Are You Really Ready for Your First Flight of the Year?

Once again Spring has arrived and thoughts of long soaring flights fill your head as you open the trailer and pull the fuselage out for that first assembly of the year. You have done everything possible to get ready for the flight. The FLARM firmware is updated, logbook checked to see that the annual/conditional inspection is current, and reviewed the flight manual to make sure you know the assembly steps and checks. You completed the club’s spring checkout in the 2-place and reviewed your logbook to make sure you are current and have a valid Flight Review.

What did you forget?

What about the repack date on your parachute?

FAR 91.307 requires that parachutes made with synthetic fibers, like all modern emergency parachutes we use, must be repacked every 180 days. Not every 6 months, a maximum of 180 days is what the regulations require. Checking you find the last repack was in May 2024, you think, “No problem. I’ll just use it as a seat cushion, and get it repacked after this flight.”

Sorry, that’s not legal! FAR 91.307 (a) specifically says “No pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a parachute that is available for emergency use to be carried in that aircraft unless it is an approved type and has been packed by a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger.” It then goes on to say what the repack dates are.

Just like you wouldn’t ignore the 61.56 Flight Review or 61.57 Currency regulations, nor your clubs annual check-out rules, you can’t ignore the parachute repacking regulations. Put the glider back in the trailer and make arrangements with the rigger to get it repacked soon. Then enjoy those long soaring flights for the next 180 days.