parachute use for first flight/phase I - pros/cons

[avee8tor13]

all,

First fight, would you or did you use a parachute? Yout thoughts.


thanks

[L.Adamson]

No chute...

My first flight was over subdivisions close to the airport, including my own home. There is no way I'd abandon ship............and possibly take the chance of destroying someone else's life below.

Since the RV is a proven airplane, this diminishes the risk of faulty flight dynamics, or structural failure..........for that first flight.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[Andy Hill]

I use a chute for our equivalent of "Phase 1" (but is only 5-10hrs )...

However, the circumstances I'd use it, and ability to use it, are not 100% clear compared to say, types with clear adandonment procedures.

I do not see it being used at low level, nor for pure engine failure. More the "exploratory" areas, especially spin testing and aerobatics, VNE dives. These are then planned in locations / altitudes where one would/could sensibly abandon. There is also the flying problem where you can "just" fly the aircraft, but not actually land it (an aerodynamic / flying control problem) - maybe more likely for 1st flight.

I have a chute that fits (most) RVs well, and for this flying it does not seem the most prudent idea to leave it at home. General "expert" advice (i.e. from authorities, not this forum) is that one should be worn. However, I would not think adversely of anyone who chose not to...

Andy Hill
RV-8 G-HILZ
RV8tors

[cguarino]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

No chute...

My first flight was over subdivisions close to the airport, including my own home. There is no way I'd abandon ship............and possibly take the chance of destroying someone else's life below.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

I think that may be a little short sighted. For example, what if a heim joint on the elevator push rod broke and you were able to fly using trim but couldn't land it. If you had a chute you could climb to altitude over an unpopulated area and bail out. I used the heim joint example because it has happened before. Just a different way to look at it. Also, staying in an uncontrollable airplane doesn't make sense. If it is uncontrollable then you are not going to effect the impact point but it is a sure death. If you bail out of an airplane that you are not in control of anyway, then you have a chance at survivial. Granted the plane could hurt someone on the gound but there is a lot of area that people are not occupying. Bottom line it is a roll of the dice but your chance of dying if you stay in the plane is near 100% and the chance of hitting someone on the ground is a whole lot less.

[Mel]

One can argue the "pros" all day.
What could possibly be a "con"?
Seriously, most RVs built today probably could not be successfully evacuated in flight. My RV-6 was built with the original jettisonable tilt-up canopy with no struts. I can get out if the need arises. I haven't needed to in over 18 years and don't anticipate future needs of this type, but I can!

[mv031161]

If anyone is looking for a cushion type parachute. I have a national 425 i am putting for sale soon.

[GAHco]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

No chute...

My first flight was over subdivisions close to the airport, including my own home. There is no way I'd abandon ship............and possibly take the chance of destroying someone else's life below.

Since the RV is a proven airplane, this diminishes the risk of faulty flight dynamics, or structural failure..........for that first flight.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

I thought that during phase one you were not supposed to be over populated areas? We were talking about the test phase, the one that you are restricted to an area for so many of the initial flight hours, the amount based on if you have a certified engine and Propeller or not. Other equipment may also have a factor on ones flight restrictions?

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by GAHco

I thought that during phase one you were not supposed to be over populated areas? We were talking about the test phase, the one that you are restricted to an area for so many of the initial flight hours, the amount based on if you have a certified engine and Propeller or not. Other equipment may also have a factor on ones flight restrictions?

To make a trip around the pattern, I'm over a populated area. And it's included in the test area. I live across the street from the airport. When I did my solo here, it was all wheat fields. Shame on people moving out here!

BTW--- two hours later, I flew about 100 miles to a distant airport with a friend right behind me, in his 9A. It was all desert, freeway, and Sunday for less traffic. That airport was included in the test area also.

L.Adamson ---- RV6A

[rv9av8tr]

The professional test pilot who made the first flight on my Long-EZ said his philosophy is he would only jump for two reasons; loss of structural integrity and fire in the cockpit.
A friend of mine, "Smokie One", was a B-24 pilot in the Pacific. The elevator cables and hydraulics were destroyed over the Philippines from a Kamikaze ramming his plane, His B-24 lost elevator pitch control, however the elevator trim was intact. He recovered the B-24 from a steep dive using only elevator trim. He was able to fly the airplane 8 hrs back to base, arriving just at dawn. Using power and elevator trim he made a successful landing at their home base at Owi (north of New Guinea). His story and many others are documented in the book "B-24 Snoopers" (http://www.ozatwar.com/books/snoopers.htm
It can be done.....

[GAHco]

Originally Posted by L.Adamson

To make a trip around the pattern, I'm over a populated area. And it's included in the test area. I live across the street from the airport. When I did my solo here, it was all wheat fields. Shame on people moving out here!

BTW--- two hours later, I flew about 100 miles to a distant airport with a friend right behind me, in his 9A. It was all desert, freeway, and Sunday for less traffic. That airport was included in the test area also.

L.Adamson ---- RV6A

I am glad it went well!

I am looking forward to my first flight