Currently required TS 108 tensile testing quiz

[councilman24 37]

What currently sold canopies currently require PIA TS-108 tensile testing at particular points in their life?

And its not PD reserves. PD recently deleted that requirement.

Particularly want to know if Rob knows.


An easier question that all riggers should know. What reserve manufacturer PROHIBITS clamps on their reserves for any purpose, packing or pulling?

If your a rep for one of the manufacturer's that is an answer disqualify yourself.

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

[skytribe 17]

Flight Concepts Don't like clamps at all. However I havent seen one of their reserves for years. Guess they aren't as popular as they once were.

[councilman24 37]

That's the easy one. With clamps shown for packing in the FAA Handbook I make sure my rigger candidates know about it.

Before he put the ban in the manual Red used to claim that clamps weren't allowed because it didn't say they were in the manual. I argued that with several references to tensile testing including the FAA Rigger Practical Test Standard that absence of any statement allowing them didn't mean they were prohibited. I guess he finally agreed with me that if he wanted to ban clamps he had to say so.

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

[riggerrob 643]

Free Flight Enterprises' Gary Douris used to say "don't put any of those nasty chemicals on my reserves."

These days, most of FFE's production is Preserve round reserves sold in Softie PEPs.
FFE and Strong were among the few para manufacturers who stuck with MIL SPEC mesh throughout the acid-mesh era. Ergo FFE and Strong canopies are among the few round canopies that don't need testing for acid-mesh.

[councilman24 37]

But Rob, what about the quiz? Has nothing to do with the acid mesh era and doesn't require pH testing.

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

[gowlerk 2,216]

Butler HX series, at every repack according to the manual.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[JerryBaumchen 1,371]

Hi Terry,

Quote

require PIA TS-108 tensile testing

If we use the thinking of the FAA on the service life of a certificated product, then for the mfr to actually 'require' it, would they have had to include it at the time of original certification.

That does not mean that they cannot strongly recommend it.

Guess what position the FAA would take if PIA were to write to them about this 'requirement?'

Your thoughts??????

Jerry Baumchen

[councilman24 37]

gowlerk

Butler HX series, at every repack according to the manual.

Half a winner. Butler HX AND LoPo. And current online manual has it recommened ever 2 years and required at 10 and 15.

I don’t remember any requirement for lopos but haven't dug out old manual.

And they have pulled the requirement for tube stoes for the diaper locking stows.

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

[rmarshall234 14]

>And they have pulled the requirement for tube stoes for the diaper locking stows.

Do you know why? I'm curious.

[MelStowe 0]

skytribe

Flight Concepts Don't like clamps at all.

I opened my reserve once at repack time, and out fell one of those cushioned plastic clamp tips. My rigger had it come off inside my pack, and either didn't notice it missing, or noticed but didn't bother to look for it inside my pack job. Hard to see how it could cause a malfunction, but it doesn't inspire confidence that such a thing could happen.

And once that tip comes off, is the rigger now using those bare metal sharp edges on other canopies? Eeek!

[riggerrob 643]

Only the rubber tip will make little difference during opening.

[councilman24 37]

rmarshall234

>And they have pulled the requirement for tube stoes for the diaper locking stows.

Do you know why? I'm curious.

Nope, unless it was during the time it was uncertain whether they would still be available. As I understand it Sunpath bought the rights to them from the failing Sky Systems.

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

[mjosparky 4]

I think the pull testing causes more damage to a canopy then a terminal deployment. Even after the test there is no guarantee it won’t on the next deployment. Flame away.

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[councilman24 37]

Others agree with you. Others do it a lot more than required or maybe prudent, some on every ramair every pack. (Not me)

But I have found bad fabric without mesh on both mains and ram air reserves. What is your alternative? Thumb test?

Doesn't matter much if manufacturer requires it. That why I'm going to train new riggers on how to do it right.

Count down to MEL..... 3, 2, 1....

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