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Parachutes
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roger
Jun 10, 2005, 9:31:51 AM6/10/05
to
Why is it that powered hang gliders like the doodlebug, mosquito etc carry
parachutes but microlights don't.?
parachutes but microlights don't.?
Steve
Jul 4, 2005, 5:16:19 PM7/4/05
to
An Excellent question!
I fly a flexwing microlight and have often wondered why Microlight Pilots do
not have parachutes.
The tandem seating position is rather confined and there really isnt room
for a parachute whilst your in the seat.
I think that is might be possible (certainly in my aircraft) if solo, but
not when flying with a passenger.
Some aircraft (probably less than 1%) are fitted with a Ballistic Recovery
System (BRS) which attaches to the monopole on the trike unit and has a
small charge which detonates when activated to throw a large chute capable
of slowing 300 kgs to the ground with 90% probabilty of survival.
I lost a friend to a microlight accident about a year ago, his accident
involved structual failure to a section of tubing where the wing attaches to
the trike unit and a BRS would probably have saved him.
The problem with BRS' is that I think there are more accidents and related
deaths with them going off accidentally that there are where lives are
actually saved.
A BRS going off in (controlled) flight would probably not be fatal as the
parachute would end up going through the prop damaging it to the point of
engine failure. IF the parachute becomes tangled in the prop the trike would
be overcome with drag and probably kill the occupants, however, if the
parachute was destroyed or detached from the prop, the pilot should be able
to make a safe forced landing.
Single Parachutes for the occupants assume that the pilot can attain a free
exit from the cockpit. In the case of flwxwing microlights, despite the open
cockpit, exit is restricted in several ways.
There are structure wires which attach to the A-frame the pilot uses to
control the aircraft. These pass both backward , forward and sidewards from
the control bar severley hampering exit.
Theres also the headset containing a cable which is effectively strapped
onto your head because your helmet fits on top of it.
Im always keen to encourage discussion on this sunject to raise awareness
and hopefully come up with a solution.
I fly a flexwing microlight and have often wondered why Microlight Pilots do
not have parachutes.
The tandem seating position is rather confined and there really isnt room
for a parachute whilst your in the seat.
I think that is might be possible (certainly in my aircraft) if solo, but
not when flying with a passenger.
Some aircraft (probably less than 1%) are fitted with a Ballistic Recovery
System (BRS) which attaches to the monopole on the trike unit and has a
small charge which detonates when activated to throw a large chute capable
of slowing 300 kgs to the ground with 90% probabilty of survival.
I lost a friend to a microlight accident about a year ago, his accident
involved structual failure to a section of tubing where the wing attaches to
the trike unit and a BRS would probably have saved him.
The problem with BRS' is that I think there are more accidents and related
deaths with them going off accidentally that there are where lives are
actually saved.
A BRS going off in (controlled) flight would probably not be fatal as the
parachute would end up going through the prop damaging it to the point of
engine failure. IF the parachute becomes tangled in the prop the trike would
be overcome with drag and probably kill the occupants, however, if the
parachute was destroyed or detached from the prop, the pilot should be able
to make a safe forced landing.
Single Parachutes for the occupants assume that the pilot can attain a free
exit from the cockpit. In the case of flwxwing microlights, despite the open
cockpit, exit is restricted in several ways.
There are structure wires which attach to the A-frame the pilot uses to
control the aircraft. These pass both backward , forward and sidewards from
the control bar severley hampering exit.
Theres also the headset containing a cable which is effectively strapped
onto your head because your helmet fits on top of it.
Im always keen to encourage discussion on this sunject to raise awareness
and hopefully come up with a solution.
Regards
Steve.
"roger" <pag...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:bDgqe.5343$q46....@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
Skysurfer
Aug 20, 2005, 7:17:02 AM8/20/05
to
Well, my mate flies a Doodlebug, and he doesn't wear a parachute, even
though he's a paraglider pilot, too. I'm still wondering how the hell you'd
use one, have you seen how they're strapped in them things??
Certainly wouldn't want on on my flex. Be worrying about getting out, rather
than trying to fly the beast.
Skysurfer
though he's a paraglider pilot, too. I'm still wondering how the hell you'd
use one, have you seen how they're strapped in them things??
Certainly wouldn't want on on my flex. Be worrying about getting out, rather
than trying to fly the beast.
Skysurfer
"roger" <pag...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:bDgqe.5343$q46....@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
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