On Mar 17, 1:39 pm, "Tim Mara" wrote:
some emergency parachutes "can be" fitted with square (ram air) parachutes,
these are only for certified jumpers who have experience in this type of
parachute. However, it also should be noted that square parachutes do not
function like round or conical parachutes, they don't open reliably unless
you are in a stable position, something you likely will not be in
immediately after a bail out and may never be in if you're not an
experienced jumper, more likely you will exit and emergency bail out
tumbling and even with experience you may be disabled and unable to enter
into a proper PLF position for deployment. The standard round canopies used
in most emergency parachutes are extensively tested to open for all
positions, in all imaginable conditions, even soaked wet, mispacked or
other... the landing with a ram air parachute is also much like
flying....they can be flown very fast, slowed, even stalled (though for
emergency use they would be less controllable to limit these) you need to
learn to flare at the correct time to make that soft airshow like stand up
landing, otherwise your landing can be pretty eventful.....(ever notice how
many at the local jump site are wearing casts or walking with crutches? )
So IMHO and in the opinion of most manufacturers the ram air canopies have a
place, but not typically in emergency pilot rigs.
Tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website atwww.wingsandwheels.com


The manufacture of the linked parachute claims that the P-124 was
specifically designed as an emergency parachute for untrained airmen.
I'm also curious if anyone has used one.

Todd