Parachute Comfort

[AGL]

Given that I've got another 15-20 years of flying left, I was thinking of getting a new parachute since my current one won't last that long anyway and I might as well replace it and get a more comfortable one. ;-)

Of those sold by Strong, National, and Para-Phernalia, it appears that they are all perfectly functional, leaving the issue of comfort in the cockpit.

Other than the various models to pick from that fit your glider/body combination, is anyone knowledgeable about the comfort of the straps, strap pads, cushions, and general flexibility to help me decide which manufacturer parachute to buy?

Thanks

[Craig Funston[_2_]]

On Wednesday, March 27, 2013 12:48:17 PM UTC-7, AGL wrote:
> Given that I've got another 15-20 years of flying left, I was thinking of getting a new parachute since my current one won't last that long anyway and I might as well replace it and get a more comfortable one. ;-)
>
>
>
> Of those sold by Strong, National, and Para-Phernalia, it appears that they are all perfectly functional, leaving the issue of comfort in the cockpit.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 3/27/2013 12:48 PM, AGL wrote:
> Given that I've got another 15-20 years of flying left, I was
> thinking of getting a new parachute since my current one won't last
> that long anyway and I might as well replace it and get a more
> comfortable one. ;-)
>
> Of those sold by Strong, National, and Para-Phernalia, it appears
> that they are all perfectly functional, leaving the issue of comfort
> in the cockpit.
>
> Other than the various models to pick from that fit your glider/body
> combination, is anyone knowledgeable about the comfort of the straps,
> strap pads, cushions, and general flexibility to help me decide which
> manufacturer parachute to buy?


I have a Para-Phernalia I like very much. I have the "aerobatic"
harness, so the metal clips are up higher near chest and don't dig into
my hips like the lower clips tend to. I also like the cloth "sweat pad"
that snaps between the pilot and pack. It's more comfortable, and can be
unsnapped for washing (once year works for me).

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[2NO]

Assuming you fly in a club or cohorting with other glider guiders, best thing to do is test-sit the different rigs they have, in your particular glider.

Mine was made for powered acro pilots. It was very comfortable in my previous glider, but I have issues with it in my current ship.

2NO

[JS]

As Ted points out, besides personal preference much depends on the seat you'll be in. At one point I had a Mini Softie for Schleicher or LS and a National for Schempp-Hirth.
Wonder if the new narrow Softie container fits in S-H?
Jim

[JJ Sinclair[_2_]]

On Wednesday, March 27, 2013 5:19:57 PM UTC-7, JS wrote:
> As Ted points out, besides personal preference much depends on the seat you'll be in. At one point I had a Mini Softie for Schleicher or LS and a National for Schempp-Hirth.
>
> Wonder if the new narrow Softie container fits in S-H?
>
> Jim

The BRS is the most comfortable chute I have ever worn.............and I really like the 6 year repack cycle.
:>) JJ

[Tom K (ES)]

JJ, how is the BRS mounted and on what kind of glider? My concern with a airframe mounted system would be a mid-air collision where the piece of the aircraft that is connected to the chute is not the one I am sitting in. :)

Thanks,

Tom

[AGL]

On Wednesday, 27 March 2013 20:19:57 UTC-4, JS wrote:
> At one point I had a Mini Softie for Schleicher or LS and a National for Schempp-Hirth.
> Jim

IF a plane's seat is comfortable without a parachute, a constant thickness rectangular container 24 long and 15"-16" wide like the National "Flat" or the Strong 303 should merely move one forward that thickness, leaving about the same comfort. It's about the size of a person's back, so it ought to fit anywhere a person's back fits. True?

Everyone's plane is buried in snow these days, so it's hard to do trial fits. :-(

[Clay[_4_]]

"IF a plane's seat is comfortable without a parachute, a constant thickness rectangular container 24 long and 15"-16" wide like the National "Flat" or the Strong 303 should merely move one forward that thickness, leaving about the same comfort. It's about the size of a person's back, so it ought to fit anywhere a person's back fits. True?"

I think that is true. I'm tall so I fly w/o a seat back and with my National Flat packed thicker at the top to put my head forward a little and to make the transition from chute to the memory foam I sit on less abrupt. As Craig has suggested your rigger can adjust things and I would make sure that is allowed in any chute you buy. Though I've never popped it I'm happy w/ the National.

[Clay[_4_]]

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 10:21:44 AM UTC-4, Clay wrote:
> "IF a plane's seat is comfortable without a parachute, a constant thickness rectangular container 24 long and 15"-16" wide like the National "Flat" or the Strong 303 should merely move one forward that thickness, leaving about the same comfort. It's about the size of a person's back, so it ought to fit anywhere a person's back fits. True?"
>
>
>
> I think that is true. I'm tall so I fly w/o a seat back and with my National Flat packed thicker at the top to put my head forward a little and to make the transition from chute to the memory foam I sit on less abrupt. As Craig has suggested your rigger can adjust things and I would make sure that is allowed in any chute you buy. Though I've never popped it I'm happy w/ the National.

Oops, I've been informed that National Flats can't be packed tapered if manufactured after 6/2009 so buyer beware

[JJ Sinclair[_2_]]

I mounted a 1050 BRS canister below the rear hatch. The Genesis was designed with BRS in mind, but never tested. The bridle mounts to the 4 lift-fitting, hard points just inside the skin. When deployed below 130 knots and not over 1050 GW, it will bring me down wings level with nose down about 30 degrees. If I should get center-punched bad enough to wipe out the BRS, I figure I would no longer be among the living, anyway. I feel very secure with my little red handle at arms reach and talk about a comfortable cockpit!
JJ

[Craig Funston[_2_]]

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 12:15:30 PM UTC-7, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> I mounted a 1050 BRS canister below the rear hatch. The Genesis was designed with BRS in mind, but never tested. The bridle mounts to the 4 lift-fitting, hard points just inside the skin. When deployed below 130 knots and not over 1050 GW, it will bring me down wings level with nose down about 30 degrees. If I should get center-punched bad enough to wipe out the BRS, I figure I would no longer be among the living, anyway. I feel very secure with my little red handle at arms reach and talk about a comfortable cockpit!
>
> JJ

JJ, that's a pretty nice situation. Even though I rehearse the bailout sequence frequently, I've only got nominal confidence of getting out in a real emergency. Side mounted SH canopy drops my confidence even lower.

Craig

[Frank Whiteley]

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 1:15:30 PM UTC-6, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> I mounted a 1050 BRS canister below the rear hatch. The Genesis was designed with BRS in mind, but never tested. The bridle mounts to the 4 lift-fitting, hard points just inside the skin. When deployed below 130 knots and not over 1050 GW, it will bring me down wings level with nose down about 30 degrees. If I should get center-punched bad enough to wipe out the BRS, I figure I would no longer be among the living, anyway. I feel very secure with my little red handle at arms reach and talk about a comfortable cockpit!
>
> JJ

But JJ, unlike most of us, you have confidence (and experience) in capsule descents;^)

[Paul Remde]

Hi Frank,

You have me very curious about that comment. Was JJ an astronaut?

Paul
___________________

"Frank Whiteley" wrote in message
...

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 1:15:30 PM UTC-6, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> I mounted a 1050 BRS canister below the rear hatch. The Genesis was
> designed with BRS in mind, but never tested. The bridle mounts to the 4
> lift-fitting, hard points just inside the skin. When deployed below 130
> knots and not over 1050 GW, it will bring me down wings level with nose
> down about 30 degrees. If I should get center-punched bad enough to wipe
> out the BRS, I figure I would no longer be among the living, anyway. I
> feel very secure with my little red handle at arms reach and talk about a
> comfortable cockpit!
>
> JJ

But JJ, unlike most of us, you have confidence (and experience) in capsule
descents;^)

[Tom K (ES)]

Or a 'Vark driver??

[Frank Whiteley]

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 7:20:58 PM UTC-6, Tom K (ES) wrote:
> Or a 'Vark driver??

That's it. Came down safely somewhere near Roseville, CA, IIRC. McClellan AFB was depot maintenance for the F-111 and they had to be test flown at the end of the visit of course.

[JJ Sinclair[_2_]]

Actually, we parked a F-111F on the south side of Carson Sink east of Fallon, NV in 1972. Got her into a spin at 20,000 feet. After holding stick full forward, rudder neutral and roll-augmentation off for 8000 feet, we raised the little handles........everything worked as advertised. Sure is nice to have a readily available back up plan.
JJ

[Clay[_4_]]

On Friday, March 29, 2013 9:18:42 AM UTC-4, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> Actually, we parked a F-111F on the south side of Carson Sink east of Fallon, NV in 1972. Got her into a spin at 20,000 feet. After holding stick full forward, rudder neutral and roll-augmentation off for 8000 feet, we raised the little handles........everything worked as advertised. Sure is nice to have a readily available back up plan.
>
> JJ

Thanks to all you guys out there who have served. I could read this kind of stuff forever. Please don't be shy about it.

[Wayne Paul]

"Paul Remde" wrote in message ...

Paul,

No, JJ was a F-111 Weapons Officer

_______________________

Hi Frank,

You have me very curious about that comment. Was JJ an astronaut?

Paul
___________________

"Frank Whiteley" wrote in message
...

On Thursday, March 28, 2013 1:15:30 PM UTC-6, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> I mounted a 1050 BRS canister below the rear hatch. The Genesis was
> designed with BRS in mind, but never tested. The bridle mounts to the 4
> lift-fitting, hard points just inside the skin. When deployed below 130
> knots and not over 1050 GW, it will bring me down wings level with nose
> down about 30 degrees. If I should get center-punched bad enough to wipe
> out the BRS, I figure I would no longer be among the living, anyway. I
> feel very secure with my little red handle at arms reach and talk about a
> comfortable cockpit!
>
> JJ

But JJ, unlike most of us, you have confidence (and experience) in capsule
descents;^)

[Frank Whiteley]

On Friday, March 29, 2013 7:18:42 AM UTC-6, JJ Sinclair wrote:
> Actually, we parked a F-111F on the south side of Carson Sink east of Fallon, NV in 1972. Got her into a spin at 20,000 feet. After holding stick full forward, rudder neutral and roll-augmentation off for 8000 feet, we raised the little handles........everything worked as advertised. Sure is nice to have a readily available back up plan.
>
> JJ

I think I confused that with one that happened while I was at McClellan in the early 1980's that ended near the RR tracks near Roseville. Certainly more 'interesting'.

Frank

[Dan Marotta]

<snip>
Everyone's plane is buried in snow these days, so it's hard to do trial
fits. :-(

Not in New Mexico! Check OLC... ;-)))

[Dave Nadler]

On Friday, March 29, 2013 8:15:21 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Everyone's plane is buried in snow these days....

Huh ?
http://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-2.0/gliding/daily.html?st=olc&rt=olc&df=2013-03-30&sp=2013&c=C0&sc=