Is it usual for small planes to have a parachute like that?
[QUOTE=Swineflu;47013318]Is it usual for small planes to have a parachute like that?[/QUOTE]
Quite common for small aircraft to be fitted with a large parachute, some small commercial jets have them too.
I've seen a video about the company that made these plane parachutes quite a while ago. Neat to see one in action and actually save a guys life!
[QUOTE=Swineflu;47013318]Is it usual for small planes to have a parachute like that?[/QUOTE]
Nicer ones, yes.
[QUOTE=Swineflu;47013318]Is it usual for small planes to have a parachute like that?[/QUOTE]
Diamond aircraft have parachutes built in to them. The aircraft in question is a Diamond DA40.
[url]http://www.diamondaircraft.com/aircraft/da40_xls/index.php[/url]
Apparently the guy was attempting to fly from Northern California to Hawaii. Shockingly enough, he ran out of gas on the 2,400 mile journey.
Oh man the plane parachutes, these things are unbelievably expensive, like they start at 100 grand. You'll almost never need them, but when you do need them it's usually your fault.
[QUOTE=Binladen34;47015054]Oh man the plane parachutes, these things are unbelievably expensive, like they start at 100 grand. You'll almost never need them, but when you do need them it's usually your fault.[/QUOTE]
For something that can save your life and the aircraft, I honestly don't think that pricetag is that bad. Plus most come built in/bundled as a planes feature.
[QUOTE=Reagy;47015075]For something that can save your life and the aircraft, I honestly don't think that pricetag is that bad. Plus most come built in/bundled as a planes feature.[/QUOTE]
I've seen them as aftermarket addons, they're a great insurance policy but the reason you'll almost never need them is you'll almost always be in an area where you can make an emergency landing. This is one of those cases where you would need it, since he tried to fly 2400 miles on a single tank.
The parachutes run $30-50 thousand dollars, and have to be replaced every 10 years at the cost of $10k. But $1000/yr is nothing for someone who owns one of these things, and it's definitely a good insurance program. Save your life, probably save the airframe.
[QUOTE=Binladen34;47015099]I've seen them as aftermarket addons, they're a great insurance policy but the reason you'll almost never need them is you'll almost always be in an area where you can make an emergency landing. This is one of those cases where you would need it, since he tried to fly 2400 miles on a single tank.[/QUOTE]
There's been a few cases of actual mechanical failure where these have come into play, one not long ago when a small planes engine died and the thing started to spiral towards the ground, the chute slowed and balanced the craft out that it landed successfully in some guys front garden without a scratch.
I'd call that a worthwhile investment, saved 2 people and a aircraft which was then repaired and up flying again in 3 days.
[QUOTE=darunner;47014201]Diamond aircraft have parachutes built in to them. The aircraft in question is a Diamond DA40.
[url]http://www.diamondaircraft.com/aircraft/da40_xls/index.php[/url][/QUOTE]
That's definitely a Cirrus SR22. Diamond Aircraft doesn't currently install plane parachutes on any of their models, optional or otherwise.
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;47016383]That's definitely a Cirrus SR22. Diamond Aircraft doesn't currently install plane parachutes on any of their models, optional or otherwise.[/QUOTE]
Oh, you're right. My mistake.
Just read this after I got home from flying in an SR20... cool.
If he was over land and had a straight piece of road nearby, it would have been worth trying to glide it down and save the plane.
But, over water, it's going to the bottom either way. Better to hit the water under a parachute than to try and ditch with any speed.
[editline]26th January 2015[/editline]
[QUOTE=darunner;47015014]Apparently the guy was attempting to fly from Northern California to Hawaii. Shockingly enough, he ran out of gas on the 2,400 mile journey.[/QUOTE]
I'll bet I could make a lot of money if I started a private in-flight refueling company...
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