ZP Canopy Life Span

[AggieDave 6]

If a ZP canopy has been well taken care of but has a fair number of jumps, I think around 700, would it be a fairly safe bet that the coating is starting to degrade? Or at this point would it just have to be inspected by a rigger?
AggieDave '02
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Blue Skies and Gig'em Ags!
BTHO t.u.

[RemiAndKaren 0]

700 aint that much..... Having a look at it is a definate, but its not a worysome number. Make sure the lines are OK.. at this number of jumps, a reline may be in order.
Remi
Muff 914

[AggieDave 6]

If I remember correctly, it was relined about 200 jumps ago...
AggieDave '02
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Blue Skies and Gig'em Ags!
BTHO t.u.

[Geoff 0]

I seem to remember there's Sabre somewhere with over 10,000 jumps on it. Obviously had a few repairs and relines, but still quite impressive....
Geoff

[RemiAndKaren 0]

Then, I'd say it coul dbe a fine canopy. But, have a look at it 1st, and idealy with a rigger-friend. If it has been well maintained, you shoukld be able to get a good canopy for cheap; if it was neglected, even cheaper! lol... as long as its not trash...
Remi
Muff 914

[freeflir29 0]

I knew of a ZP with around 5,000 jumps on it at Raeford. It was a club canopy and had many relines but the canopy still flew fine.
"and I'm not easily impressed...Ooohh look...a blue car!" -Homer Simpson

[Kris 0]

Quote

I seem to remember there's Sabre somewhere with over 10,000 jumps on it. Obviously had a few repairs and relines, but still quite impressive....

Actually, it's over 12,000 jumps. PD is giving the guy that currently has the canopy free re-line jobs because they want to see how long the fabric will last.
Kris

[cobaltdan 0]

top alpha is aproaching 3000 jumps and still checking great on the porosity meter.
sincerely,
dan

[DBTECH 0]

Unlike LO-PO or F-111 type materials that have a relatively high open area--ZP material is relatively 'sealed' because of the coating. It is for this reason that the material lasts longer, because abrasive dirt cannot enter the fabric to do it's evil dead. Also, the much lower coefficient of friction of ZP, means very low wear.
Dave Brownell

[riggerrob 643]

Number of jumps is only one method of measuring canopy life.
Neat packing and keeping it clean also affect life span.
A canopy that has been jumped in the desert will last half as long as a canopy landed on grass.
Exposure to sunlight also reduces canopy life, but the worst wear comes from dragging it through the weeds after landing.

[cloud9 0]

I can see where the fabric might hold up, but what about the ribs, stiching and seems? I jumped a Johnathan a with about 2000 jumps on it. When I packed it air came through the seems so hard I thought it had a hole in it.