majority of the riggers (all I have
spoken to) want to wash their hands of these chutes. Something to
consider when you see cheap ones on Ebay!

Lane

A good part of the 20 year lifespan ruse is because pilot rigs haven't
changed in well over 20 years. Tossing a parachute by age is no
different then grounding gliders by age.

On Dec 3, 11:34*am, wrote:
I have a security chute that is older than twenty years of
experience. *Are you guys finding that the repackers are refusing to
recertify past twenty years? *Seems the manufacturers have put out
service bulletins recomending twenty year service limits. *I am
interested in getting this chute repacked if possible. *Please let me
know of anyone that might inspect this chute. *Preferably near
Atlanta, GA.

In Atlanta, go see Red Payne at Flight Concepts
770-279-7733 - Norcross
He works on pilot rigs on Fridays

He knows his stuff. Does the rigging for MGSA.
My Strong chute is approaching 20 years and he says it's still in good
shape.

Cheers,
Tim
1FL