megamalfunction 1 #1 January 9, 2015 My Triathlon 160 turns 20 next year (manufactured in 1996) and I'm wondering when I should retire it. I purchased the canopy in 2010, and in 2011 sent it to Aerodyne for a reline and a test jump. So the line set is in good shape, and the canopy flies well, but it is still about to be 20 years old. What do you guys think? *My Container/Reserve was manufactured in 2002, so I'm not worried about it quite yet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skez 0 #2 January 9, 2015 Yes retire it for sure and give it to me lol Nah if its in good nick i wouldnt worry about it my last skydive container and reserve were made in 1990...no dramas Also my base canopy is dom 96FTMC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 36 #3 January 9, 2015 Number of jumps, sun exposure, wear, grit.from jumping in the desert all means more than years.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TommyBotten 0 #4 January 9, 2015 Throw it a kick ass party As mentioned here, the usage is what wears it out, not age. Search for a (master) rigger in the area that has a permeability tester, and have the fabric tested if you're worried. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,123 #5 January 9, 2015 My Stiletto has a similar pedigree. Since I jumped a 40-year-old round and container a year or so ago at an old farts' skydiving reunion, you can imagine I'm not worried about the canopy age I.e. It's not the age, it's the miles Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
likestojump 3 #6 January 9, 2015 I swear to god I thought you were kidding. Jump it for another year and then buy it a beer and keep jumping. What magic do you think will happen once it becomes 20 years of age ? Not to mention that the fabric is most likely over 20 years old already. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 370 #7 January 9, 2015 Canopies don't "age", they "wear". I would make a decision based on how many jumps it has on it and the conditions it was jumped, packed, and stored in rather than how old it is.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ridebmxbikes 0 #8 January 9, 2015 150 jumps in 9 years? so by next year you should have 16 more jumps on it, lets say 20 jumps just incase you decide to get a little crazy. how well do you treat your gear? do you leave it in your closet or in your trunk? if the canopy is in good condition as of now then one more year sitting in a closet shouldn't have much more effect on the structural integrity. any cheapo canopy I've ever owned have been almost 20 years. id only look at the dom if you are buying or selling. after that just have it inspected by a rigger and if you don't like what the say then take it to another one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 370 #9 January 9, 2015 ridebmxbikes 150 jumps in 9 years? Or 10 jumps 9 years ago and 140 in the past year. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 1,914 #10 January 9, 2015 Canopies like that are generally good for over 2000 jumps. As long as it's has been cared for properly, especially kept out of the sun, and re-lined as needed. Age is not relevant.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #11 January 10, 2015 WARNING! The secret clockwork mechanism in the tail pocket will lock up after 20 years plus 1 day. A Master Rigger might have the special key to un-lock the tail pocket, but you would be much wiser and safer to deliver it to your nearest Master Rigger in a triple-sealed bio-waste bag, so that he can pass it on the National Bio-Waste Administration for ecologically friendly de-activation and disposal. Chances are, the cheap bastard will put another thousand jumps on it before he tosses it in the trash! Hah! Hah! Hah! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
megamalfunction 1 #12 January 10, 2015 lol @ riggerbob. Well, thanks for all of the replies. In 2011 I sent the canopy in to Aerodyne for a new lineset & test jump. Aerodyne said the canopy was fine when when they sent it back, and I've only put around 80 jumps on it since then. So I suppose it will be okay to jump for another 2 years until I can afford a new one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #13 January 10, 2015 What does the topskin on the center cell look like? Good? Fair? Poor? That's the part of the canopy that takes the most abuse. If it's in decent shape, don't worry about it."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
