pc repair?

[BASE1190]

My 46" pc suffered a nasty tear two nights ago. It looks like maybe it can be repaired with a simple patch. Is this a good idea, or am I just asking for trouble? I'm thinking of buying a new pc, but using the repaired one in the future when I do static line or pca. What do you think? Attached is a picture of the damage. Also if you have an unvented zp 46" pc that you want to sell, let me know. Thanks.

-Adam

[mknutson]

My 46" pc suffered a nasty tear two nights ago. It looks like maybe it can be repaired with a simple patch. Is this a good idea, or am I just asking for trouble? I'm thinking of buying a new pc, but using the repaired one in the future when I do static line or pca. What do you think? Attached is a picture of the damage. Also if you have an unvented zp 46" pc that you want to sell, let me know. Thanks.

-Adam
This is just my opinion.... but I am VERY strange when it comes to superstitions and OCD. I personally think that your PC is sooooooooooooo important, that it is just not worth repair to this degree. I would just never feel comfortable on the edge knowing I had a ZP patch on that whole.

Like I said, that is just me.

But, in reality, taking this to any rigger should be able to put a nice patch on the PC. But even then, you better check the PC each and every jump just to make sure.

[BASE1190]

Yeah, I agree about how important the pc is, and I already check the pc before every jump. It may end up costing only a little more to just buy a new one over having it repaired. I'm planning on buying a new one anyway, but for PCA and static line jumps, where the pilot chute is really only used as a backup, then do you think a patch would be acceptable?

[mknutson]

then do you think a patch would be acceptable?
IMHO, only if there is a reserve.

[ZegeunerLeben]

>>If you use it as a SL backup, and the breakcord fails, and your patched PC fails, and you go in, eveyone will call you a dumbass.

[BASE1190]

Why would the pilot chute fail? I was concerned about asymetrical loading on the pc, which would be much greater of a concern if it was to be used as a freefall pc. I see no reason why this pc should fail after it is repaired. Please enlighten me.

[mknutson]

Why would the pilot chute fail? I was concerned about asymetrical loading on the pc, which would be much greater of a concern if it was to be used as a freefall pc. I see no reason why this pc should fail after it is repaired. Please enlighten me.

I was in Kjerag several years ago and there was a jump made from some of the UK crew. when they go to the ground they noticed one of their pilotchutes was totally shredded. It was a 42" pilotchute There was no actually reason for this non-repaired to actually fail. This was a fairly long delay, but still....

My issue is that if a repaired pilotchute does fail, you are in trouble. And the likelyhood that a repair can fail is greater than a non-repaired pilotchute.

Are there any riggers that would like to comment?

[Mac]

I was in Kjerag several years ago and there was a jump made from some of the UK crew. when they go to the ground they noticed one of their pilotchutes was totally shredded. It was a 42" pilotchute There was no actually reason for this non-repaired to actually fail. This was a fairly long delay, but still....

My issue is that if a repaired pilotchute does fail, you are in trouble. And the likelyhood that a repair can fail is greater than a non-repaired pilotchute.

Are there any riggers that would like to comment?

Was this the 42 taken over 10?

[hamsandwich]

Yo A.

A proper patch wouldn't fail anymore than a seam from construction, it's just bulkier, and as 1190 said MAYBE could cause asymmetry.

That said, It's not cost effective to patch a PC. You'd have to un-serge the PC to be able to lay it on the table to sew a patch. You're better off retiring it and hanging it on the wall.

-

[BASE1190]

Okay so what I think I will do is pull the pc zp inside out, hot knife the edges of the tear, line up the rip stop, and sew the tear together. This will indeed cause some assymetry of the pc, but the plan is to use this as a beater and backup only for static line and pca, and therefore the assymetry will be inconsequential (I think). Thoughts or comments from riggers? Anyone want to volunteer their sewing machine?

[hamsandwich]

You can't sew it even inside out presents the same problem until you open up the join of mesh zp. Try ripstop tape from the inside and outside. It's not getting stowed. Personally I wouldn't be because where are you going to draw the line on when to retire gear before the gear retires you... But it will hold as long as you make sure to sandwich it.

Get video. :-)

-d

[mknutson]

Was this the 42 taken over 10?
8-10 I think....