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05-29-2011, 10:53 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRTS
Posts: 1,798
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Right now I'm planning on using a chute from work (if it's legal) otherwise I'll borrow one, unless I can be convinced other wise and several experienced builders can tell me my work is good enough to not worry about.
The airport and test area are sparse desert, and as was mentioned my two biggest fears are structural failure, and fire. In either case, it'll be insured and I'll have no problem "giving it back."
__________________
Next?, TBD
IAR-823, SOLD
RV-8, SOLD
RV-7, SOLD
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05-29-2011, 01:25 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southlake, Texas
Posts: 626
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Using a Chute
It sounds so reasonable to wear a chute for your first flight until you put it into practice. Most of us will not be able to wear a chute and sit in the normal position in the cockpit. You will be pushed forward, and possibly higher. The stick will be in your lap. You will feel awkward at a time when you want to be comfortable and relaxed.
Most GA pilots have had no parachute training, and only know to pull the D-ring to open the chute. I'd guess that an untrained pilot's ability to egress an RV on his first flight, and successfully deploy a chute to a safe landing would be close to zero. Now, consider how wearing the chute will make flying your new airplane even more challenging, then it make very little sense.
If you were wise enough to use an aircraft engine and propeller, and you built your RV using accepted aeronautical standards, then your new airplane will be about as experimental as the next Cessna 172 coming off the line.
Jay Pratt at RV Central has made at least 35 first flights in every kind of RV. Ask him how many times he wore a parachute. I completely agree with him, and have made two RV-8 first flights myself, happy not to be wearing a chute.
__________________
Danny King
Beautiful Doll 80434 TT 1675 hours
I0360 A1B6 200 HP
Christen Inverted Oil
First Flight 12 July 2000
VAF Dues current for 2020
Last edited by Danny King : 05-29-2011 at 01:30 PM.
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05-29-2011, 02:18 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 47
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Danny if you take your seat back cushion out it is a wash on seating position pretty much. I did make a 1/2" cushion out of sleeping bag mat so the chute and seat back don't rub. I've also used it for a tall person's ride or two.
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Don Prosise
N642DP RV-6 180,CS,Flying
N848DP RV-8A IO-360-A1A Flying
Chandler, AZ
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05-29-2011, 04:47 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 602
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Are there examples of an RV crashing in an early-phase flight where the pilot was killed but, had he worn a chute, he might have bailed out and survived?
__________________
Jeff Rosson
Repeat Offender
RV14 - Working on Empennage/Tail Cone
RV9A - Completed! First flight on July 18, 2012!
Based at Merritt Island, FL (KCOI)
VAF Number: 1170
----
Star Trek Quote: "Logically, it could work. Also, logically, there are a hundred variables, any one of which could put us in a worse position than we're in now." Mr. Spock in Return to Tomorrow
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05-29-2011, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 1,958
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Not to toot my own horn here, but as a former sport skydiving instructor I can say from experience that the odds of making a successful first freefall with no formal instruction along with the added stress of bailing out of your new airplane on one of its first flights are seriously stacked against you. Go get some skydiving instruction first if you feel you want a parachute during phase 1. You'll learn a lot, and besides, it's fun!
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05-29-2011, 06:17 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 1,095
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Danny & Kurt, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I have had no jump training at all, but I'd rather have the option to at least attempt a bail out if things came to that. I've got quick release pins on my slider, so getting out isn't a problem. After that, from what I'm told from very reliable sources, emergency parachutes are designed to open successfully even if you're tumbling. I believe the OP was probably asking about emergency parachutes vs. skydiving (rectangular) 'chutes.
I truly don't believe the statement that you have a zero chance of making a successful jump. Sure, your chances would be a lot better with training. But zero?? Gimme a break. 
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Sonny W
Boise, Idaho
RV-7A Flying!
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05-29-2011, 07:26 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
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I've known of at least two people who bailed out of a disabled experimental aircraft on their "first" jump. Both survived with minor scratches.
I've been through jump "ground school" but have never actually jumped. It might not be pretty, but I think I could survive.
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Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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05-29-2011, 07:34 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,275
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Structural failure or fire as concerns. Fair enough.
But you are far better off building it according to plans, use quality components and accepted aircraft practices, and double and triple check all critical connections.
Use an EAA Tech counselor or equivalent and have someone more experienced make the few few flights.
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06-01-2011, 02:43 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Belvidere, IL
Posts: 169
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I wouldn't necessarily go out and buy a brand new parachute... but I'd certainly make an effort to borrow one for the first flights. Also, read a few articles about emergency chutes, familiarize yourself with the parachute and give some thought to when/how you will bail out. If you're inhaling smoke and wrestling a canopy against aerodynamic loads... it's not a good time to formulate a bail out procedure.
I personally know two pilots who are alive because of emergency parachutes. The first was due to a midair collision. The second happened to a licensed flight instructor in a homebuilt glider. He was working a rough thermal and at some point found himself in an unrecoverable spin. His full-flying tail was stalled and wouldn't respond to his inputs. He landed safetly by parachute... his glider impacted in the same field.
__________________
David Shelton, Aerospace Engineer and Soaring Nut.
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06-01-2011, 02:53 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Belvidere, IL
Posts: 169
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I'd second some skydiving instruction... mostly on the argument that you will have some fun! Besides, you might be slightly less hesitant to bail when you need to.
Getting out is often the hardest part and that's something that skydiving can't help you with. Imagine trying to open a jammed canopy while the aircraft is tumbling... or standing up against 3 or 4 g's. Getting out can be difficult and you probably don't have much time to do it! One German study examined accident reports and found that a large number of people tried to bail out and were not successful.
__________________
David Shelton, Aerospace Engineer and Soaring Nut.
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