Seat Parachutes

[Tulio]

I know that this subject does not belong here, but I am begging the indulgence of the moderators, to keep it here for more exposure to viewers.

I have two, seat-style, military parachutes, manufactured by Hi Plains Parachute Co., and Mills Parachute Co.:

28ft Dia. Seat style parachute. Type MA-1
- Mfg Aug 1970
- Mfg Nov 1970

One is missing the seat pad.

Last inspection re-pack, 7 May 92 per parachute log. They are both outside of their pack, rolled and stored inside a parachute bag.

Sooo,

Can they be re-used? Re-packed and re-certified? If this is the case, would they be of use for any warbird pilot, and if that is the case, how much -realistically- could I sell them for? I do not aim to make a lot of money, simply to sell them for a good cause.


Saludos,


Tulio

[Randy Haskin]

I think that until they're actually pulled out, unpacked, and inspected by a rigger there's just no way to tell if they have any value as an actual lifesaving device currently.

[Cvairwerks]

Tulio: Something isn't correct on the designation. An MA-1 is just a pilot chute. There should be a designator on the main chute itself, or on the packing card in the harness. I've got a buddy that is a master rigger that I can check with here in the DFW area.

[p51]

20+ years is a long time for a chute to be around and still be certified to jump with or use as a lifesaving device. I sure wouldn't trust a chute that old.
Call the local skydiving school, I'd bet they could answer this.

[ffuries]

Parachute canopies, pilot chutes, and parachute harnesses all have a service life. With the date you list, they would be expired by military standards. Example at one time the canopy service life was 13/10 meaning 13 years from the DOM (Date of Manufacture) or 10 years from the DOI (Date of Installation) which ever came first. While I cannot speak to civilian standards, my mentality is to keep with military standards, JMHO.

Air Force Technical Order 14D3-11-1 has the Service Life chart towards the rear of the TO, after 7 years of retirement I just can't remember what chapter it is under.

[Tulio]

Thank you, guys.

I figured that they were old enough not to be used safely without an inspection or re-certification.

Then I'd guess their only use would be for decorative purposes. Yes, the MA-1 designator comes from the pilot chute.

Thanks again.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Lynn Allen]

A long shot but call Allen Silver at Silver Parachutes Sales. I know he will want to sell you a new one, but I would consider his advise. 209.532.7070

[bdk]

I used to have my parachutes inspected by a local certified parachute rigger (San Diego area). This was some years ago, but he said as long as he can't pull the seams apart with his hand they were OK. There is so much surface area they aren't highly loaded.

Get them recertified if you can and their value goes way up.

The important thing is to keep them out of the sunlight. The UV kills them. You should never leave chutes in the plane. They can also get damp and moldy if the canopy leaks.

[Tulio]

Once again, thank you guys. I do appreciate the knowledge you impart.

I inherited these, and have been inside a heavy canvas parachute bag, stored in a room in my hangar, that is, not outside in the hangar itself. I will try to see if they can be recertified, but I am trying to sell them to help a friend now.

Thank you, Lynn!


Saludos,


Tulio

[bdk]

http://parachutepacking.com/parachute%20repacks.htm

[stearmann4]

Allen Silver won't repack any canopy or harness that's over 20 years old from the date of manufacture. he also told me you'll be hard pressed to find any rigger who will re-pack anything over 20 years old. Its apparently been resurfacing as a liability. I'd tend to agree.

Mike-