Chute Happens... (or does it?)

I thought I would post a blog entry about my observations on the use of the parachute in the simulator.  I also have a regular client who has experienced a real life chute pull that has offered some great insight comparing the experience in the simulator that his real-life scare.

Pulling the chute is usually at the top of the wish list for clients coming to the simulator, as well it should be.  We typically have a lively discussion prior to entering the sim, even more so recently as I have had both a doctor (orthopedic surgeon) and engineer dissect various aspects of the decision to pull the chute. Here are some of the things I’ve noticed and some opinions as to how to make better decisions regarding a chute pull.

First, a disturbingly high percentage of students seem to forget about the chute (maybe 20-25%) being an option and fight an out of control aircraft from altitude all the way until impact. While there is no way to know for sure, I can’t help but think that in a few accidents, the chute was forgotten under the pressure of the moment.  Thus, here is my first recommendation: incorporate the parachute into all of the applicable briefings as well as all of your flight training.  Each takeoff should include a briefing (to your copilot, partner, or to yourself) on what the procedure for an engine failure will be at each phase of the takeoff, and at what altitude you will use the chute vs making a straight-ahead landing.  This “parachute decision” altitude will vary based on factors such as runway length, surrounding terrain, and your departure profile, but by simply including it in your briefing you remind yourself one more time that it’s an option.  One additional tip (something that I do) is to physically reach up and touch the chute handle and say (out loud or to yourself mentally) “chute armed” at the appropriate altitude (I tend to do it immediately after raising my flaps going through about 300-400ft agl). 

Second, after a chute pull many students tend to sit back and enjoy the ride (so to speak) instead of using the time under the chute to run the appropriate checklist and do everything they can to prepare themselves for the impact. There are nine checklist items to complete after the chute is deployed, and several common-sense things you can do to aid in survival and search-and-rescue when on the ground.  These are definitely worth practicing, and include shutting down sources of fuel and ignition to the engine, activating the ELT, and preparing passengers and the cabin for touchdown.  As the orthopedist commented, your body position on landing can make a huge impact on the severity of any injuries.  Cirrus recommends that you sit straight with your back pressed against the seat, head firmly against the headrest, and hands across your chest (if you don’t have airbags) or folded in your lap (if you do).  Here are a few things that a crew did when under the chute in real life: 1) They ran the checklist (but left batteries on until near the ground for communication), 2) they gave exact positions using the position page in the nav group (typically nav page 5 or 6), 3) they visually oriented themselves to the nearest road and town so they would know which way to walk, if necessary.  This allowed one of the passengers to walk straight to a country road, where he was promptly met by a local volunteer firefighter, who asked “have you seen a plane crash around here?”

Finally, it is quite worthwhile to have a thorough discussion with your instructor or fellow Cirrus pilots about all facets of parachute use.  It’s much better to spend time on the ground discussing deployment altitudes, scenarios, door considerations, etc than to be making those decisions under pressure up in the air.  This way, you can arm yourself with as much information as possible in order to make good decisions.

I hope that none of you ever encounter a situation where the chute must be deployed, but be prepared in case you do.

Joe Davis

Vice President

P&C Aviation

Joe.Davis@EarthLink.net