Packing validity on pilot/emergency rigs

[piisfish 140]

quick question concerning the validity of the bailout rigs. Manuals, for example, of a Softie I just packed, states 120 days. Would the validity have changed to 180 days now, or do the 180 days only apply to sport rigs ?

As I still have a couple (or 15) rigs to pack for our local glider club, would be nice to know
Thanks for your input(s)

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[mark 107]

The newest version of the manual on Para-Phernalia's website says 180 days for US. Outside the US, it is whatever your country requires, but not more than 1 year.

The same manual establishes a service life of 20 years.

Mark

[Coreefdiver 0]

I do believe that bailout (emergency) rigs are covered by 91.307

Quote

§ 91.307 Parachutes and parachuting.

(a) No pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a parachute that is available for emergency use to be carried in that aircraft unless it is an approved type and has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger—

(1) Within the preceding 180 days, if its canopy, shrouds, and harness are composed exclusively of nylon, rayon, or other similar synthetic fiber or materials that are substantially resistant to damage from mold, mildew, or other fungi and other rotting agents propagated in a moist environment; or

(2) Within the preceding 60 days, if any part of the parachute is composed of silk, pongee, or other natural fiber or materials not specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(b) Except in an emergency, no pilot in command may allow, and no person may conduct, a parachute operation from an aircraft within the United States except in accordance with part 105 of this chapter.

(c) Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds—

(1) A bank of 60 degrees relative to the horizon; or

(2) A nose-up or nose-down attitude of 30 degrees relative to the horizon.

(d) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to—

(1) Flight tests for pilot certification or rating; or

(2) Spins and other flight maneuvers required by the regulations for any certificate or rating when given by—

(i) A certificated flight instructor; or

(ii) An airline transport pilot instructing in accordance with §61.67 of this chapter.

(e) For the purposes of this section, approved parachute means—

(1) A parachute manufactured under a type certificate or a technical standard order (C–23 series); or

(2) A personnel-carrying military parachute identified by an NAF, AAF, or AN drawing number, an AAF order number, or any other military designation or specification number.

[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91–255, 62 FR 68137, Dec. 30, 1997; Amdt. 91–268, 66 FR 23553, May 9, 2001; Amdt. 91–305, 73 FR 69530, Nov. 19, 2008]

DS#727, DB Cooper #41, POPS #11065, SCR #13183, FA #2125, SCS #8306, HALO #309 SRA #5930

[piisfish 140]

thank you Mark.
As in Switzerland we are based on the German rules, and the last update of validity on their list was a 120 days for all emergency rigs (except 1 model of Spekon which was 180 days and another 1 year). 180days would be good for me (better than a year, makes for more practice)
Would love to hear/read of the validity for ALL manufacturers, so our list could be updated.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[Coreefdiver 0]

sorry, my bad not knowing where you were.. didn't go looking.

so obviously, the FAR(s) don't apply anywhere except for the US.

DS#727, DB Cooper #41, POPS #11065, SCR #13183, FA #2125, SCS #8306, HALO #309 SRA #5930

[piisfish 140]

thanks anyways, any info is good to take. The manufacturer instructions are nevertheless important to us, as this is how our deadline list is established.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[pchapman 279]

The point piisfish is making is that some US manuals only stated 120, as that was what was available domestically and they never thought about any other limits.

So if it said 120 and there were no manual update, one might be stuck with 120, even if most would assume 180 now applies.

Many manuals had something like "The FAA requires 120 days" -- sometimes not even listing any other recommendation at all. Technically they have no limit of their own, but only says what the FAA says. So there would be no international limit.

But most manuals will have been updated.

I notice that National only allows 8 months maximum in their newer manuals.

Strong states 180 days, in their latest manual. (Their own rule, not the FAA's).

But not all of their manuals have been updated. So technically if doing a Strong seatpack, 120 is the limit. So you'd want to call for permission if being finicky.

Butler in a new manual allows up to 1 year (if local regulations allow).

It was interesting to look this stuff up.

[piisfish 140]

Just sent an email to Sandy and Brenda at Rigging Innovations, as the Aviator mentions 120days

Parachutes Australia (Thinback) is a 8months maximum...

Now if only our Federation/the German Federation would be kind enought to update the list....

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[JerryBaumchen 1,463]

Hi Peter,

Quote

Many manuals had something like "The FAA requires 120 days" -- sometimes not even listing any other recommendation at all.

IMO this continues to be a developing idea.

I think that all manuals should say something like this: The term limits for packing/repacking this parachute system are to be in accordance with the applicable FAR's at the time of the packing/repacking.

Or something similar that is all-inclusive.

What is also interesting is that in the Para-Gear catalog the Softie is listed as having a canopy rated at 240 lbs. FFE, who mfrs the canopy ( Preserve I ), says that it is rated at 220 lbs. And the Softie manual says: Use limitations will depend on the canopy weight and speed limitations and the TSO category under which canopy certification was achieved.



JerryBaumchen