On Nov 20, 10:02*am, vic20owner wrote:
Well, then it sounds like I should buy a parachute after I solo!

Actually, since it sounds like you plan on sticking with soaring
(great to hear!) and want a chute, it is never too early to begin
getting used to the care/feeding/operation of a potential critical
life saving device. Buy a chute now and wear it proudly. It makes a
lot more sense to take up the empty space between you and the seatback
with a chute than with crusty club cushions or dirty laundry! I
recommend a Softie as they are very comfortable and have the slowest
decent rate per canopy diameter.

I bought a National for my first chute since I figured I would get
the cheapest chute I could lacking information otherwise. My National
is NOT comfortable on longer flights and never really 'broke in' and
got any better. It also has the highest decent rate/canopy diameter
since it has the least amount of panels/risers which makes the
deployed canopy draw tighter, into smaller diameter and thus be less
effective (in addition to using more porous fabric). A lot of people
swear by Strong chutes, and their track record shows they do indeed
work. I find them overly bulky myself, and (supposedly...) the design
has not been updated since it's inception, despite many material and
technique advances in the industry. There are others of course too,
but those are the 'big three' available at most US glider related
outlets. Any is better than none, as there are more members of the
'caterpiller club' here than we would like to think.

-Paul