|
Chuck,
Ya just cannot beat the manufacturer's recommendations! It is interesting to
hear about the old systems working though, and I was especially surprised
(and happy) to hear that 20 year old rockets still functioned well!
Most canopies manufactured since the 50's have been constructed of a
calendered Nylon
derivative with F-111 being a popular material for parachute
construction. These materials are impervious to dry rot and are primarily
damage by chemical contamination and UV radiation. If there are no natural
fibers used in the construction of the system it will last a long time. I
still have serviceable skydiving canopies manufactured in the 60's!
Thanks for the data Chuck.
Rick
"ChuckSlusarczyk" <ChuckSlusarczyk_member@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:e21ke802rcf@drn.newsguy.com...
> In article <wWV0g.930487$xm3.207853@attbi_s21>, RAM says...
> >
> >This is an interesting thread.
> >
> >First, we're talking about about one "system", but several components.
For
> >historical purposes, the US Army conducted tests on parachutes that had
been
> >packed for up to 20 years and found that there was NO degradation in the
> >reliability and function of a parachute IF IT HAD BEEN PROPERLY STORED.
> >
> >This means in clean and dry conditions. If your canopy did not contain
any
> >"mesh" products (which have been a problem in subsequent canopies) it
should
> >function as well as when it was new if properly cared for.
>
> About 4 years ago at the Hawk Owners Fly in we fired 2 very old chute
> systems.One was a Second chance that we had hanging around the shop for
about15
> years and a customer had a 1983 Hawk with a 1983 BRS ballistic unit .
> Both fired on the first try and sent the chutes out to the end of the
bridles
> amid a cloud of what appeared to be talcum powder. Both chutes were in
good
> shape as far as we could tell .There was no dry rot but I do not know if
the
> material had deteriorated or not.We couldn't tear either one.The BRS guy
sent it
> in for a rebuild and the Second Chantz that I had is now used by my grand
kids
> for a windy weather toy. Just some observations.But I'd follow the
> manufacturers recomendations.
>
> See ya
>
> Chuck S
>
>
> --
> NewsGuy.Com 30Gb $9.95 Carry Forward and On Demand Bandwidth
>
|
|
Re: Ballistic Rocket Chute FS
