Tim and Big John, thanks.

Gregg, thanks also, but at present I am more convinced by Tim and
John. I looked up Rigging Innovations and their comments on their
emergency chute for pilots. I noted that it said “ . . . allows for
their use by aircrew personnel with minimal additional training
required over and above what they receive on current round parachute
systems”.

As a BGA Regional Safety Officer, I don’t feel comfortable advising
people to buy chutes that need any training – it will fall mostly on
deaf ears. The reality is, I believe, that most UK glider pilots have
not and will not experience any training beyond a verbal briefing.
“Air experience” flights, people taking a flight following purchase by
a relative or friend for a birthday etc., and many others pre- and
post solo, are never going to get any better than that. In the UK,
almost all 2-seater flights happen with both pilots having chutes.
Solo pilots virtually all fly with chutes, ditto experience.

For the time being, I will stick with round, tested for use by
inexperienced people, and preferably TSO’d or equivalent, and advise
my colleagues similarly when asked.

Chris N.