Air Speeds And Parachutes - NPI NATIONAL 360 Manual

AIR SPEEDS & PARACHUTES
In recent years, aerobatic aircraft have seen a vast increase in performance and speed.
During various maneuvers it is common to exceed 200 knots.
Parachutes, on the other hand, have not kept up with this increase. The typical "modern
emergency parachute" (of various makes) manufactured in the 80's and 90's is rated up to a
maximum deployment speed of 140-150 knots.
BACKGROUND:
In 1981, National set out to design and successfully market a parachute to meet customer
demands & requirements in the following areas:
--Small volume
--Light weight
--Comfortable
--Competitive Price
--Meet TSO Requirements
bail out, we strongly advise the pilot to delay pulling the ripcord for 3-4 seconds after exit. In
that short time the human body in free fall will decelerate rapidly to air speeds falling within
design parameters.
From a development & manufacturing standpoint, time will determine if a broad demand
exists for parachutes designed to withstand increased air speeds. Given current parachute
materials and technology, this design would be heavier, bulkier and considerably more costly.
With the above parameters in mind, we developed the
National line of emergency parachutes. In 28+ years of
manufacturing we produced over 15,000 emergency
parachutes, earning numerous letters of appreciation for s
lives.
The question some pilots now ask is "what will happen if I bail
out and open the parachute at 200+ knots? The answer is "
can not predict the results." Although testing requires a marg
of safety, we have no way to determine the breaking point. Ou
parachutes are rated at and clearly display a placard ind
140 knots is the maximum deployment speed.
E mergencies come in different varieties. In a "high air speed"
situation (beyond 140-150 kts.) the aircraft may become
"aerodynamically dirty" and slow down considerably on its
own. If circumstances require an immediate high air speed
Emergency Parachute Manual P/N 81101-2P (Revised May 2004)
- 6 -
aved
we
in
r
icating