This is an explanation of the 20 year parachute
service life myth. I keep running into it from time to time.
<http://www.parachuteshop.com/service_life_limits.htm>http://www.parachuteshop.com/service_life_limits.htm
Pretty much what Larry at National Parachutes
says although he won't re-pack after 20 years.
Note the bit about use, care and exposure.
IIRC the PA chutes that were grounded after 20+
years, around 7 to 10 years ago, had an AD come out on those chutes only.
I know we sold heaps of National chutes then.
It is very easy to make the activity more
expensive and difficult in the name of safety
without improving safety. It is a lazy,
thoughtless way of operating. I'll back hard engineering data.
Bit like the GFA annual spin requirement. I bet
the vast majority know how to recover from a spin
properly and promptly. You should mentally
rehearse this often. The problem really is people
getting into spins when they should not and mostly where even prompt
recovery action won't help as you will likely hit
the ground harder than if you stayed in the spin.
About the only time you have a chance to recover
is if you spin out of a thermal, something you
should never do as it is highly antisocial.
When everybody, including those running the GFA,
actually understands what causes stalls we might
make some progress. In the meantime annual spins
is huge risk exposure, in sometimes deliberately
crippled aircraft, for nothing.
Mike
At 02:05 PM 10/26/2017, you wrote:
Jim,
Some Parachutes Australia chutes do have a time limit. 21 or 22 years IIRC.
Mike
At 01:38 PM 10/26/2017, you wrote:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?>
Apologies to Ron. You had no idea what you started.
  But people take these things too lightly.
 Highly recommend doing a couple of jumps so
you know what it feels like, even if the jump
isn't started from a damaged aircraft. My
personal preference is for a square parachute.
They have great directional and speed control,
but owners need to be trained or at least
briefed. I can do a stand-up spot landing, a
good feeling to have while strapping it on tightly prior to flight.
 Learned long ago the pains involved in
opening a parachute with a loose harness...
Imagine someone kicking you in the groin. The pain goes up to your eyes.
 Back to the start: There is no time limit on
any parachute, since the certification method used didn't specify one.
This includes Para-Phernalia, who first mentioned the 20-year subject.
Passing inspection is up to your rigger. You
can always retire the chute yourself, just cut
the suspension lines and it's done.
Jim
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Borgelt Instruments - design & manufacture of
quality soaring instrumentation since 1978
www.borgeltinstruments.com
tel: 07 4635 5784 overseas: int+61-7-4635 5784
mob: 042835 5784 : int+61-42835 5784
P O Box 4607, Toowoomba East, QLD 4350, Australia
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