On the topic of “when to use the Chute”, if one has no alternative but to "ditch " the SR20, would deploying the chute be reasonable?. The aircraft is a total loss in any case, but what about the difference in impact?
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On the topic of “when to use the Chute”, if one has no alternative but to "ditch " the SR20, would deploying the chute be reasonable?. The aircraft is a total loss in any case, but what about the difference in impact?
This has been discussed several times already. The POH specifically mentions ditching as a time to use the chute. There is only one “con” that has been raised, which is the possibility of the chute draping over the plane, but with any wind at all this seems unlikely.
The pros are several - fixed gear and water has the possibility of causing the plane to flip - the chute will eliminate the possibility. Hitting water at 70 knots going forward has to be much more dangerous than hitting vertically under the chute at a much lower speed.
The ferry pilots I have heard from all agree they would use the chute over water.
On the topic of “when to use the Chute”, if one has no alternative but to "ditch " the SR20, would deploying the chute be reasonable?. The aircraft is a total loss in any case, but what about the difference in impact?
Keep in mind that the chute when deployed will also help keep freezing rain off the wings in winter (help solve the iceing problem), and provide shade in the summer. Consider too that, as survival gear, the chute may work as a fish net, as a sail for your raft, clothing, bandages, signaling device, fire starter and more just in case you’re stranded on a deserted island (See the movie “Cast Away” with Tom Hanks for more ideas).
Carrying a sharp knife on board is a must. As an experienced skydiver, I can tell you that whenever we were jumping anywhere even close to water we always carried a knife. Its true that the wind, even a breeze, would blow the canopy away but the problem becomes the hundreds of feet of lines draped all over the place and the hundreds of square feet of soggy canopy. You can quickly get tangled in these and need some way of cutting your way free … especially in this case where the plane may be going to the bottom fast and taking the chute and everything else with it.
Hope never to have to try it out.
Rob Bondy
PS: I did several intentional water landings under canopy - never had to use the knife.
On the topic of “when to use the Chute”, if one has no alternative but to "ditch " the SR20, would deploying the chute be reasonable?. The aircraft is a total loss in any case, but what about the difference in impact?
This has been discussed several times already. The POH specifically mentions ditching as a time to use the chute. There is only one “con” that has been raised, which is the possibility of the chute draping over the plane, but with any wind at all this seems unlikely.
The pros are several - fixed gear and water has the possibility of causing the plane to flip - the chute will eliminate the possibility. Hitting water at 70 knots going forward has to be much more dangerous than hitting vertically under the chute at a much lower speed.
The ferry pilots I have heard from all agree they would use the chute over water.
If you ever get caught in the water trapped under a 'chute, try following a seam, any seam to the end. All seams end up at the edge of the chute (or the middle in which case you just follow any seam away.
Key thing is not to panic.