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Parachute Updates / News
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Home Page | Parachute Models | Features | Stock List | Price List
Reasons To Buy National | Options | More About Us | Dealers | Links
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News
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Air Speeds & Parachutes
UPDATE: In recent years, aerobatics aircraft have seen a vast increase in performance and speed. During various maneuvers it is common to exceed 200 knots.
Parachutes, on the other hand, have not kept up with this increase. The typical "modern emergency parachute" (of various makes) manufactured in the 80's and 90's is rated up to a maximum deployment speed of 140-150 kts.
BACKGROUND:
In 1981, National set out to design and successfully market a parachute to meet customer demands & requirements in the following areas:
Small volume
Light weight
Comfortable
Competitive Price
Meet TSO Requirements
With the above parameters in mind, we developed the National line of emergency parachutes. Over twenty-five years and 15,000 parachutes later, we earned numerous letters of appreciation for saved lives.
The question some pilots now ask is "what will happen if I bail out and open the parachute at 200+ knots? The answer is "we can not predict the results." Although testing requires a margin of safety, we have no way to determine the breaking point. Our parachutes are rated at and clearly display a placard indicating 140 knots is the maximum deployment speed.
Emergencies come in different varieties. In a "high air speed" situation (beyond 140-150 kts.) the aircraft may become "aerodynamically dirty" and slow down considerably. If circumstances require an immediate "high air speed" bail out, we strongly advise the pilot to delay pulling the ripcord for 3-4 seconds after bailing out. In that short time, the human body in free fall will decelerate rapidly to air speeds falling within design parameters.
From a development & manufacturing standpoint, time will determine if a broad demand exists for parachutes designed to withstand increased air speeds. Given current parachute materials and technology, this design would be heavier, bulkier and considerably more costly. (END)
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JULY 2006 "National Flat"
For more pilot comfort options, we are now offering a new container model. For more info click here
JULY-AUGUST, 2003
Ripcord Pin Manufacturer "Capewell" has issued a Service Bulletin, the FAA issued a "SAIB" For information on testing ripcords, see the following:
www.capewell.com/PIAPIN.pdf
www.capewell.com/final_conclusions.cfm
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E-mail received June, 2006
Congratulations on saving another life! .
Mr. Stefan Dahlgren had to jump from a LS-4 glider at airdrome Vangso, Sweden with a National "ONE LAST CHANCE" Parachute to save his life. He's just fine, Glider is not. For more info on saves click: Parachute Saves
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PILOT FEEDBACK 01/19/2000
Patty Wagstaff LOVES the new "A" Harness, her comment:
"National Parachute is not only the finest maker of emergency parachutes--they continue to improve their product to benefit pilots like me."
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HISTORIC FLIGHT
When Dick Rutan and Jeannie Yeager flew the Voyager nonstop around the world, they needed reliable, low bulk and light weight parachutes...they flew with NATIONAL!
PARACHUTE SAVES
Click here to read letters of thanks from very grateful pilots.
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NATIONAL: Your One Last Chance!
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E-mail us
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