Parachute safety is no accident. A little time and effort on the part of the pilot will increase the odds of a successfull bailout should the need arise. No one intends to have an emergency but that is no excuse for being unprepared. Here are some hints and tips to assist you in learning all about your parachute. Check back for new hints to be added.
The Whole Package
When considering your safety equipment,
think about the entire package. Obviously, your parachute is the first priority
in the event of a bailout. But what about protecting your head? There is a good
chance of hitting the aircraft as you bail out, or hitting your head when
landing with your parachute. What if you don't bail out and make a forced
landing? You'll definitely want good head protection. If there is a fire in the
cockpit, nomex clothing (such as a flightsuit and gloves) will protect you
while you escape the aircraft. Give yourself every opportunity to survive an
emergency.
Eject! Eject! Eject!
A question that comes up quite often is
"How do I bailout of my jet? I've disconnected the ejection seats. What do I
do?" Ejection seats were put there for a purpose. They are basically the only
way to get out of a high-speed aircraft and miss the tail (unless you happen to
be very very lucky). Climbing out over the side is not a good option,
especially when there are engine inlets in the way. Although I certainly would
try it, if it's my only option. For the most part, above 180mph you will find
it practically impossible to get clear of any aircraft. If you don't have
ejection seats, make the decision to bailout early before excess speed can
build up, and don't expect miracles from your parachute.
Recurrent Training
At least once a year you should review all
your emergency bailout procedures with your rigger or better yet set up a
seminar at a meeting of your flying group (such as an IAC Chapter) or thru the
FAA's safety program.
Protect Your Parachute So It Can Protect You
A useful idea to
help protect your parachute from dirt, insects and rodents is to purchase a
Tupperware type plastic container with a snap on type lid. Ttry Wal-Mart or
K-Mart. Make sure it's big enough for your parachute. You can also place
desiccants in the container to help absorb moisture. Of course you still must
store it in a cool, dry, dark place off the floor.
Upgrades Aren't Just For Computers
Check with the factory or
your rigger to see if any upgrade modifications are available for your
parachute. Manufactures frequently upgrade their equipment or issue service
bulletins. Remember that only the factory or a Master Parachute Rigger is
authorized to make major repairs and alterations.
Don't Flare a Round Parachute
Most pilot emergency parachutes
have a round canopy. These are very different from the rectangular, ram-air
parachutes that skydivers use. Ram-air canopies are a flying wing and are
flared on landing (both steering handles are pulled down at the same time just
before touchdown). DO NOT do this with your round parachute! You will
dramatically increase your rate of descent and your likelihood of serious
injury if you land this way. The steering system on your round chute is for two
purposes: 1) to miss life threatening obstactles and 2) to face into the wind
on landing. Remember, only pull one steering handle or rear riser at a time and
then return it to its neutral position before pulling the other.
All Good Things Must End
Don't expect your parachute to last
forever. With proper care you should expect to get 20 years of service out of
your expensive cushion. Most manufacturers agree that parachutes should be
removed from service after 20 years. Studies have shown that nylon deteriorates
with age whether it is used on a daily basis or stored on the shelf and never
handled (This isn't just a ploy to make you buy a new chute!).
Clean Out the Cobwebs
When a new flying season approaches you
need to make sure your mind is just as ready to fly as your aircraft is. Dust
off the checklists in your head by reviewing your emergency procedures before
and after each flight, just in case. A good starting point is to review my
Bailout Procedures article. Be
prepared before you blast off into the heavens, just in case the unthinkable
happens.
Duct Tape Can't Fix Everything
Even though your airplane may
be held together with duct tape and bailing wire, do not use any type of tape
on or near your parachute or seatbelts. The glue can get onto the nylon
webbing, container or canopy and it will weaken the nylon. Over time this can
cause your parachute to fail when you need it the most. Preventive care on you
part will save you costly repairs or replacement of your parachute.
Home For the Holidays
When the holidays and winter approach
make sure you store your parachute properly. Some of you will be skiing or
sitting by the fireplace, but where will your parachute be spending the winter?
Make sure you store it in a cool, dry, dark place off of the floor. A closet at
home is perfect. Some people buy plastic boxes with snap-on lids. These work
great. If you're in a humid area make sure you put something in the box to
absorb moisture.
Pad That Seat
To prevent wear to the back or bottom of your
chute, remember to pad the seat with something like a piece of carpeting or
1/4"felt padding. Be careful when you attach it; tape oozes glue from its edges
and over time can severly damage the nylon harness/container. If you remove a
seat cushion to accomodate your chute, make sure that the hook (scratchy) part
of any Velcro is never in contact with your parachute harness or container. It
can do serious damage to your expensive cushion.
Jettison the Canopy
If you decide to make a forced landing
instead of bailing out, consider sliding back or jettisoning your aircraft
canopy prior to the landing. If you flip over, the canopy could trap you. Don't
count on breaking out of the canopy with a Life Hammer or similar tool.
Canopies are tougher than you might think.
Styrofoam Popcorn is Evil
When you package your parachute for
shipping to your favorite rigger, don't pack it with loose styrofoam chips or
popcorn. Besides making a mess and taking forever to clean off, it can get into
your ripcord cable housing and possibly prevent you from pulling the ripcord.
Get a box that your parachute fits in tightly. Parachutes won't break, so
there's no need to use any loose packaging material. If you need to fill out
the box use something like bubble wrap or crumpled paper.
Practice Pulls
Whenever possible, pull your ripcord for
practice before having your parachute repacked. Your rigger should talk you
through the proper procedures. If shipping your parachute for repack, pull the
ripcord in a clean area away from priceless heirlooms. The spring-loaded pilot
chute will fly out several feet, knocking over any vases or lamps in its way.
Put the canopy in a clean plastic bag taking care not to snag the lines or
material on any velcro. While it's open, check out the location and color of
your steering handles. If there are no steering handles, have your rigger
install a set.
Remove the Chest Strap First
When taking off your parachute,
get in the habit of unfastening the chest strap first (if you have one) and
then the leg straps. If you bailout and land in strong winds you will be
dragged along the ground by your parachute. Removing the leg straps first could
cause the chest strap to come up and choke you.
The Hand-Over-Hand Method
In case you can't get out of your
harness while being dragged, an alternate method is to collapse the canopy.
Grab any line or two lines that are side by side and pull them hand over hand.
Don't let them slip back thru your hands. Pulling the skirt of the chute
towards you in this manner will collapse the canopy and stop you from being
dragged.
They're More Than Just a Fashion Statement
A nomex flightsuit
and gloves can enhance your chances of a successful escape in the event of a
fire and a helmet can protect your head should you strike something when
bailing out or landing with your parachute. Wearing these protective items
makes good sense all the time even if you cannot bailout and must land with the
aircraft.
Long-Term Storage
If you are storing your emergency parachute
for longer than six months (especially in hot, humid climates), pull the
ripcord, take all the suspension lines out of the rubber bands and remove the
rubber bands from the parachute. Rubber bands can deteriorate and melt onto
lines during prolonged storage, ruining the parachute.
Is Your Parachute Steerable?
Ask your rigger at the next
repack and inspection what type of steering system your emergency parachute is
equipped with and how to use it. A steering system is easy and inexpensive to
install. It may be invaluable if you ever need to use your parachute in an
actual emergency.
Parachutes Have Logbooks, Too
Do you know where your packing
data card is on your parachute? If not, find it or ask your rigger. This is the
official record of repacks and maintenance on your parachute. The packing data
card pocket can also be a good place to store small items such as a signaling
mirror in case of a bailout.
Make Sure Your Parachute Fits
Have your rigger show you how to
preflight and adjust your parachute harness. You can fall out of an improperly
adjusted harness. Falling out of your harness after a bailout can make a bad
day even worse!
Avoid Entanglements
Cords from your headset or helmet can
entangle with a deploying parachute. Consider installing a male/female type
release within a few inches of the helmet. This will leave the majority of the
cord inside the aircraft in a bailout. There is no need to disconnect it before
bailing out, the release will pull apart when you exit the cockpit.