Understanding the Importance of a Reserve Chute
Your reserve chute is the one piece of gear you hope never to use, but it's the last line of defence if your wing can't be flown any further. Unlike a wing, you can't feel a reserve degrade in the air — you only find out it works when you throw it. That's why buying a used reserve chute deserves more care, not less, than buying a used wing.
Key Factors to Check When Buying a Used Reserve Chute
Before you even look at a specific reserve, ask the seller for its full history: how many years old it is, how many times it's been packed, whether it's ever been deployed (even once, in training or in the air), and whether the original test report and documentation are still available. A reserve with a clean, complete paper trail is worth far more confidence than one with a good price and no history at all.
Inspecting the Condition of the Canopy
Unpack the canopy fully — ask the seller to do this with you if you're buying in person, or request clear photos and video if buying remotely. Look at the fabric for discoloration, stiffness, porosity, or any smell of mildew, which can point to improper storage. Check every seam and reinforcement point for fraying or loose stitching. Run your hands along the lines for fraying, sun damage, or uneven stretch between lines of the same length. None of this replaces a proper inspection by a qualified repair service, but a careful look yourself will tell you quickly whether a reserve is worth pursuing further.
Evaluating the Deployment Mechanism
The handle, the pins, the bridle, and the inner container all need to move smoothly and predictably. Pull the handle (with the reserve out of your harness) and confirm the pins release cleanly, without snagging fabric or line. Check that the bridle isn't twisted, kinked, or showing wear at the point where it attaches to your harness. A reserve that deploys hesitantly in a calm test is not one you want to rely on in a real emergency — this is one area where it's genuinely worth having a professional take a second look before you fly it.
Checking for Expiry Dates and Certifications
Reserve chutes don't expire in the way food does, but they do need a valid test report at defined intervals, and this varies by model and manufacturer. As one example of how a manufacturer documents this — and not a suggestion that any particular reserve is right for you, since suitability depends on your own weight, experience, and setup — the Donut 90 SL is a lightweight reserve chute designed for pilots weighing up to 90 kg, and its listing calls for a valid test report every 6 years or after 200 packings. Always ask for the exact interval and packing count for the specific reserve you're considering, and confirm the last repack date matches what the seller tells you. If a reserve is past its interval or close to it, factor the cost and hassle of a fresh repack and inspection into your decision.
Final Checklist for Safe Purchase
- Full history: age, packing count, any deployment history
- Canopy fabric, seams, and lines inspected for wear or damage
- Handle, pins, and bridle tested for smooth, clean deployment
- Current test report and certification documentation in hand
- Repack interval and packing count confirmed against manufacturer requirements
This guide covers general-purpose reserves and doesn't get into the specific considerations for acro or competition-class reserve systems, which have their own requirements. Also worth remembering: used safety equipment is often sold as-is and may not be returnable once opened or repacked, so take the time to inspect thoroughly before you commit. If you're unsure what a used reserve — or the rest of a second-hand setup — is actually worth, Altura's gear valuation tool is a straightforward way to get a clearer picture before you buy or sell.