Parachute choices

[NightFlyer312]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

What kind of chute works best in the RV8? I guess it kind of depends on the seats, so any advice there would be welcome as well. Thanks!

My question is, does anyone think they can really successfully egress from an "uncontrolled" RV-8 at the AGL altitudes most of us fly at? This goes double if you carry a passenger. I can't imagine trying to get the canopy to slide fully open enough while also trying to stand up and egress over the side? Now try to do all this in a Spin or Tumbling Aircraft? Those who fly with Parachutes, do you have a special Modified quick eject canopy?

[donaziza]

I badly wanted to get one. But here's what I discovered. Even with the backrest cushion out, my knees still tended to be under the bottom of the instrument panel. And then, I've also got doofinkies sticking out from my panel, that my knees would also have to get past. A Garmin 496 jutting out, and also a tablet out on a Ram mount. So I'm thinking, I would have to get my heels up on the edge of the seat before I could try to "push" myself out. You guys get the idea. So I simply haven't gotten a chute.

How bout you guys that "do" have chutes? Can you get your knees clear easily??
And Oh yeah, per post #11, I have modified my canopy to be ejected off the plane.
Oh, and oh yeah, I'm not some 6 foot plus guy, I'm only 5' 10"

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by NightFlyer312

My question is, does anyone think they can really successfully egress from an "uncontrolled" RV-8 at the AGL altitudes most of us fly at? This goes double if you carry a passenger. I can't imagine trying to get the canopy to slide fully open enough while also trying to stand up and egress over the side? Now try to do all this in a Spin or Tumbling Aircraft? Those who fly with Parachutes, do you have a special Modified quick eject canopy?

The key - as in all things emergency - is to practice. NAd yes, I have a canopy which I can jettison (I pull pins before takeoff IF I am wearing a chute, not if I am not....), and I have practiced egress numerous times, blindfolded. Spinning and tumbling? No one I know has a good trainer for that, but many have tumbled their way out of airplanes in that condition, so its worth the effort to try in my opinion. If you can’t make, it you can’t make it - but you keep trying until you hit the ground.

Paul

[Sparrowhwk]

Paul,
Could you expand on your canopy jettison system please?
I thought the pin method required the pins to be pulled at the time you want to jettison, not before. So in your system, is the canopy secured as normal without the pins, then when you use the normal canopy open latch - it departs the aircraft??
Is there more than one jettison system being employed on RV-8's??
Thanks

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by sailvi767

The advice on getting training is really important. Most have no idea how difficult getting out of a aircraft can be especially if it is not in controlled flight. The other consideration is if you’re going to wear a chute in a RV you probably should also wear a helmet. Avoiding the tail might be difficult. My understanding is that to date there has never been a successful bailout from a Vans RV.
G

Did you mean, there's never been a situation where someone who was equipped with a parachute has decided to exit a failed RV and deployed their chute? That, I believe, would be correct. There have been instances of people leaving an RV, both with and without parachutes.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Sparrowhwk

Paul,
Could you expand on your canopy jettison system please?
I thought the pin method required the pins to be pulled at the time you want to jettison, not before. So in your system, is the canopy secured as normal without the pins, then when you use the normal canopy open latch - it departs the aircraft??
Is there more than one jettison system being employed on RV-8's??
Thanks

Very simple actually. Replace the bolts that hold the two forward rollers to the canopy frame with pins. Slide the canopy shut and latch it, then pull the pins. The forward edge of the canopy is secure under the lip from the windshield, and held forward by the latch. If you need to get out, just unlatch, pull back an inch or so, and push up - the slipstream should rip the canopy right off.

At least that’s the theory we have all worked under for years.....and it sure sounds like it should work. Just realize no one is going to test it unless they are jettisoning the aircraft for real, because it might well take the vertical tail off.

[fl-mike]

As my buddy said, "would you rather have a chute and not be able to get out, or not have a chute and discover that you can get out?"
Impending death is a powerful motivator.
I wear a chute and have pull-pins on the roller brackets. No helmet though.

Hope I never have to find out.

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Just realize no one is going to test it unless they are jettisoning the aircraft for real, because it might well take the vertical tail off.

...I don't think this is gonna happen....

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by bjdecker

...I don't think this is gonna happen....

Not unless you happen to have a pyrotechnic license....

Then again, there’s a reason I always wear a fire suit and helmet when flying the Subsonex - its all about that BRS rocket right behind my head!

Paul

[Sparrowhwk]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Very simple actually. Replace the bolts that hold the two forward rollers to the canopy frame with pins. Slide the canopy shut and latch it, then pull the pins. The forward edge of the canopy is secure under the lip from the windshield, and held forward by the latch. If you need to get out, just unlatch, pull back an inch or so, and push up - the slipstream should rip the canopy right off.

At least that’s the theory we have all worked under for years.....and it sure sounds like it should work. Just realize no one is going to test it unless they are jettisoning the aircraft for real, because it might well take the vertical tail off.

Paul,
Thank you for confirming how the system "should work". I was just missing the pulling pins before flight part - seems a good procedure, rather than trying to fight with them under stress.

The mid-air with the Cirrus and Metroliner a few days ago will probably help BRS & Cirrus sales a lot. Terrible circumstances but glad the chute worked and everyone survived.