... the parachute system allows the pilot the option of taking ONE action that
will ensure survival in a wide variety of emergencies.

Well, not so fast. The ones that stick out in my mind (of course not a
statistical sample by any means!) involved parachuting into a fuel tank
farm (averted only because the pilot accidentally left the engine
running) and parachuting into water (losing the cushioning ability of
the landing gear). Once you pull the handle, you have little or no
control over the outcome.

All in all, I would tend to doubt the claim that it "ensures survival in
a wide variety of emergencies".

Jose
--
"Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where
it keeps its brain." (chapter 10 of book 3 - Harry Potter).
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.