Parachute option

What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

Fred

On Mar 31, 4:43*pm, "Fred Blair"
wrote:
What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

Fred

Take a look at http://www.butlerparachutes.com/
Mine is quite small.

-Tom

It depends - what speed do you want to hit the ground?

Mike

Fred Blair;688425]What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

Where do you live? Your choice of parachutes will be different if most of your soaring was done in the UK versus Colorado.

- Barry Muhlenberg

In article ,
"Fred Blair" wrote:

What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

Fred

Nationals are/used to be the lightest of the parachutes available in the
U.S.

My National 360 is not very comfortable in my Libelle, but I bought it
primarily for use in power plane with a very small cockpit. I like my
Strong 305 for glider use.

Texas mostly
"tomcatvf51" wrote in message
...

Fred Blair;688425]What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will
support a 200 lb. pilot?

Where do you live? Your choice of parachutes will be different if most
of your soaring was done in the UK versus Colorado.

- Barry Muhlenberg




--
tomcatvf51

On Mar 31, 3:43*pm, "Fred Blair"
wrote:
What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

Fred

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92bkf1mg24Q
You can just keep it in your shirt pocket.

Looks a little bulky for my Libelle.
wrote in message
...
On Mar 31, 3:43 pm, "Fred Blair"
wrote:
What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb.
pilot?

Fred

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92bkf1mg24Q
You can just keep it in your shirt pocket.

On Mar 31, 6:43*pm, "Fred Blair"
wrote:
What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

"Small" isn't precise enough. If you're tall, it also depends on your
ratio of torso height to leg length. For me (6'3"), the critical
factor is where the point of maximum thickness is. I need a chute
that's thicker in the lumbar area but very thin behind the shoulders
so I can sit back ALL the way in the cockpit and close the canopy.
Most chutes are uniformly thick or a little thicker behind the
shoulders and don't work at all for me. That said, I flew a 201
Libelle for years with an old Navy backpack that wasn't thin (or
light) at all. From the specs and photos, the best solution (in the
US) seemed to be a Softie Wedge. I bought a used one with a new canopy
and it came packed just like a regular Softie; i.e., not nearly thin
enough behind the shoulders. I sent it back to the rigger with
instructions to pack it like the photo. When it was returned, it was
better--and usable--but still much thicker behind the shoulders than I
wanted. I talked to the factory and they told me to send it to them
for repacking and they'd make sure it was done right. Haven't done
that yet so I'm hopeful.

Which brings up a good point: if you buy a chute like this, don't
assume the rigger will pack it the same way. I've had to deal with
this for years. Include the owner's manual but also a note regarding
where you want the maximum thickness.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

On Apr 3, 10:10*am, wrote:
On Mar 31, 6:43*pm, "Fred Blair"
wrote: What is the lightest, smallest parachute that will support a 200 lb. pilot?

"Small" isn't precise enough. If you're tall, it also depends on your
ratio of torso height to leg length. For me (6'3"), the critical
factor is where the point of maximum thickness is. I need a chute
that's thicker in the lumbar area but very thin behind the shoulders
so I can sit back ALL the way in the cockpit and close the canopy.
Most chutes are uniformly thick or a little thicker behind the
shoulders and don't work at all for me. That said, I flew a 201
Libelle for years with an old Navy backpack that wasn't thin (or
light) at all. From the specs and photos, the best solution (in the
US) seemed to be a Softie Wedge. I bought a used one with a new canopy
and it came packed just like a regular Softie; i.e., not nearly thin
enough behind the shoulders. I sent it back to the rigger with
instructions to pack it like the photo. When it was returned, it was
better--and usable--but still much thicker behind the shoulders than I
wanted. I talked to the factory and they told me to send it to them
for repacking and they'd make sure it was done right. Haven't done
that yet so I'm hopeful.

Which brings up a good point: if you buy a chute like this, don't
assume the rigger will pack it the same way. I've had to deal with
this for years. Include the owner's manual but also a note regarding
where you want the maximum thickness.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Absolutely - there's a lot of lattitude in the packing. I have a
National 425 which I can have packed with a uniform thickness or with
a "reverse taper" that puts more material at the lower (lumbar) area
and less at the top. I think you should have a conversation with the
dealer/manufacturer and describe your specific needs. You may be
pleasantly surprised.