So how much does it cost to get flying?

[pepper_airborne]

Kinda makes sense that one knows how to use a chute, otherwise why would one carry one eh?

Well with cadets we are given one and shown how to use it.

The parachutes we use are fairly simple to wear and operate- clip it on, tighten it up and pull back the straps. To deploy pull the D ring.

I would have just imagined it be a basic knowledge instead of something that needs to be practised every 2 months.

That is how it go's here, but i dont know how it is done in the UK. I can imagine that if you dont know how to roll you would easily break your legs, wich can be rather nasty if landed in the wrong place.

[machineman9]

Yeh that couldnt be a good way to end the day... A broken aircraft (probably someone elses) and a broken leg. A broken collar was bad enough when I went snowboarding.

But again, we are taught how to land a jump with cadets just incase.

I am still Googling it to see if it would apply to the UK.

[Hagar]

Dont forget that if you really want to do aerobatics with a parachute your going to need to learn how to control a AFF chute, in euro's it is around 1000, but im not quite sure how the rates are with the pound, and you need to make atleast one jump each 2 months overhere.

I doubt that most aerobatic pilots have ever used a parachute in anger. Those that wear one have ground instruction on how to operate it in the same way as abandoning the aircraft but it's there for emergency use only. It's quite likely that machineman will never need one, except perhaps in a RAF aircraft with the ATC.

I'm sorry I ever mentioned the word parachute.

[machineman9]

Well it was a worthwhile point when I was still in the land of being Top Gun in an SU-31  ;)

I dont think it would be as neccisary until I start flying more challenging things. I dont think I would ever fly anything in a 152 that would put the airframe or other components in immediate danger.

[Hagar]

I doubt there would be enough room for a parachute in a 152. They have the reputation of being a tad intimate. I've never even sat in one but I'm not certain I could shut the door.

[machineman9]

As long as they aren't as bad as the Grob Vigilants. There was probably more room in a tin of beans than in the cockpit hehe. Still, a nice little aircraft, though I prefer the controls of the Tutor... seems to fly a bit better.

[Splinter562]

I doubt that most aerobatic pilots have ever used a parachute in anger. Those that wear one have ground instruction on how to operate it in the same way as abandoning the aircraft but it's there for emergency use only. It's quite likely that machineman will never need one, except perhaps in a RAF aircraft with the ATC.

I'm sorry I ever mentioned the word parachute.

Agreed.

I've done a good bit of aerobatic flying in the states with an emergency chute. These chutes are not typical skydiving chutes, they are usually simple conical chutes that may or may not have steering, and they are not meant to be used on a monthly basis. They are simply a last resort to save your bacon if things go really, really wrong. If your are in a position to actually have to use your emergency chute, a broken leg is probably getting off easy.

That being said, some aerobatic pilots will do skydiving training to increase their awareness, should they ever have to use their chute. Some may even do a jump with their emergency chute for practice. But I don't think you'll find anyone jumping with their emergency chute on a monthly basis.

[beaky]

An emergency canopy is just insurance... if you do get hurt landing in a parachute because you have no skydiving training, it's considered a good deal compared to going in with a plane that cannot be controlled.

Speaking of which, you might be surprised how easily it can happen, even in a low-powered little aircraft like a 152... all it takes is to jam something past its stops, or a cable getting pinched, or in an extreme case, a hinge or something breaking.

That is probably why it is required to wear a 'chute in the US for most aerobatic maneuvers.
I'm not sure about the UK laws, but over here you have to wear one, but you don't have to know how to use it, beyond putting it on and pulling the D-ring. When I did my one aerobatic lesson, that was the only instruction I got... other than "if you wait for me to tell you again to get out, you'll be alone in the airplane..."

They are very small and light these days, and in most planes they're not a big problem.
Here's one example:

http://www.softieparachutes.com/

[machineman9]

My friend told me that once he was flying circuits and the door managed to open up, he had to lean a bit to close it again. I wouldnt have wanted to be in his position without a great deal of chute attached  ;D

But thanks for the link... I will remember it for if and when it is needed.


Now off to bed. Half past midnight and I am up at 7 for my radio course.

Thanks so far!

[Cobra]

As for PPL's buddy, i just got back from Florida last week after doing my PPL at Ormond Beach Aviation (www.flyoba.com). Whole PPL and Night Rating for

[DaveSims]

[quote]My friend told me that once he was flying circuits and the door managed to open up, he had to lean a bit to close it again. I wouldnt have wanted to be in his position without a great deal of chute attached

[C]

Also, do hours flown with cadets count towards a PPL? I currently have an hour and ten mixed glider and powered

Without beating about the bush, no. Possibly if they were part of a "pilot scholarship" type course flown alongside a QFI, but most AEF pilots aren't current instructors.

I didnt know you needed to be qualified as such to use a parachute in those situations...

You don't. You just need to be briefed on how to attempt to land safely with as few broken appendages as possible, just as Splinter says. AKA known as "Jump Johnny Jump!".

[Fozzer]

...funny, innit... ..!

Most of this Thread has dealt with removing doors and leaping out of an Aeroplane whilst carrying an Umbrella.... ...!

Not my idea of a quiet, gentle, Sunday afternoon, flight!.. ...!

Paul...G-BPLF... ...!

[Mobius]

I doubt there would be enough room for a parachute in a 152. They have the reputation of being a tad intimate. I've never even sat in one but I'm not certain I could shut the door.

Trust me, there's room.

I'm 6'5", and I do aerobatics in an Aerobat, and if we move the seat all the way back and take the seat cushion out, I almost fit.  It's little tough to get to the throttle and trim, and it's terribly uncomfortable, but it's worth it.

My friend told me that once he was flying circuits and the door managed to open up, he had to lean a bit to close it again. I wouldnt have wanted to be in his position without a great deal of chute attached  ;D

I've had the door on the Aerobat open up on my twice while doing aerobatics.  Once when we were a quarter of the way through an aileron roll (to the left), so I was in the left seat (on the "down" side of the airplane), looking out my open door straight to the ground.  That's when your glad you tightened those belts down until you could barely breathe.  

The second time was in a dive to gain speed right before a roll.  Right at the bottom of the dive, we were doing 125 kts, and I braced against the door for the pull into the roll, and when I did, it popped open, so I had to do a nice little 4.5 G pull back up to loose some speed so I could close the door.  That was fun too.

I wouldn't have any worries about initial aerobatics in an Aerobat (NOT a regular 152, that will get you killed pretty quick).  My instructor is an A&P and he has looked quite a bit at the insides of the Aerobat, and he said they a beefed up pretty substantially.

As far as the parachute goes in the US, if you do aerobatics, you are required to wear one, but there is no formal initial training or currency training.  You get a bit of ground instruction on how to get out of the aircraft in case something does happen though.

I've got to get a video one of these times.  My instructor and I keep forgetting.

[machineman9]

Paul... Ive watched Brainaiac, umberallas simply arent sufficient enough as they were in the 1930s with Miss Poppins.

Mobius, well I am a bit short of 6 foot, I think I am 5' 7/8" so that should be fine. Sounds fun though (until the door opened). I was in the Vigilant and the straps were fairly tight, but could have gone further... they were enough to keep me firmly in the seat after a half G push over though  ;D


Cobra, yeh flying in Florida is supposed to be really good value, though with accomodation and travel expenses I don't see it being that much cheaper. If I could do it in Michigan I could probably stay with some family friends I have though... depends if they would want to look after me lol.


Radio course was good though... getting used to answering by call signs. Fair bit different to the MSFS and aviation type chat I have been getting used to for about a year or so, but was still good fun. Nearly swore right down it when I couldnt remember what I was supposed to say hehe  ;D