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Q:
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How safe is it to fly a powered parachute? |
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A:
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Powered Parachutes in general are probably the safest of all aircraft to fly. This is due to several important factors.
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You are always flying under a fully deployed parachute.
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You can not "dive" a parachute like a hard winged aircraft, hence you will never exceed a forward speed of 26 mph. Everything happens in slow motion.
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The only conditions that make powered parachuting dangerous are wind/turbulence, an un-airworthy aircraft, or pilot induced problems such as inadvertently flying into obstructions.
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Never underestimate the power of the wind. Your life support system is nothing more than a pressurized bag of air. The only thing that keeps you aloft and under control is the forward movement of the aircraft as a whole. When the air currents come into contact with the envelope in a less than direct and stable manner they will create immediate disruption in your flight path. These disruptions will not necessarily be a threat to your safety, but they will be noticeable and disconcerting. This is especially true when the student pilot begins his training. This is why we always recommend to fly the Para-Cycle in the calmest of winds.
One other danger worth mentioning is the danger of turbulence generated by other aircraft. Avoid any air that has been disturbed by another aircraft. With larger aircraft you need to be aware that their wingtip vortices generate what is comparable to a horizontal tornado. This rolling air will last a lot longer than most people suspect. It spins off each wingtip in opposite directions and generally fall downward and with the wind. It can last to up to several minutes depending on the weight (displacement) of the aircraft. If you happen to fly close to a full size aircraft first avoid it, then try to maneuver yourself so you are not heading into its turbulence. Fly above its path, or to the upwind side. These recommendations also apply to all other types of aircraft (especially helicopters).
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