What would be the effect of a thin layer of ice on a parachute canopy?
There are no aerodynamics other than pure drag. This does not even consider
that the trip down is going to be pretty quick anyway. Also the constant
flexing of the canopy is going to shed any layers that amounted to anything,
just like deicing boots. I'll wave to you on my way down!

"Matthew S. Whiting" wrote in message
...
Dan Thompson wrote:
The nice thing about a Cirrus is also you could always (i.e., once) pop
the
chute if the TKS couldn't keep up. I would think this would be
comforting
when choosing to fly through a what was believed to be little known ice
that
the TKS system should be able to easily handle, just in case you found
it is
was more ice than anyone would have expected and you ran out of other
options. I think the TKS/chute combo would allow a lot of flights that
would keep me on the ground otherwise.

Not me. I really doubt that the BRS chute has been tested in icing
conditions. I don't want to be the test pilot for it. I suspect a
parachute could pick up a LOT of ice in a hurry given its surface area.
You might come down a lot faster than you think.


Matt