The discussion of wearing parachutes is an interesting one. Parachutes are
cheap insurance and, when one is needed, nothing else will quite do the job.
So, why aren't they universally worn?

In a word, weight. The available two seaters, for the most part, have
weight limitations that almost preclude wearing 'chutes. Two 17 pound
'chutes rob 34 pounds from what may be only 380 pounds of allowable cockpit
load. The choice becomes, wear 'chutes and fly over gross weight or leave
them behind. In the USA the choice is almost always to leave them on the
ground when flying two seaters. Pilots of single seaters choose to wear
'chutes far more frequently since the payload permits it.

Requiring the wearing of 'chutes will put a lot of people into violation of
the C of A or rule them out of the sport entirely - neither is an acceptable
option.

The choices a

1. Make humans lighter - working on that.
2. Make 'chutes lighter - little more to be gained here.
3. Make glider manufacturers build two seaters with greater payload.

Number 3 is the real problem. I suggest we insist on at least 200 Kilos
minimum certifiable payload after allowances for oxygen and avionics.

Bill Daniels