10.12.2007, 04:04
Ok.. I've done tests jumping from aircraft at much higher speeds for the military.. One thing we were trying to determine is what faster speed does the aircraft need to be doing to determine how fast the parachute will open.. This was in order to jump safely with full equipment as well at around 400ft.. Our current chute now allows us to do this. This means from leaving the aircraft you will be on the ground in under 9 seconds!
At higher speeds, the chute opens much quicker, it is a more violent opening, but totally normal and survivable..
There are lots of variables in leaving an aircraft at high speed, but don't start thinking that your parachute will malfunction or not deploy properly because of it.. Even airborne troops leaving a C-47 that was in the process of crashing at low altitude.. (Therefore not at normal jump speed but far faster) left the aircraft and survived... I've even talked to one or two veterans that did exactly that..
At higher speeds, the chute opens much quicker, it is a more violent opening, but totally normal and survivable..
There are lots of variables in leaving an aircraft at high speed, but don't start thinking that your parachute will malfunction or not deploy properly because of it.. Even airborne troops leaving a C-47 that was in the process of crashing at low altitude.. (Therefore not at normal jump speed but far faster) left the aircraft and survived... I've even talked to one or two veterans that did exactly that..