Three reasons for APCO Mayday Square 160.
- SAFE
Stable descent, less pendulum
According to APCO, the square design gives a more stable descent with less pendulum effect and therefore a lower sink rate.
- PERFORMANCE
Sink rate 4.9 m/s at 160 kg
Measured by Air Turquoise. 38 m², 16 gores, 2.140 kg, packed volume 5320 cc. Certification EN/LTF (test report EP 376.2025).
- DURABLE
Mayday line since 1984
Over 30,000 reserves delivered and “hundreds of life saving deployments” according to APCO.
About this model.
According to APCO, Square Maydays are EN certified in three sizes (100, 140 and 160 kg), compact in size and weight, and supplied with a short Dyneema bridle for paragliding or paramotoring. Key traits: stable descent, low pack volume, fast opening, low sink rate.
Maintenance: APCO's Square manual recommends a repack every six months by a qualified person — in Germany a repack is mandated at least annually — plus an annual airworthiness check. Any Mayday product older than ten years must be retired. After a deployment a professional repack is mandatory.
Manuals and certificates.
Gallery.
Frequently asked questions about the APCO Mayday Square 160.
Does this reserve suit my weight?
The Mayday Square 160 is certified for a maximum suspended load of 160 kg. That means everything hanging under the reserve: you, harness, wing, instruments. Use your complete take-off weight, not your body weight.
What is special about this design?
Square canopy with 16 gores, 38 m². According to APCO the design gives a more stable descent with less pendulum effect and therefore a lower sink rate: 4.9 m/s at 160 kg, measured by Air Turquoise. Supplied with a short Dyneema bridle for paragliding or paramotoring.
How is the Mayday Square 160 certified?
Certification according to the manufacturer: EN/LTF (test report EP 376.2025). The reserve is made by APCO in Caesarea, Israel. The test report is available as a download.
How often must the reserve be repacked?
APCO's manual strongly recommends having the reserve repacked every six months by a qualified person; in Germany a repack is mandated at least annually — whether you flew or the reserve sat in its container all season. After every deployment it must be repacked before the next use. If the reserve gets damp, the manual requires opening it, drying it out of direct sunlight and repacking only when completely dry. The Square manual adds an annual airworthiness check; after ten deployments the reserve goes back to the manufacturer for inspection.
How long may I fly the reserve?
Ten years at most. APCO's Square manual states that any Mayday product older than ten years must be retired — even if it looks airworthy, because the materials age even in ideal storage. Storage per manual: packed for at most one year at a time, otherwise unpacked; cool, dry, dark, ventilated and away from fuel, oils and acids.
Will it fit my container?
Packed volume is 5320 cc at 2.140 kg, packed size 32.0 × 24.0 × 12.0 cm. Container and reserve must match: if the container is too large the reserve sits loosely and can shift; if it is too small you cannot stow it cleanly and it comes out less easily in an emergency. Tell us your harness and we will check the combination before you order.
