Expiry date for reserves

[billvon 2,416]

>Personally, I would agree that assuming a parachute is in LIKE NEW condition
>(and, of course, that it is certified), then it would be OK to use it as a reserve.
Would you pack a PD reserve with 16 deployments on it and 35 repacks altogether, assuming it looked used but airworthy? (i.e. some dirt and stains, no evidence of damage.) Would your decision be changed if the reserve had a ZP topskin?
-bill von

[polarbear 1]

Good question...sort of puts a spin on my "like new" requirement.
I am a slow, methodical rigger who spends much too much time inspecting. Having said that, I would say that if the reserve passed my inspection, and I was aware of the history of the reserve, I would feel alright packing it. As far as the permeability of the fabric, I would have to consider the potential pilot of the reserve. If it was going to be flown at a high wingloading, and/or if the pilot (who presumably put some or all of the 16 jumps on the reserve) complained of a poor flare, I would SUGGEST that it be sent for a permeability test and take the opportunity to educate the jumper on the issues involved. I believe the permeability test focuses on the top skin, so having a ZP topskin would negate the need for a check.
As far as the stains, I would certainly check the affected areas for sufficient strength. I generally use the "thumb" test, but if it was severe, I might actually get out the fabric pliers and scale.
I never really fully understood the term "riggers discretion" until I got into rigging;)

[stimpy 0]

i have a bad feeling this rumour was started by unscrupulous people who want to be able to sell another reserve canopy to anyone who might have a reserve older than 6 years old. In some parts of the world people don't know better and they believe what they are told.
As people have rightly pointed out, the best and most accurate information is likely to come from the manufacturer and they should be asked if you have doubts or questions.
Don't believe everything that some people tell you - check it out from the correct sources.
rgds.

[riggermick 6]

When it comes to the air worthiness of a reserve canopy (or complete system), the rigger who is certifying it for use during the next 120 days is the final word. No if's and's or but's. He or She alone takes sole responsbility for the air worthiness decision. I have an Amigo 134 reserve with over 75 jumps on it that I still use as a functioning reserve. All of the jumps made on it were by me during drop testing of the Reflex harness/ container system. I know that canopy so well and how quickly it will deploy at any speed I wouldn't trade it for anything. So to answer the question of "when does a reserve expire?" When a certified rigger says "I'm not packing that because......". As Rob said unless it's being held together with duct tape and knots in the lines you can pretty much always find someone to pack it. Choose riggers carefully.
Mick Cottle.

[polarbear 1]

It is also the rigger's responsibility to pack it according to manufacturer's instructions. THAT IS IN THE FAA REGULATIONS. There are no if's, and's or but's about that. If the manufacturer's instructions specify a service life, then the law says it must be followed. If there is no specified service life, the rigger gets to decide.
There is such a thing as riggers discretion, but it does have boundaries.

[riggermick 6]

You are of course correct. Amigo (and some others) reserves have no quantifed service life stated.

[docrw 0]

I've resently bought some used gear, and was told it had a fresh repack but the seal and thread look odd. Can someone tell me what the seal should look like and why some have letters and numbers and this one only has 3 letters. How are these numbers given out by the FAA? Is there a list of riggers that can be checked using the riggers number?
Thanks in advance!

[mjosparky 3]

What George Gallowy says does not carry force of law. What Precision's manual does. FAA Part 65.129. The manual says one jump. More than that and it can not be packed as a reserve.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[mjosparky 3]

Not all required a different slider, which ones do.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[skymedic 0]

Quote

I've resently bought some used gear, and was told it had a fresh repack but the seal and thread look odd. Can someone tell me what the seal should look like and why some have letters and numbers and this one only has 3 letters. How are these numbers given out by the FAA? Is there a list of riggers that can be checked using the riggers number?
Thanks in advance!

You'd be wise to just pay for a new repack...I've seen some pretty scary stuff bought "used" with a "new" repack. If it was me or someone I knew there isn't a chance I'd jump it with out knowing the rigger personaly.

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[PhreeZone 15]

Riggers are issued 3 letters for their seals and the numbers on the data card are their certificate number. I've seen all sorts of things on the backside of the seals... certificate numbers, Skull and Crossbones, a happy face... lots of things. All that is required is the 3 letters of their seal.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mjosparky 3]

A riggers seal symbol can be a combination of letter and numbers not just letters.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[riggerrob 558]

Quote

Not all required a different slider, which ones do.
Sparky

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Only the first production run of Raven As (circa 1984) sometimes opened slowly, so the factory recommended installing a bikini slider to speed up openings. Since the bikini slider was missing two triangles of fabric - almost half its area - it tended to open quicker.
When a rigger installed a bikini slider he was supposed to write a big, ugly letter "B" on the orange warning label.
Bikini sliders were not mandatory, but I since the service bulletin was published, I have only repacked ONE Raven A without the update. That Raven A belonged to a freefall photographer, etc.

[mjosparky 3]

Thanks Rob, there are some people that are not aware of this.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[relyon 0]

Quote

What George Gallowy says does not carry force of law. What Precision's manual does. FAA Part 65.129. The manual says one jump. More than that and it can not be packed as a reserve.
Sparky

How does a rigger determine if a Precision reserve has been used as a main for more than one jump?

Bob

[mjosparky 3]

It would be hard to tell. You could check the bridle attachment point, toggles and brake lines, but it would be a guess.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[parafredo 0]

I would say that if you have any doubt about the age of reserve canopy or how many times it should be out,sub-terminal or terminal speed,the manufacturer should approve it to be airworthy.That meens the rigger should contact the manufacturer and discuss this issue or any concerns with this issue.Personally,I refuse to repack a Tempo reserve because this reserve came out eleven times and it was full of sand deposit everywhere,even on the lines.I told the owner to send his reserve for a complete check to the company .

Main thing is,in a doubt,do not do it and make sure when you decide to pack it,your seal will be on for 120 days.

There is no excuses not to communicate or getting informations at this century....phone ,fax,internet and now,cellular with camera!!!

[atsaubrey 0]

This is interesting, I asked the same question to a rigger a couple of weeks ago. Im jumping with a Strong reserve mfg. in 1986 and was getting concerned. It has no know rides and was told if it is in good condition he would pack it with now worries.

"GOT LEAD?"

[brits17 0]

Quote

How are these numbers given out by the FAA? Is there a list of riggers that can be checked using the riggers number?

As far as I know, each DPRE is given a set of seal symbols to issue.

http://registry.faa.gov/amquery.asp is where you can find out who has an FAA license. Just need a first and last name.

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