Of parachutes and things

In article ,
Todd Pattist wrote:

orce.

I'd also suggest that after you practice your clear and
pull, you bag the chute and lines in something clean (I
don't like plastic much so I use a white shopping bag with
handles.) I try to keep the lines separate from all the
Velcro to prevent them from being torn up by bagging them
and closing the Velcro up. It's also a good time to look it
over and get familiar with the parts you've never seen
before.


Or even better, pull it at the riggers loft and stick around to watch
him pack it.

--
Dale L. Falk

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing around with airplanes.

http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html

In article , Dale
writes:

Or even better, pull it at the riggers loft and stick around to watch
him pack it.

Good thought, and you could ask your rigger all those questions like: "Hey,
what's that?" or "Which toggle or steering line do I pull to steer the chute?"

But the regs require the rigger to air the parachute for 24 hours. That's why
you often see the A-I-R written on the packing data card.

A-ir (for minimum 24 hours)
I-nspect (inspect entire system, including harness, container, etc.)
R-epack (in accordance with the manufacturers instructions)

Like your airplane mechanic, be skeptical of everything he does, and don't be
afraid to ask lots of questions. I actually don't mind when a parachute owner
asks questions.

Also, (going out on a limb here) I believe EVERY pilot, especially aerobatic
pilots should make at least ONE jump to acclimate themselves with being out of
the plane and under canopy. Also, knowing how to do a proper PLF is important
(being able to walk to a road or nearby house for help).

Blue skies.........

Glenn

"GKgloc" wrote in message
...
Also, (going out on a limb here) I believe EVERY pilot, especially
aerobatic
pilots should make at least ONE jump to acclimate themselves with being
out of
the plane and under canopy.

I'd say that it wouldn't do me a whole lot of good, considering
I don't wear a chute...

Paul

Glenn,

Funny you should say that about making a jump. That was on my list of
things to do before I turned 30, so I did it a few years ago. I can safely
say, without a hint of exageration, that I have never been more frightened
in my life than I was in the time between leaving the aircraft and feeling
the tug of the chute grabbing air. But I thought after one jump that now I
knew what to expect so maybe the second jump would be better. That time was
equally frightening. Combining that with the fact that I enjoyed the
airplane ride to altitude more than I enjoyed the jump convinced me that I
had not, in fact, found a new hobby! Still, I'm glad I did it.

The whole issue of using the chute looms very large in my mind. I know I
have to have a predetermined bailout condition so I'm not trying to make my
mind up in the panic of the moment, and that practicing the exit is
important. But I'm not really sure if, in the situation, I'd really have
the balls to jump. I hope to never find out, but it does worry my
sometimes.

As for making a jump with my bailout parachute, I had thought that was a
good idea. You know, what better way to get to know your equipment than to
use it? Then I had a discussion about this with a new Pitts pilot who also
happens to be an officer in the British Army Parachute Regiment. He argued
against jumping in the bailout chute as it's only designed as a lifesaver
and not to be used repeatedly and, since it requires a ripcord to be pulled,
I'd be unlikely to find anyone who'd jump with me to make sure I didn't kill
myself. And if, for some unknown reason, I damaged it on the jump, I'd have
to buy a new one at over $1,000. All seemed good enough points to me. That
and I didn't really wanna do it anyway, so any excuse was good enough for
me!

Thanks for the tips and advice. I've been surpised at the amount of help
I've gotten on this one. I'm leaning toward the Softie Wedge as it's been
recommended many times and seems no better or worse than anything else out
there.

Cheers,
Shawn
"GKgloc" wrote in message
...
In article , Dale

writes:

Or even better, pull it at the riggers loft and stick around to watch
him pack it.

Good thought, and you could ask your rigger all those questions like:
"Hey,
what's that?" or "Which toggle or steering line do I pull to steer the
chute?"

But the regs require the rigger to air the parachute for 24 hours. That's
why
you often see the A-I-R written on the packing data card.

A-ir (for minimum 24 hours)
I-nspect (inspect entire system, including harness, container, etc.)
R-epack (in accordance with the manufacturers instructions)

Like your airplane mechanic, be skeptical of everything he does, and don't
be
afraid to ask lots of questions. I actually don't mind when a parachute
owner
asks questions.

Also, (going out on a limb here) I believe EVERY pilot, especially
aerobatic
pilots should make at least ONE jump to acclimate themselves with being
out of
the plane and under canopy. Also, knowing how to do a proper PLF is
important
(being able to walk to a road or nearby house for help).

Blue skies.........

Glenn

"ShawnD2112" wrote in message news:AnZDc.1369$Dq1.851@newsfe6-win...
Was hoping to get a bit of expertise here. I'm in the market for an
emergency bailout chute for flying in my Pitts S-1D.

I've bought two new Butler seat packs four years ago that I use in my
S2-C. Happy with them. Would buy them again.

Doug Carter

How well do the seat packs work in the Pitts? While I have a cushion or two
under me, I didn't think there would be enough room for a seatpack chute.
Obviously I was wrong?

Cheers,
Shawn
"Doug Carter" wrote in message
om...
"ShawnD2112" wrote in message
news:AnZDc.1369$Dq1.851@newsfe6-win...
Was hoping to get a bit of expertise here. I'm in the market for an
emergency bailout chute for flying in my Pitts S-1D.

I've bought two new Butler seat packs four years ago that I use in my
S2-C. Happy with them. Would buy them again.

Doug Carter

"ShawnD2112" wrote in message ...
How well do the seat packs work in the Pitts? While I have a cushion or two
under me, I didn't think there would be enough room for a seatpack chute.
Obviously I was wrong?

I have three cushions, 1", 2" & 4" thick for each seat bottom (as well
as 1" & 2" back cushions). Combination used depends on pilot height.
I'm 5' 11" and use the 1" in the back seat. Note that the back seat
has the least head room; you can jack up a little higher in the
front.

The advantage of the seat pack is that it keeps you further from the
panel. The panel is a bit close (for me) to begin with.

In the Decathlon I used a back pack with no cushion behind it.
Different seat geometry. In the Yak I used seat packs; they have a
bucket for that.

Hope this helps...

Doug Carter
Pitts S2-C.

p.s. All my friends with S1-S & S1-T single seaters use seat packs as
well. dc

"ShawnD2112" wrote in message news:AnZDc.1369$Dq1.851@newsfe6-win...
Was hoping to get a bit of expertise here. I'm in the market for an
emergency bailout chute for flying in my Pitts S-1D. The top US contenders
seem to be National and Softie but with no experience in the field, and
parachutes not exactly being the kind of object you can try on for size in
the shop, I don't really know what to look for and what to avoid. I'd
appreciate any tips anyone out there could provide. Are there any European
models that anyone has any experience with? Obviously comfort and space in
the cockpit are major considerations.

Thanks!
Shawn

Shawn,

I just bought a softie chute for my Pitts S1C. It is a special one
made for the Pitts S1. It is a seatpack in the shape of a wedge. Its
not listed on their web site but they will make you one. I'm a big guy
and the S1C is the smallest Pitts. If it works for me in my plane it
should work for you in yours. Call Dan or Jim at Parapania and ask
about it.

Good Luck,
Ernie

Ernie,
I think Jim was telling me about you. He mentioned making one special for a
C when I spoke to him last week. He suggested I go for a seatpack since I'm
sitting on about 4" of cushion at the moment. Only being 5 10" I've got a
bit of headroom to play with. Which harness rig did you go for? How
satisfied were you with their customer service? How comfortable is your rig
during aerobatics?

Thanks for the tips,
Shawn
"Ernest C. Byars" wrote in message
om...
"ShawnD2112" wrote in message
news:AnZDc.1369$Dq1.851@newsfe6-win...
Was hoping to get a bit of expertise here. I'm in the market for an
emergency bailout chute for flying in my Pitts S-1D. The top US
contenders
seem to be National and Softie but with no experience in the field, and
parachutes not exactly being the kind of object you can try on for size
in
the shop, I don't really know what to look for and what to avoid. I'd
appreciate any tips anyone out there could provide. Are there any
European
models that anyone has any experience with? Obviously comfort and space
in
the cockpit are major considerations.

Thanks!
Shawn

Shawn,

I just bought a softie chute for my Pitts S1C. It is a special one
made for the Pitts S1. It is a seatpack in the shape of a wedge. Its
not listed on their web site but they will make you one. I'm a big guy
and the S1C is the smallest Pitts. If it works for me in my plane it
should work for you in yours. Call Dan or Jim at Parapania and ask
about it.

Good Luck,
Ernie

"ShawnD2112" wrote in message ...
Ernie,
I think Jim was telling me about you. He mentioned making one special for a
C when I spoke to him last week. He suggested I go for a seatpack since I'm
sitting on about 4" of cushion at the moment. Only being 5 10" I've got a
bit of headroom to play with. Which harness rig did you go for? How
satisfied were you with their customer service? How comfortable is your rig
during aerobatics?

Thanks for the tips,
Shawn
"Ernest C. Byars" wrote in message
om...
"ShawnD2112" wrote in message
news:AnZDc.1369$Dq1.851@newsfe6-win...
Was hoping to get a bit of expertise here. I'm in the market for an
emergency bailout chute for flying in my Pitts S-1D. The top US
contenders
seem to be National and Softie but with no experience in the field, and
parachutes not exactly being the kind of object you can try on for size
in
the shop, I don't really know what to look for and what to avoid. I'd
appreciate any tips anyone out there could provide. Are there any
European
models that anyone has any experience with? Obviously comfort and space
in
the cockpit are major considerations.

Thanks!
Shawn

Shawn,

I just bought a softie chute for my Pitts S1C. It is a special one
made for the Pitts S1. It is a seatpack in the shape of a wedge. Its
not listed on their web site but they will make you one. I'm a big guy
and the S1C is the smallest Pitts. If it works for me in my plane it
should work for you in yours. Call Dan or Jim at Parapania and ask
about it.

Good Luck,
Ernie

Shawn,

I am very satisfied with their service. Dan said he would take the
chute back if I was not happy with it. I don't think you will find
much better service than that. If you can use a 4" cushion you won't
have a problem. I was sitting on a 2" cushion before. With the wedge
seat pack I can even move it foreword to sit lower than a 2" cushion.
My plane is open cockpit so if I sit too high I am out in the
slipstream. If you have a canopy you should be able to sit higher than
me. I am 5' 11" so that gives you another inch to work with. You may
not even need the wedge option. I like the wedge because I can adjust
my height in the cockpit by moving the chute foreword or back. I went
for the standard harness instead of the aerobatic harness. I asked Jim
this question. What is the disadvantage of the aerobatic harness? His
answer, the disadvantage of the aerobatic harness vs. the normal is it
takes more time to put the aerobatic harness on. The plus is the
normal harness may be uncomfortable during extended negative G
maneuvers if your seat belts go across the quick releases. Negative G
maneuvers may cause the quick releases to press hard into your thighs
causing pain or even bruises. My seatbelts did not interfere with the
quick releases so I opted for the standard harness. They provided me a
chute to try out before purchase. I initially wanted the aerobatic
harness but the standard harness was comfortable. So I ordered the
standard one. I don't think a chute will ever be as comfortable as a
cushion though. But the added safety factor is a real plus when you
are doing maneuvers for the first time or in the event of an airframe
failure. I hope I have answered some of your questions. If I can be of
more help please let me know.

Ernie