Use of the brake chute
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Outside the Fence
Age: 71
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
4 Posts
[
Obviously a crippling lack of ability, as done correctly the technique was not difficult and was very effective. Maybe they should have sought a briefing from an experienced F4 pilot rather than trusting in their A1 qualifications! Just because you have a badge does not mean you can walk on water!
Well, there were the 2 x A1 QFIS in an FGR2 T-bird on det in Cyprus, who decided to firstly fly a 21 vice standard 19 AOA approach, then secondly to pop the chute on short final. Cue red faces as they were needless to say dumped in the undershoot!
Dan Winterland
Thank you for the info re B-47 chutes. I didn't know they had two and assumed what I was seeing was the one used on landing, but popped early to slow it down.
WT
Thank you for the info re B-47 chutes. I didn't know they had two and assumed what I was seeing was the one used on landing, but popped early to slow it down.
WT
The Lightning brake chute was very interesting. In a crosswind, I recall above 25kts, you might have to get rid of it to stop weathercocking and drifting to the downwind side, You also had to apply much in to wind aileron.
I had a deployment to Iceland that had no chute packing ability for the Lightning, accordingly our 'squippers' gave me a quick course. At Keflavik, I tried to pack the chute (not very well). It was a wet day and I had to lie in a puddle under the tail, fit the chute and close the chute doors. Of course it wouldn't fit. The deployment spring came out and in desperation I used my feet to just push it all in and close the doors. On returning to base, I anticipated no chute and informed ATC I would make a precautionary no landing. The chute deployed perfectly!!
I also once helped a Victor crew to replace their brake chute, they accurately said it was like pushing a t_rd up an ars__le!
I had a deployment to Iceland that had no chute packing ability for the Lightning, accordingly our 'squippers' gave me a quick course. At Keflavik, I tried to pack the chute (not very well). It was a wet day and I had to lie in a puddle under the tail, fit the chute and close the chute doors. Of course it wouldn't fit. The deployment spring came out and in desperation I used my feet to just push it all in and close the doors. On returning to base, I anticipated no chute and informed ATC I would make a precautionary no landing. The chute deployed perfectly!!
I also once helped a Victor crew to replace their brake chute, they accurately said it was like pushing a t_rd up an ars__le!
I didn't know that either, warmtoast. Here's a nice picture of a B47 with the chute deployed:
Your description of re-installing the Victor brake chute made me smile, MACH2NUMBER. In our crew, the AEO, a somewhat portly gentleman, had the job of jumping up and down on the bloody thing to try and persuade it to get back in its box!
Your description of re-installing the Victor brake chute made me smile, MACH2NUMBER. In our crew, the AEO, a somewhat portly gentleman, had the job of jumping up and down on the bloody thing to try and persuade it to get back in its box!
IIRC, production Concorde aircraft didn't need the chute as big improvements in braking technology during the prototype phase ruled out the requirement.
Around 1973, two Lightnings diverted into Manston after being launched from Wattisham on "Q". As they were very low on fuel, the fire trucks were in position to deal with any incident and followed them down the runway until they stopped and jettisoned the streamed chutes. Shortly afterwards the tower was informed that one of the fire crew was being taken to the medical centre for treatment after burning his bare hands while manhandling the hot chute.
Around 1973, two Lightnings diverted into Manston after being launched from Wattisham on "Q". As they were very low on fuel, the fire trucks were in position to deal with any incident and followed them down the runway until they stopped and jettisoned the streamed chutes. Shortly afterwards the tower was informed that one of the fire crew was being taken to the medical centre for treatment after burning his bare hands while manhandling the hot chute.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Land of the Sabbath and of the Priest
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Would that have been at Abingdon, YS? I have a memory of seeing a 617 Sqn Vulcan crabbing in to land with a severe crosswind on the arrivals day before the airshow - could have been in '78?
Whatever, the landing was fine - until he popped the chute... I remember the screech to this day; even from half a mile away it seemed loud. The runway was blocked for hours!
Whatever, the landing was fine - until he popped the chute... I remember the screech to this day; even from half a mile away it seemed loud. The runway was blocked for hours!
Would that have been at Abingdon, YS? I have a memory of seeing a 617 Sqn Vulcan crabbing in to land with a severe crosswind on the arrivals day before the airshow - could have been in '78?
Whatever, the landing was fine - until he popped the chute... I remember the screech to this day; even from half a mile away it seemed loud. The runway was blocked for hours!
Whatever, the landing was fine - until he popped the chute... I remember the screech to this day; even from half a mile away it seemed loud. The runway was blocked for hours!
YS
Had a mate who needed the chute in a Hawk once - didn't work when selected. Ran off the end of the runway into the emergency net. Required an expensive canopy replacement cause the net was lying in sand until it "popped up" at the selection of the tower and did a good sandpaper job of the canopy... Apparently pretty pricey as the canopy is milled out of a solid block of perspex or whatever...
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 601
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The 40ft diameter ribbon drag chute used on the Space Shuttles was pretty impressive. It was added as a safety measure after the Challenger accident. The drag chute was deployed routinely on every landing, but I believe it was used more for directional stability than for braking. The Orbiter's un-powered landing was difficult under the best of conditions. The MLG tire treads were worn thru during landing and had to be replaced after every mission.
Here's an interesting paper on the Orbiter drag chute:
http://www.coengineers.com/wp-conten...2013009780.pdf
Here's an interesting paper on the Orbiter drag chute:
http://www.coengineers.com/wp-conten...2013009780.pdf
Interesting thread, thank you all.
Image of chutes streamed whilst airborne reminded me of a photo from the day in 2007 that the last RAF Jaguars flew into Cosford, airborne for the final time.
I always thought this shot by Karl Drage was a belter.
Image of chutes streamed whilst airborne reminded me of a photo from the day in 2007 that the last RAF Jaguars flew into Cosford, airborne for the final time.
I always thought this shot by Karl Drage was a belter.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Age: 52
Posts: 195
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seem to remember the Phantom display pilot in 1983 (S.... L-M) used to deploy the 'chute just before touch-down - looked very impressive.
Anybody else remember this?
Anybody else remember this?
I remember seeing this done (stream 'chute before landing) by a RAF F-4 landing at Abingdon.
I think that it was probably during the 80s, not sure of the exact year, but for some reason the show was being recorded for TV. I suspect that it was in connection with the BoB commemorations every September. There was a Puma hovering high overhead the airfield with a TV camera and crew on-board - so they were probably briefed on what was planned - and the F-4 landed from the west on the short runway. The 'chute deployed and inflated at 'just the right moment' and the aircraft slowed rapidly and did a fairly aggressive touch-down, and then stopped quickly.
Oddly enough, never seen the footage on TV again, even tried looking on YouTube.
I think that it was probably during the 80s, not sure of the exact year, but for some reason the show was being recorded for TV. I suspect that it was in connection with the BoB commemorations every September. There was a Puma hovering high overhead the airfield with a TV camera and crew on-board - so they were probably briefed on what was planned - and the F-4 landed from the west on the short runway. The 'chute deployed and inflated at 'just the right moment' and the aircraft slowed rapidly and did a fairly aggressive touch-down, and then stopped quickly.
Oddly enough, never seen the footage on TV again, even tried looking on YouTube.