Jack wrote:

Michael wrote:

My informal survey suggests that about a

quarter of those who make emergency
bailouts on round parachutes go to
the hospital afterwards....

It's your choice to accept an emergency
parachute that has a high probability of

putting you in the hospital if you use it.

One in four is no kind of "probability" at all, let alone a high one.

I'd be much more interested in seeing even an informal analysis of
unsuccessful attempts to bail out.

I think this is the bigger problem. Those that don't get out of the
glider usually die. Once most pilots have Roeger hooks on their gliders
and the muscle strength to lift themselves out of the cockpit easily,
then it might be worthwhile trying to minimize the landing injuries.

Even better is to avoid the collision in the first place. The Europeans
now have an additional choice beyond "see and avoid": the "Flight Alarm"
device from www.flarm.com. Over 450 of these devices have been
delivered, and 2000 more are scheduled for delivery this year.

However, if a couple of jumps appeal to a pilot, it sounds like learning
to use a square reserve would be enjoyable and, in addition, provide
some slight additional safety for soaring.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA