Parachute recommendations

I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

On Mar 15, 10:24*pm, Jim Meade wrote:
I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. *Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. *INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

The National "Softie" is probably the best selling emergency parachute
on the market. Strong makes a great bailout rig as well. The most
important thing in a parachute for glider/aerobatic flying is the
right fit, profile, and comfort of the system which depends greatly on
the seating arrangement in the aircraft you're flying. Ideally, and
most likely you will never use it in an actual jump, but you will
spend many hours sitting against it. Make sure that it is going to be
comfortable in your aircraft. Paragear has a great catalog. Also, as
a skydiver with 1000+ jumps, glider, and recreational aerobatic pilot
I highly recommend that you go through a basic jump course and at
least a few levels of AFF or static line training at least to the
point where you feel comfortable with getting out of an aircraft and
opening the parachute on your own. There's no point in having a
parachute if you are too scared or don't have the proper training to
use it. At the moment of truth, if you ever need to use it, you want
to have all the cards stacked in your favor.

Blue Skies,
Adam

Oh, one more thing...make sure that the parachute you buy is
sufficient for your weight. A parachute that's too small is better
than none at all, but could mean the difference between landing
completely unharmed and landing with two broken legs.

Blue Skies,
Adam

On Mar 15, 10:54 pm, Adam D wrote:
Oh, one more thing...make sure that the parachute you buy is
sufficient for your weight. A parachute that's too small is better
than none at all, but could mean the difference between landing
completely unharmed and landing with two broken legs.

Blue Skies,
Adam

Size and operating environment. Out west, you might land at 10,000msl
or higher.

Any UK distributors selling Irvin's?
http://www.irvinaerospace.com/build.html
They have a 29.8ft canopy in an emergency chute.

Frank Whiteley

On Mar 15, 11:52*pm, Adam D wrote:
On Mar 15, 10:24*pm, Jim Meade wrote:

I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. *Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. *INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

The National "Softie" is probably the best selling emergency parachute
on the market. *Strong makes a great bailout rig as well. *The most
important thing in a parachute for glider/aerobatic flying is the
right fit, profile, and comfort of the system which depends greatly on
the seating arrangement in the aircraft you're flying. *Ideally, and
most likely you will never use it in an actual jump, but you will
spend many hours sitting against it. *Make sure that it is going to be
comfortable in your aircraft. *Paragear has a great catalog. *Also, as
a skydiver with 1000+ jumps, glider, and recreational aerobatic pilot
I highly recommend that you go through a basic jump course and at
least a few levels of AFF or static line training at least to the
point where you feel comfortable with getting out of an aircraft and
opening the parachute on your own. *There's no point in having a
parachute if you are too scared or don't have the proper training to
use it. *At the moment of truth, if you ever need to use it, you want
to have all the cards stacked in your favor.

Blue Skies,
Adam

I believe Adam is referring to the "Paraphernalia" Softie Line
http://www.softieparachutes.com/

I have a Mini Softie and have been very happy with it. I also own a
National chute. They both are highly regarded companies/designs on
the market.

Curt - 95

On Mar 15, 8:24 pm, Jim Meade wrote:
I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

Find a good parachute rigger knowledgeable about emergency (glider,
aerobatic etc.) parachutes and ask them. One place to start is whoever
packs parachutes for local glider pilots. Where are you located? Maybe
people here can recommend somebody if they know where you are. There
are lots of variables with brand and models and harness options and
how well it fits you and the glider, and canopy size, and maybe
tailoring the harness to fit you well, and ... lots of reasons to deal
with a professional (ideally the person can also do some basic ground
training for you and will be repacking your chute).


Darryl

Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Mar 15, 8:24 pm, Jim Meade wrote:
I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

Find a good parachute rigger knowledgeable about emergency (glider,
aerobatic etc.) parachutes and ask them. One place to start is whoever
packs parachutes for local glider pilots. Where are you located? Maybe
people here can recommend somebody if they know where you are. There
are lots of variables with brand and models and harness options and
how well it fits you and the glider, and canopy size, and maybe
tailoring the harness to fit you well, and ... lots of reasons to deal
with a professional (ideally the person can also do some basic ground
training for you and will be repacking your chute).

Good idea in general, though the vast majority of parachute riggers have
absolutely no clue what parachute style is most suitable for particular
types of gliders. Much as I like and respect our friendly local rigger,
for instance, one may get better advice on that subject here.

My experience: I initially purchased a Long Softie (chair style) on the
advice of our local rigger, which worked OK in several older
semi-reclined gliders, but was rather uncomfortable in newer gliders. I
sold it and bought a Mini Softie (backpack style), which is more
comfortable for me in just about any glider, as well as in Citabrias, etc.

Marc

On Mar 15, 11:47 pm, Marc Ramsey wrote:
Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Mar 15, 8:24 pm, Jim Meade wrote:
I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

Find a good parachute rigger knowledgeable about emergency (glider,
aerobatic etc.) parachutes and ask them. One place to start is whoever
packs parachutes for local glider pilots. Where are you located? Maybe
people here can recommend somebody if they know where you are. There
are lots of variables with brand and models and harness options and
how well it fits you and the glider, and canopy size, and maybe
tailoring the harness to fit you well, and ... lots of reasons to deal
with a professional (ideally the person can also do some basic ground
training for you and will be repacking your chute).

Good idea in general, though the vast majority of parachute riggers have
absolutely no clue what parachute style is most suitable for particular
types of gliders. Much as I like and respect our friendly local rigger,
for instance, one may get better advice on that subject here.

My experience: I initially purchased a Long Softie (chair style) on the
advice of our local rigger, which worked OK in several older
semi-reclined gliders, but was rather uncomfortable in newer gliders. I
sold it and bought a Mini Softie (backpack style), which is more
comfortable for me in just about any glider, as well as in Citabrias, etc.

Marc

And I brought the same long-softie for possibly the same glider a
DG-300/303, on recommendation from possibly the same rigger. If you
buy a long-softie that is designed for a more reclined seating
position, I think it comes implicitly with the idea that it won't
necessarily be comfortable in all gliders - but maybe that's not
obvious. It was incredibly comfortable in the DG-303 and front seat of
a DG-1000, but when I brought my ASH-26E I purchased a mini-softie
after measuring the seat back cutout and talking to my rigger to
confirm what chute should work best. If somebody was buying a
parachute for a DG-30x or DG-80x today I'd still recommend they look
at a long-softie unless they also wanted to fly gliders here it did
not work (e.g. Schleichers with small seat back cutouts). The long-
softie also has lots of space to stow some basic survival gear in the
lower foam padded seat cushion extension (spare hat, charts, pocket
knife, etc.).

A rigger not familiar with emergency chutes will probably have no
idea, for those who are you at least have a chance. The best thing for
fit to the glider is to try out parachutes from other pilots in your
actual glider.

Darryl

I sold nearly 200 new and used parachutes in the last year, mostly to glider
pilots but a large number to airplane pilots and many used for both airplane
and glider and a very large number were exported out of the USA. There are
important considerations depending on pilot size, weight and the type of
airplane/glider you'll be using it for most...in general, back pack
parachutes will most normally fit a larger variety of planes best. I offer
Strong, National and Paraphernalia parachutes, all are excellent quality but
all have different styles and fit. I also have helped National modify some
designs and introduce new versions to suite other pilot needs, some National
designs have been copied by both Strong and Paraphernalia....the GRF for
instance was one of my designs now offered by both Strong and Paraphernalia
and the National "teardrop" is offered by Strong and Paraphernalia as a
Wedge model.
Best to know the seller who really knows the subtle differences in models
and airplane/glider types you might fly, and get a chute based on what is
best for you. Please see my website page
http://www.wingsandwheels.com/page39.htm with links to the major
manufacturers and call me if you have questions....I'm always here (M-F
9-4), ready to help you make the best choice.
Best regards
Tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website at www.wingsandwheels.com

"Jim Meade" wrote in message
...
I'm looking at a parachute for a glider. Would like to use it for
other flying, as well, if it is suitable. INo clue of the advantages/
disadvantages of any of them.

Suggestions?

Darryl Ramm wrote:
And I brought the same long-softie for possibly the same glider a
DG-300/303, on recommendation from possibly the same rigger. If you
buy a long-softie that is designed for a more reclined seating
position, I think it comes implicitly with the idea that it won't
necessarily be comfortable in all gliders - but maybe that's not
obvious.

Actually, no, I bought the Mini Softie after I figured out I wasn't very
comfortable in the 303 or the Duo. I think he just considers Long
Softies to be the parachute that glider pilots buy...

Marc