p2008 parachute repack

[ChiMike]

I’ll pick up my aircraft from SportAir in North Little Rock on Monday and return to Nashville (KMQY). I’ll have more to say on my experience at that time. So far it appears everything has gone well.

[bigmo]

Mike, I've been thinking of having one put in my a/c. Still on the fence or not if it's a cost that will be captured in later resale. I did talk to Bill about it last year, maybe a bit earlier and the the chute maker was still in COVID recovery, but units were starting to flow. I recall, the all in cost was around $6500. Is that still the going rate?

[dave]

Jun 21, 2024 20:40:34 GMT bigmo said:

Mike, I've been thinking of having one put in my a/c. Still on the fence or not if it's a cost that will be captured in later resale. I did talk to Bill about it last year, maybe a bit earlier and the the chute maker was still in COVID recovery, but units were starting to flow. I recall, the all in cost was around $6500. Is that still the going rate?

I don’t know what manufacturers can be used on a Tecnam but you might consider a Stratus Magnum. The repack is $1460 every 6 years and the rocket is $1280 every 12 years.

[ChiMike]

My repack (with a new chute and rocket) was closer to $8k. The transport charges and shop charges added an additional $2k to the cost.

[remlap]

Jun 21, 2024 18:44:14 GMT ChiMike said:

I’ll pick up my aircraft from SportAir in North Little Rock on Monday and return to Nashville (KMQY). I’ll have more to say on my experience at that time. So far it appears everything has gone well.

[ChiMike]

The repack went well. The service tech showed me my new equipment, talked me through what would be done, and sent me a pictures of his in-process work. When I picked up the plane (it was with them for seven days) it looked great, the interior was back together, and all systems were normal when I flew away.

The new system is a single system of the parachute, rocket, and the “pull handle” which initiates the rocket ignition. The entire interior is removed to allow the “pull handle” cable to be positioned correctly under the floor of the cockpit. From what I can tell the interior install was done very capably.

The bill was more than I expected: I’d been quoted “it’s usually around $6,000” and paid a deposit so my new assembly could be ordered from the OEM in Europe. However, when it was all done the final bill was over $8,500. The difference was $1,850 in freight and handling costs and the rest in miscellaneous “shop fees.”

With my personal costs for flying to and from North Little Rock, two nights hotel, and commercial air tickets to return home after delivery until the plane was ready to pick up, I put another $1,500 or so into the project. Fortunately, VFR flying conditions there for the day they wanted the plane and the day they wanted me to pick it up, were good and didn’t create any delays or additional costs. I flew in the day before to give them the plane at 0800–and came back the evening before to pick up the plane at 0800.

All things considered, it was a positive experience. I’m good for another nine years. SportAir is the only OEM option I’m aware of. While I spent more than I expected, the shop was clean and professional, and I have my plane back. All good.

[ChiMike]

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