Acid Mesh

[yoink 321]

I've come across a few references to 'acid mesh', particularly in relation to round reserves.

I know it was something to do with the degredation of canopy fabric, but wondered if anyone could shed a bit more light on the term?

[NickDG 23]

This was circa early 80s. The problem was the source for the mesh used in covering the steering vents on some round reserves came from a manufacturer who also supplied the same mesh to tent manufacturers. At some point the tent manufacturers requested the mesh have a fire retardant added to it.

No one realized the problem until some round reserves started suffering damage and catastrophic failure on deployment. The treated mesh laying along side the canopy fabric overtime in a packed container did the deed.

It became a nightmare finding all the affected canopies as it spanned several manufacturers and lots of serial number ranges. I wouldn’t be surprised if there still aren't some of these canopies sitting in pilot's rigs tucked away in airplane hangars.

You can contact Master Rigger Alan Silver, in Northern California, for more on this (he sort of made it his life's work to track these canopies down). There is also a chemical test Riggers can use to test the mesh in suspected canopies, and any older round pilot's rig you pack that has mesh should be tested.

The big lesson all us Rigger's learned from this was the "real" importance of inspections. And don’t think something like this could not happen again. I had two round reserves that were bad, and there were many of us walking around fat, dumb, and happy with time bombs in our reserve containers . . .

NickD BASE 194

[highspeeddirt 0]

interestingly enough, no one ever died over it.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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I wouldn’t be surprised if there still aren't some of these canopies sitting in pilot's rigs tucked away in airplane hangars.

I saw one come through Cal City for a repack about 2 years ago that failed the acid mesh (Ph) test... upon further review... the aflicted canopy was from one of the range s/n's from mfg's you speak of.

[bob.dino 1]

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This was circa early 80s. The problem was the source for the mesh used in covering the steering vents on some round reserves came from a manufacturer who also supplied the same mesh to tent manufacturers. At some point the tent manufacturers requested the mesh have a fire retardant added to it.

No one realized the problem until some round reserves started suffering damage and catastrophic failure on deployment. The treated mesh laying along side the canopy fabric overtime in a packed container did the deed.

To add a little more detail: the fire retardant on the mesh caused damage to the rest of the canopy when it was packed up and lying on it.

[stratostar 5]

Also found one two years ago, the rigger who owns it now, washed it and retested it, now it's fine and in his belly wart.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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Also found one two years ago, the rigger who owns it now, washed it and retested it, now it's fine and in his belly wart.

I realize that's the prescribed procedure, but washing a "suspect" reserve or round used in a bailout rig and then putting it back in service always seemed foreign to me.

[stratostar 5]

Well, all I can say is, 1. it's not on my ticket. and 2. it's not in my rig. But I did see the first test and the second after wash, hey it passed and if he wants to sign it and jump it, who am i to bitch.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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Well, all I can say is, 1. it's not on my ticket. and 2. it's not in my rig. But I did see the first test and the second after wash, hey it passed and if he wants to sign it and jump it, who am i to bitch.

True enough.

I'd have recommended a pull test on the probable weakened / damaged nylon next to the mesh... washing may not have been necessary.

[masterrig 1]

Allen can be contacted through his web-site: Silver Parachute.com



Chuck