Microlighters

Hello all

My first post on this forum, but I really enjoy the chatter. Thanks everybody.

Perhaps this one has been discussed at length before my time, but BRS parachutes are now cheap enough to consider fitting, and I was wondering if there are any stories out there from pilots who have actually deployed them, particulary in South Africa.

I read the Austalian report, but can't see how deploying it while already in 130 ft per min sink would have helped. I also have heard of 2 Cirrus deployments.

Anybody out there know of someone who has done it here?

Petrodactyl

hi. where did you find the info on the australian deploymen/s? I would like to check it. Thanks.

The Australian incident was something that I assumed many had already seen. I thought that it was posted on this forum about a year back, but it might have been one of the others, or an article in a magazine. I have tried to google it to no avail.

If my sketchy memory is right, the pilot, flying an Aquilla, turned into a low cloud bank shortly after take off, and in low/no visibility conditions, hit sink. I should have qualified my first statement by saying that he reported that he had a high sink rate even at full power. He deployed the 'chute before killing the engine, and ended up with the (fortunately still intact) shrouds wound around his prop, and so was lowered to the ground feet first, sustaining very minor injuries.

To me this does not add up - a parachute in rapidly sinking air will deploy, sure,but your velocity towards the ground will still be high. Maybe he got lucky and moved out of the sinking air. It also begs the question as to whether the sink was pilot induced, from disorientation.

Petrodactyl

If it is the story I think it is, it was on this forum yes and if I remember correctly the pilot was losing altitude because he was disorientated in low cloud and entered a spiral dive - Pulled the ballistic and survived.

Must say I dig the ballistic and feel uncomfortable in an airy that does not have one fitted

D

I'm not questioning the need for a 'chute. One of our club members had an engine out recently (503 single ignition) low down and found a clear landing - did a great job. He has now changed to dual ignition and has bought a 'chute to be fitted soon.

Also, I was part of the gaggle at the december Plett flyaway that witnessed a gaggle member also lose a single Ign. rattex over Knysna - lots of height - landed unscathed. The day before he had been communing with whales at o feet about 2 kays off Plett beach (parachute wouldn't have helped, I know), but we had flown the whole coast from St Francis over the sea due to hanging cloud. Makes you think a bit.

It would just be good to hear some first hand accounts of parachutes being used

Petrodactyl

I only remember one on the forum a while back. Guy in NZ took off in foggy conditions after telling his pax on phone weather was closed in. He pulled as he was dropping and pulled before he went lower than the highest point in that area. Name was "mac something" I think.

Don't know why I thort NZ - Broken brain ...was Mc Guyver.

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I know that Ballistic chutes have been discussed in some detail on this site before, can't seem the find the thread though. Can anyone give me a website address for supplier.

It is an option I am considering

cheers

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Microwave and Junkey in one posting. It's so sad.

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Thanks Bennie, much appreciated !!

do I see two new members in here? welcome gents I hope you enjoy your stay and the insanity offerd in here

Jetlag wrote:Thanks Bennie, much appreciated !!

Hey glad to see there is guys from the free state joining this forum lately I always wondered if there is some Micro light activity going on in Bloem and Kroonstad.

Ya, Thanks for the welcome Bennie.

I suppose that it is gratifying to see that many out there have the BRS or GRS 'chutes fitted, but no-one (on this forum, anyway) in South Africa has had to use one yet. Do we put it down to careful pilots - thorough pre-flights and good safety margins ( altitude etc)? It seems that many accidents occur due to low flying, where a parachute is redundant anyway.

I must say that I am happiest straight and level with a good 3 minutes of glide time under my @rse. A parachute would only add to the peace of mind.

Petrodactyl