Storage of gear - out of sport 6 months

[Silverlining 0]

I am curious if anyone has any tips about gear storage as I will be out of jumping for approx 6 months.

One tip that I have heard is to pull your pilot chute of of the spandex BOC pocket - to save the elastic in the fabric of the pocket. Other than that it is packed and in my gear bag.

Any one else out there got any other good tips?

Also I was not going to worry about sending my cypress away for it's 4yr service and wait until I'm back jumping. I've since heard a rumour that you're meant to send it off even if your not jumping as Airtec will only service it within a certain time of the required date? Anyone know anymore details about this?

Thnx for any help!

[jas8472 0]

Pull high your first jump back??

[Silverlining 0]

Yeah I will pull abit high to get my bearings again under my canopy. Can't wait for my first jump back - will almost be like starting all over!

[lowie 0]

As i understand it Aitec will service the cypress any time but you will still need another service at the 8yr as in 8yrs from the time of manufacture so the 6months you leave it in the bag wont make any difference to the maintenance schedule.

I bought a unit 2nd hand 7.5 yrs old and hadnt been used for 2yrs or so. I had to wait 3 months to send it in for the service + battery. If I had sent it in immediately for a new battery I would of been stung for another battery at the 8yr service even though the battery would only have been 6 months old.

But dont trust me - contact Airtec.

[councilman24 37]

You wouldn't have had to get a second battery. They only replace them if there is less than hmmm 6 months left I think. It's some similar time frame. You can also ask them not to replace the battery, for instance if your rigger has them in stock and wants to use his. Also you don't have to send it in for a battery. Any rigger can change that for you.

As for storage. For six months I'd simply keep it in a temperature controlled place safe from kids, pets, etc. Many of us in the northern part of the U.S. don't see our rigs for 6 months every winter. Repack the main along with the reserve when you start up.
If the cypres battery is out of date I'd remove the cypres in case the battery leaks.


Ideally for long term storage you'd open both canopies and store them in a cloth (breathable) bag in a cool but controlled, dry, dark place. Remove the cypres and store separately in case the battery leaks. Make sure the PC spring doesn't get bent.

But this is really over kill for a few months or even a year. It's still best but just not necessary.

IMHO

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[LawnDart21 0]

As a rule, if I am not jumping for more than a month or so, I unpack my main and stick it in a pillow case.

Newer zero-p canopies can "gel together" if/when left in a main d-bag too long. The "goop" that they coat the fabirc with to make it zero-p can harden/stick to itself if left in the bag for an extended period of time.

I figure with the $$ I spent on my main, better err on the side of caution when storing it.

Hope that helps.

Tom

--
My other ride is a RESERVE.

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

As a rule, if I am not jumping for more than a month or so, I unpack my main and stick it in a pillow case.

Newer zero-p canopies can "gel together" if/when left in a main d-bag too long. The "goop" that they coat the fabirc with to make it zero-p can harden/stick to itself if left in the bag for an extended period of time.

I figure with the $$ I spent on my main, better err on the side of caution when storing it.

Hope that helps.

Tom

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That "gelling together" has only occurred to a few batches of ZP fabric that were stored in hot, humid, etc. conditions. The cool, dry , dark, etc. storage conditions recommended for storring any parachute eliminate that scenario.

[LawnDart21 0]

I pulled a relatively new main canopy out of a d-bag during a reserve repack, and it had become a solid brick. The jumper stated it was in a cool/room temperature dark closet for about 6 weeks.

If that was/is an anomoly, I will take your word on it.

I still like the pillow case storage though, I use a winnie the pooh pillow case from when I was 5 yrs old..........it cracks me up every time I see it.....lol

I won't mention the canopy on the board (its not appropriate) but if you'd like to know, PM me.

Blue ones, Tom

--
My other ride is a RESERVE.

[jumpwally 0]

what about pulling out the reserve also?

smile, be nice, enjoy life
FB # - 1083

[Dougiefresh 0]

Quote

I still like the pillow case storage though, I use a winnie the pooh pillow case from when I was 5 yrs old..........it cracks me up every time I see it.....lol

I won't mention the canopy on the board (its not appropriate) but if you'd like to know, PM me.

The canopy had winnie the pooh on it, too?

man, I wouldn't admit that in public either.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams

[Silverlining 0]

Thanks peoples for all your replies
P.S I have a little Tigger hanging from the rear vision mirror of my car! hehe

[LawnDart21 0]

I don't see the need to pull out an f-111 reserve if its less than six months. (totally arbitrary choice on my part) I leave my reserve packed & out of date during the winter (its about a 6 month stretch from last pack job of a season to 1st pack job of next season after winter.

--
My other ride is a RESERVE.

[LawnDart21 0]

No, I was saying that if someone wanted to know the canopy (manufacturer & model) of the "bricked" canopy, I would tell them via pm, I dont want to throw the name out here, because it does seem to be an anomoly and I dont want to sully their name in public.

Nope, no Winnie the pooh on my canopy, although I wouldn't mind an Eeyore canopy though.........lol

later

--
My other ride is a RESERVE.