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-   -   Zephire helicopter parachute (https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/617182-zephire-helicopter-parachute.html)

Nige321 12th Jan 2019 09:58

Zephire helicopter parachute
 
Not see this mentioned before...

ShyTorque 12th Jan 2019 11:22

I never fly that high. What's the minimum altitude for successful deployment/stabilisation of descent?

Nige321 12th Jan 2019 11:54

A bit of digging... Zephir website


Zefhir is the first helicopter in the world to be fitted with an innovative ballistic parachute rescue system.

The parachute offers an unprecedented level of safety in emergency conditions when autorotation is not an option.

Equally significant is the extremely low minimum deployment altitude of only 150 m (450 ft).


SASless 12th Jan 2019 12:42

I will have to get a second cup of coffee and think about this a bit before responding.

Having flown helicopters for more than a few years and been involved in both military and civilian parachute jumping....and having an air bag equipped vehicle......I have some questions about the system being undertaken.

Bell_ringer 12th Jan 2019 12:54

If you look at the system in light fixed wing aircraft the safe height is 1500ft

Two's in 12th Jan 2019 13:53

Assuming this company has done its homework, it would be interesting to see what data they are using to establish the frequency of

emergency conditions when autorotation is not an option.
If (amazingly) it shows that low-time PPLs in small, low inertia, aircraft are likely to be in this position more than other rotary pilots, there's always a dichotomy in adding weight and complexity to a small helicopter to increase safety. Good for them if it works, but until then, I'll keep watching the RRPM gauge and listening to the engine note.

SASless 12th Jan 2019 14:07

Thinking about this....what could possibly go wrong?

212man 12th Jan 2019 14:12

It’s so safe that they tested it without pilots on board! There’s a message there I think. Even Martin Baker use(d) real people.

SASless 12th Jan 2019 16:50

Thinking of volunteering for Test Pilot duty are you 212Man?

ShyTorque 12th Jan 2019 16:50


Originally Posted by SASless (Post 10358775)
Thinking about this....what could possibly go wrong?

So the pilot flies thinking "If the donk stops I don't need to lower the lever, I allow the Nr to decay and deploy the chute. The chute didn't deploy - oh bother!"

212man 12th Jan 2019 17:26


Originally Posted by SASless (Post 10358875)
Thinking of volunteering for Test Pilot duty are you 212Man?

No thanks -,quite happy with my current job!

timprice 12th Jan 2019 17:50

I know it's a bit early for April fools lads, but come on this is really funny!!!!:O

Ascend Charlie 12th Jan 2019 18:13

Well, this is the system that our future transport will depend upon - the Fabulous Electric Drone Taxi of the Sky!

chopjock 12th Jan 2019 19:54


Originally Posted by ShyTorque (Post 10358876)
So the pilot flies thinking "If the donk stops I don't need to lower the lever, I allow the Nr to decay and deploy the chute. The chute didn't deploy - oh bother!"

Obviously enter autorotation first, establish a ROD then deploy the shute, then confirm deployment of shute before gently raising lever to bleed off RRPM and apply rotor brake I should think... Could be useful if donk quits at night or IIMC etc or if over a city where you would not want a spinning rotor to decapitate pedestrians...

ShyTorque 12th Jan 2019 20:35


Originally Posted by chopjock (Post 10358972)
Obviously enter autorotation first, establish a ROD then deploy the shute, then confirm deployment of shute before gently raising lever to bleed off RRPM and apply rotor brake I should think... Could be useful if donk quits at night or IIMC etc or if over a city where you would not want a spinning rotor to decapitate pedestrians...

So if you just want to squash them, that's fine.

SASless 12th Jan 2019 22:16

212 Man....seems to have lost. his sense of adventure since I last had a Heineken with him at the famous Container Bar in Igdugboe!

bront 12th Jan 2019 23:36

Going to be pretty if it accidently deploys.

Photonic 13th Jan 2019 01:52

Imagine the sequence with that field where it set down, with some high-tension power lines in the background. At least with an auto, you have a little control over where you're going to set down. With a parachute, you're at the mercy of the wind.

A ballistic parachute is a reasonable option for single-engine Cirrus planes, because the alternative is finding a big patch of open area to glide into. Not always easy in built-up areas, hostile terrain, or open water ditching at speed. On a helicopter, maybe not so much. Plus the added weight, aerodynamic drag, and risk of accidental deployment. I think it would have to be a purpose-built design, like a "safe Robby" for the entry-level private owner with some bucks to spend (like Cirrus).

industry insider 13th Jan 2019 08:04

If it really works that well, its a bloody good idea on a single engine helicopter over "hostile" terrain.

Two's in 13th Jan 2019 16:27


Originally Posted by industry insider (Post 10359209)
If it really works that well, its a bloody good idea on a single engine helicopter over "hostile" terrain.

This is a well questioned path on this forum. To operate single-engined over "hostile" terrain requires a number of mitigations to be in place to reduce the risk in the event of an engine failure. Commercial or Military operators are very familiar with these, and again I would be fascinated in the data that shows an engine failure (or drive issue) at altitude that can't be managed with a correctly executed autorotation, including zero speed onto rugged terrain. The main risk mitigation for non-commercial operations should be not to operate over "hostile" terrain unless absolutely imperative.

Bell_ringer 13th Jan 2019 16:34

What is the rate of descent under the chute?
Even on the cirrus you can do yourself an injury pulling the lever.

industry insider 13th Jan 2019 22:58


This is a well questioned path on this forum. To operate single-engined over "hostile" terrain requires a number of mitigations to be in place to reduce the risk in the event of an engine failure. Commercial or Military operators are very familiar with these, and again I would be fascinated in the data that shows an engine failure (or drive issue) at altitude that can't be managed with a correctly executed autorotation, including zero speed onto rugged terrain. The main risk mitigation for non-commercial operations should be not to operate over "hostile" terrain unless absolutely imperative
Hence my quotation marks around the word hostile. Although operations by professoinals over hostile areas must be mitigated and engine failures are rare, we see SE helicopters flying at night on EMS missions over built up areas, I often see smaller private helicopters being flown with low regard for where they might land if it all goes quiet. Add the potential difficulty of achieving a successful autorotation and EOL in the heat of the moment for many leisure pilots then is a great idea worth developing.

GrayHorizonsHeli 13th Jan 2019 23:49

I like the concept, its a viable safety feature in some instances, but I'm skeptical it would ever work effectively on anything larger and heavier

Back door 14th Jan 2019 04:21

motor, rotor, ball....uhhhh,,,deploy....:O

Paul Cantrell 16th Jan 2019 15:50

I gotta say I'm a bit negative about parachute systems for aircraft, although one of the instructors at our school popped the chute in a Cirrus after an engine failure over non-hospitible terrain and she seems to like it :D

My question is what's the deal with mounting it to the mast? Seems like it would have made more sense to mount it to the cabin structure so that if the mast/rotor decided to leave and go away that the parachute would stay with the aircraft?

What I've always wondered is why we can do the giant airbag thing like the Mars Exploration Rover and Mars Pathfinder used? Just how big an airbag would a S92 require? :confused:

Photonic 16th Jan 2019 20:41


Originally Posted by Paul Cantrell (Post 10362298)
My question is what's the deal with mounting it to the mast? Seems like it would have made more sense to mount it to the cabin structure so that if the mast/rotor decided to leave and go away that the parachute would stay with the aircraft?

Where else would you put it, where it wouldn't be snagged by the main or tail rotors? It does depend on the mast and rotor head surviving, but complete departure is fairly rare. This is designed for the most likely scenarios, not every possible scenario.

Aside from clearing the rotor, that location guarantees an upright (or nearly upright) landing, where the undercarriage might absorb some of the shock, and some seats are designed to collapse vertically if it's a rough parachute touchdown. The occupants also have the best chance of exiting safely if the helicopter is upright, especially if ditching in water. It's why Cirrus locates their ballistic parachute at, or near the C.G. as well. I still think it's not a great idea, and it sure isn't going to help the aerodynamics. But the location seems sound to me.


What I've always wondered is why we can do the giant airbag thing like the Mars Exploration Rover and Mars Pathfinder used? Just how big an airbag would a S92 require? :confused:
Well for a start, Mars has 38% of Earth's gravity, so the dyamics are a wee bit different! Those landers are also designed to survive high G-loads.

On Earth, an air bag wouldn't do anything a successful autorotation wouldn't accomplish. In a situation where an auto isn't possible -- like that awful Leicester City crash -- I don't think any airbag of reasonable size and weight would have cushioned the landing enough for survival. Not from that height. A ballistic parachute might have worked, but it would have to be huge, and fired immediately. I think that accident happened around the minimum altitude for this smaller system to be effective.

GrayHorizonsHeli 16th Jan 2019 23:43


Originally Posted by Paul Cantrell (Post 10362298)
Just how big an airbag would a S92 require? :confused:

Cue the Yo Momma jokes....LOL

Ascend Charlie 17th Jan 2019 05:28

A helicopter heavy landing/crash usually involves multiple bounces/rolls on the ground. An airbag inflates quickly and deflates almost as quickly, so no protection for the second and subsequent bounces.

It would also probably push the cyclic back at the pilot's delicate areas, rather forcefully, and also breaking the right wrist.

SASless 17th Jan 2019 19:49


It does depend on the mast and rotor head surviving, but complete departure is fairly rare.

Statistically for most but hot all....of late.

Hot and Hi 15th Apr 2019 18:19

Vertical Magazine article: https://www.verticalmag.com/news/cur...utm_content=V1


Although the test was performed from 300 meters, based on the results, Curti believes the parachute could be successfully deployed at any altitude over 150 meters (500 feet), or possibly even lower if the aircraft carries some forward speed.

The design team made the decision to stop the rotation of the main rotor blades as part of the parachute deployment sequence. This was for two reasons: first, to avoid airflow disruptions that could slow the opening of the parachute, and also to reduce the risk of injury at touchdown.

“What we have observed in helicopter crashes is that often most of the casualties are created by the rotor blades that are out of control,” Cantelli explained. “So we think that if you cannot perform autorotation for any reasons, it is better to touch the ground without any rotating blade.”

In the remotely piloted test, this stoppage was accomplished through a deliberate series of steps. The engine was cut off, the collective was raised to decrease main rotor RPM, and then the rotor brake was applied before the parachute was ejected. However, Curti plans to make this sequence automatic in the version of the system that is made available to customers. “We will have a very simple lever that will activate everything, but with no sensor activation, so it will always be at the choosing of the pilot,” Albertazzi said.


Non-PC Plod 16th Apr 2019 14:24


Originally Posted by Hot and Hi (Post 10448215)

So...... A system which automatically shuts down the engine, raises the collective and puts the rotor brake on in flight. ( And then hopes to deploy the parachute. )
Any volunteers?

MLH 18th Apr 2019 21:13

Forget the parachute, I want the full sized RC model.

havick 18th Apr 2019 21:31


Originally Posted by Non-PC Plod (Post 10448857)
So...... A system which automatically shuts down the engine, raises the collective and puts the rotor brake on in flight. ( And then hopes to deploy the parachute. )
Any volunteers?

sure so long as initiation height is 10,000’+ft AO and no door installed and wearing your own parachute with skyhook.

Hot and Hi 15th Sep 2019 18:29

Zephir - ballistic parachute aside
 
New detailed YouTube video here:

The ballistic parachute hype aside, Curti is set to become a new competitor for the certified ultra-light helicopter market (> 700 kg MTOW). Clearly taking a shot at Robinson, while not missing to also pass criticism at the underpowered Guimbal Cabri G2.

Powered by the 180 kW PBS turboshaft engine from the Czech Republic (derated to 108 kW for hot & high performance). 87 KTS cruising; 100 KTS max level speed; VNE 102 (ouch! that tells something). 120 lt tank gives - at that speed - 2 hrs endurance, or 172 NM reach, with only 10 min reserve. (Aux tank is planned, but there goes the luggage compartment.)

Specification from Curti's website

Price - wait for it - USD 500k. That's the same as a R44 Raven II. Maybe if it was a 3 or 4-bladed helicopter with the aerobatic capabilities of the Cabri, the extra performance at altitude and would set it apart. But the Zephir features a classic 2-bade teetering rotor system.


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