I am thinking of buying a helmet as I am starting to fly gentle aerobatics in my Super Decathlon (one of 4 in UK). Then someone suggested a parachute more useful. Then someone suggested trying out Bose X anr headsets, whiich I did and they are great. Cant afford all three, whats your views oh great America..... :?: [/img]
Bonedomes and aerobatics......parachutes......anr hs????
- Thread starter aifreeman
- Start date
djpacro
Member
I own a parachute which I use for serious aerobatics - displays and hard competition in a single seat machine. The American rules require chutes in many aerobatic operations. In Australia, we do not generally use chutes. We do, however, require training and a logbook certification before anyone can do solo spinning or aerobatics.
I only have a baby Decathlon which is not that noisy so I'm happy with normal DC headsets.
I am aware of some accidents where a helmet would've saved the pilot. I am aware of some accidents where a parachute (if used properly) would've saved the pilot.
My opinion is that doing Sportsman aerobatics in a properly maintained aeroplane with the pilot having done appropriate training does not unduly increase the risk such that I need a helmet or pair of chutes.
The risk of turning the aeroplane upside down on the ground or otherwise hitting the ground where a helmet would help is not really affected by my aerobatics.
If you wore chutes how would your operations be affected: say your decision height is 3000 ft AGL (I'm not sure that's enough to get 2 people out the single door of a spinning Decathlon) would you stick to it? Too many tragedies where pilots did not have an appropriate plan for use of chutes and used it.
My advice is to spend the money at the rubbidy dub.
I only have a baby Decathlon which is not that noisy so I'm happy with normal DC headsets.
I am aware of some accidents where a helmet would've saved the pilot. I am aware of some accidents where a parachute (if used properly) would've saved the pilot.
My opinion is that doing Sportsman aerobatics in a properly maintained aeroplane with the pilot having done appropriate training does not unduly increase the risk such that I need a helmet or pair of chutes.
The risk of turning the aeroplane upside down on the ground or otherwise hitting the ground where a helmet would help is not really affected by my aerobatics.
If you wore chutes how would your operations be affected: say your decision height is 3000 ft AGL (I'm not sure that's enough to get 2 people out the single door of a spinning Decathlon) would you stick to it? Too many tragedies where pilots did not have an appropriate plan for use of chutes and used it.
My advice is to spend the money at the rubbidy dub.
Go with the chute. Good ears don't do you much good if you are not alive. I hear all too often this sort of macho state of denial about chutes, somewhat similar to what you use to hear about seatbelts. "If it's your time, it's your time." That sort of nonsense. There are a number of situations where a chute is going to help: structural failure, unrecoverable spins, engine failure over inhospitable terrain, engine failure resulting in oil spraying on your windshield so you can't see to land, engine failure in total darkness, controls jamming or breaking, etc. Like someone else mentioned, you need to have a plan for bailing, and stick to it. Chutes don't open if you are already on the ground.
Michael
Michael
djpacro
Member
Michael - the views I expessed above are common throughout Australia. There is no regulation or recommendation published anywhere here regarding use of parachutes in aerobatics. As I noted, I'm one of the few aerobatic pilots here with a chute - a small number of us here who would wear a chute in serious aerobatics. I certainly had them doing advanced spinning in a Pitts.michael said:
For info - our only Advisory Circular on aerobatics which I helped draft some years ago (and still in draft form!):
http://rrp.casa.gov.au/download/CASRdocs/091/091c75.pdf
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority modelled our new regulations on the FAR's - and they chose not to pick up the rules about parachutes. They considered the safety case (consideration of the risk, the history of accidents, including experience in other countries, regulations in other countries) in coming to that decision.
PS - Australia was one of the first countries to introduce compulsory seatbelts in cars.