rmarshall234 14 #1 July 17, 2009 One of my customers has a brand new, still in the box, 2003 National 425 he is interested in selling and asked me what it might be worth. Anyone care to help out and give your estimation? I won't see it to do an inspection until this weekend, but wanted to get a jump on things. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Robert Marshall Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fcajump 164 #2 July 17, 2009 Quote One of my customers has a brand new, still in the box, 2003 National 425 he is interested in selling and asked me what it might be worth. Anyone care to help out and give your estimation? I won't see it to do an inspection until this weekend, but wanted to get a jump on things. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Robert Marshall As even National won't service the rig after 20 years, start with that... 20-(age in years) X current retail price = max value now, deduct % age/wear/tear (sounds like none) That is my best estimate of "value" "Going price" should be related, but not always... Visit EBay, "wings and wheels", etc to see what they have been selling for. Now, if it is a seat rig... PM me and we'll talk. Might have a customer for you.JWAlways remember that some clouds are harder than others... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #3 July 17, 2009 No more than $900. IMHO Make sure he knows that it has a service life according to National and if your involved in the sale that the buyer knows it. from the latest manual The formal determination of “Time / Life” or service life of a non-military personnel parachute is still open ended and non specific. Someone must take the initiative and make a judgment call to ground it. By comparison: “Personnel (military) parachutes have a determined service life (a maximum shelf life) without use of 16.5 years, and every personnel parachute is stamped with a manufacturing date that starts its life-cycle clock. A personnel parachute is also stamped with the date that it is first placed in service (PIS). From that point on, a parachute’s service life cannot exceed 12 years. The longer the unit sits on the shelf the less service life it has once placed in service.” The Parachute Industry Association (PIA) has visited this issue without conclusion to date. Until the PIA specifies or recommends otherwise, it is the opinion of the current management at National Parachute that the maximum service life is 20 years from date of manufacture.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
likestojump 3 #4 July 17, 2009 Quote it is the opinion of the current management at National Parachute that the maximum service life is 20 years from date of manufacture. Opinion does NOT mean mandate, does it ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #5 July 17, 2009 Quotewhat it might be worth. Here's a baseline for a new one: http://www.nationalparachute.com/page8.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
likestojump 3 #6 July 17, 2009 QuoteQuotewhat it might be worth. Here's a baseline for a new one: http://www.nationalparachute.com/page8.html and here's a more realistic pricelist that shows what they really sell for as opposed to MSRP http://www.parachuteshop.com/NATIONAL_Parachutes.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #7 July 17, 2009 The statement used to be more wishy washy than this. This is new in 12/2008. I'm not going to be the one who argues with the FAA that the manufacturer's opinion doesn't have to be followed. Taken out of context I might consider it advice. Knowing that they want a service life, that the statement used to be more nebulous, and the rest of the context and history I'm taking it as a mandate for now. Another resonable person could have the opinion that it isn't a mandate and not follow it. It's what the Feds say that matters and that may vary with inspector. I'm SURE there are riggers who will pack National rigs past 20 years. Look at some of the crap on ebay that says freshly inspected and pack.NOBODY wants to be the first that says "THIS PARACHUTE IS NO GOOD AFTER x YEARS." I've had other (MOST) PEP manufacturers tell me they were going to put a service life in their manual but none have put a unambiguous statement in yet that I know of. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmarshall234 14 #8 July 18, 2009 Excellent. Thanks to all, for taking the time to help out. Sorry JW, it's the back model. RM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
