Thread: Parachute Re-Pack

Gents:
My 2003 manufacture CT2k is in for it's annual. Among the items being taken care of, is a repack of the BRS parachute that was installed in the aircraft at the time of creation. As required, the chute was sent to BRS in Minneapolis/St Paul - where it's been for well over a month - waiting in que - for it's time - behind - (apparently) anything else BRS has in mind to do. I'm a fan of the BRS system, and want a safe, workable, reliable parachute system installed in my aircraft, however, frankly - for an approximately $800.00 repack charge, I'd expected a quicker turn around with the parachute repacking process. I actually had expected that BRS would have had two or three 1,350 lb chutes on the self to swap for incoming chutes, but I was mistaken. For me, hopefully the wait is at least 1/2 over. I have one of the older CTs in the United States so my re-pack came first, but for the vast majority of the +300 CT owners in American the wait hasn't yet started. Perhaps this group, or the sales teams for the CT brand can lobby BRS for an improved processing system. Perhaps, someone else has had a better experience. Comments are welcome.

BTW: If every CT owner has to wait 2 months for their chute to be repacked, +600 months or over 50 man-years of waiting is in store for the CT community. Bring pop-corn and a good magazine - it's going to be a long wait.

Did you call them and tell them enough is enough. I agree a month is too long. A new chute is for a plane that most likely isn't flying yet, but a re-pack is for a plane that is already flying. Time to call them and tell them to get on their horse and get going.

That kind of waiting time is PAINFUL!

Unfortunately, it won't help CT2's long wait but I'm wondering if we could get BRS to start a "waiting list" for upcoming repacks. A few months before the repack is required, owners would call BRS and schedule a time for their repack. The chute would be sent in a week before we are scheduled for the repack. Even better, others have suggested that BRS keep some repacked chutes on hand that is dependent on the upcoming schedule. It would simply be a swap of chutes when we send one in. This might limit the downtime to a couple of weeks? My repack is 6 years out but I'd be willing to call them to see if they could get a system in place for this. Maybe other owners could do this too?

CT2, thanks for the head's up on this. I agree with the others. It's time to be the squeaky wheel!

The big year for these guys will be 2012. Many CT's were sold in 06 and 07. I have talked with the owner before. When it gets a little closer I agree a phone call to schedule or just a phone call to make sure they know a bunch will be coming in that year and we would like no long delays. I think it will work out. A little preemptive call should go a long way.

Even better would be for them to train and certify some of their dealers around the country to do the repack.

Hi Jim,

When I talked to them about the process it does take so very specialized equipment. I don't think dealers would be equipped for that and a dealer would have to have a master riggers license too. I think it's safe to say they have it totally to themselves.

OK Roger, then what about some service centers that have master riggers. I know of one master rigger who also was in South Africa designing and building their chutes, who is close to Louisville (as in UPS) Seems like BRS could approve someone like that.

Howdy Bob,

Nice to hear from you. Bet you guys are getting down in the temps about now?

The problem with someone else doing their re-packs would be that the equipment would have to be the same and not all chutes around the world are done the same. They explained the process to me just before the Page trip. It wouldn't be an easy thing to do without the proper equipment and training. Then I might worry a little about reliability. I think we would be better off having a nice chat with them about an expedient turn around and it would be better for all parties.

Just my take on the issue.

My guess is with the down turn in the economy and new aircraft sales being slow that they have down sized the company making them short handed. As all these chutes start needing repacked they should start to ramp up the help to get them done quicker. This is just a guess on my part. Tom