This parachute has never been worn, never been deployed, and apparently has never been out of the included storage bag.

It's one and only certification date is 2007.

Once purchased, I'll have the parachute inspected and certified by a licensed rigger. So it'll be good to go for the new owner.

$1000 + actual shipping cost. If you want YOUR rigger to certify it (instead of my local rigger), it's $1500 shipped.

Full retail is $3600. Silver is running a sale at $2400. I've priced it to not only account for the Silver discount, but also for the diminution in (perceived) service life remaining due to calendar time on the chute.

Also, this parachute is good for a $450 credit with Softie against a new one!

This item was included in an aircraft/hangar I purchased from an estate in 2023. It is in NEW condition, and it needs to find a new home.

It’s frustrating that these chutes have 20 year life limit, if I remember correctly.

Strong parachutes has NO LIFE LIMIT on its chutes... I have sent back chutes that were 30 plus years old , and had them recertified from the manufacturer... It sounds like you are not sure , and you just polluted the buying pool , with an uncertainty... This is the number for the manufacturer... Do some due diligence... I dont know if there is a life time limit ... The people that answer this number DO..
(360) 435-7220

Also you might want to verify if this a seat pack , or a Back pack... Looks like a back...

My 26 year old softie looks brand new, but for some wear on the outside of the container. Just repacked 2 weeks ago and rigger says it looks brand new and is 100% serviceable condition.

Kept dry and out of the sun (storage wise, not normal use wise) they will last a long time.

If it had an acro harness it would likely be on its way here. Good luck

Bruce I have an ACRO , check it out , just back from Strong... https://www.ebay.com/itm/126916275264

I came across the twenty year comment on the Silver Parachute website. My reference to “twenty years” was defensive, as much as anything else, knowing that someone else might either have this opinion, or may have read Silver’s article.

I have seen NOTHING about a 20 year life on Softie’s website, by the way. I guess I’ll have to call them for input.

One of the local skydiving club members asked me why I didn’t just keep it, and use it. I replied, “Because I won’t ever jump out of an airplane.” He replied, “You might want to ask (name withheld) for HIS opinion.”

The gentleman he referred to bailed out of his aerobatic plane during an inflight fire, and survived it.

I’m still not jumping out of an airplane, my airport friend’s survival story notwithstanding.

If someone here is in need of this parachute, I’ll leave it to them to make an informed decision about its longevity. I would assume that an inspection, repack, and recertification should be sufficient to validate its suitability and safety.

It is a back parachute.

I've dropped the price to $1,000 with cert., plus shipping, or $1,000 shipped (with the buyer paying for the cert).

This parachute qualifies for a $450 credit against a new Softie as well.

Allen Silver on the packing log - a legendary (and widely known) rigger for decades.

Dan

The service life of a reserve or emergency parachute is subjective and up to the opinion of a given parachute rigger. Parachute manufacturers have no control over the exposure to damage or other detrimental exposures that would compromise safety. An example:

"As a parachute designer and a parachute rigger, I do have my own professional limitations regarding service life limits for any reserve parachute from any and all manufacturers. I simply will not pack a reserve canopy which is more than 20 years old, and I don’t hesitate to share that position with any rigger who asks.

As a rigger, you have to make your own determination because you have this particular canopy in your hands. If you refuse to pack it, does that mean some other rigger may choose to put it back in service? Perhaps, but it is a decision that you have to make using your own judgment as a rigger.

George Galloway, President
Precision Aerodynamics
Master Parachute Rigger 2666652"

This was a hot and controversial subject back in the 70s and 80s (and beyond). Many manufacturers suggested imposing a 25 year life limit to reserve and emergency parachutes. Eventually, common sense took over and the recognition that time does not degrade the parachute, exposure to damaging circumstances can.

Dan