DECELERATION PARACHUTES

The jet aircraft has created problems in landing since it must touch the runway at speeds approaching or exceeding 160 knots. Such speeds, due to the configuration of the wings of the aircraft, require an excessively long runway or some external means to aid deceleration. It is common practice to provide such deceleration means by deploying a drag parachute behind the aircraft, which is effective to reduce the landing run by 30 to 40 percent.

At present the drogue parachute is folded by hand and stowed in the rear fuselage of the aircraft. It is deployed as the aircraft touches the runway when the pilot releases a latch holding a door at the end of the parachute compartment. As soon as the momentum of the aircraft has been reduced to safe taxiing speed the drogue parachute is jettisoned or allowed to drag on the runway until the aircraft stops.

The deceleration (drogue/drag) parachute assembly was developed in 1960' by the U.S. Air Force for deceleration of the aircraft while landing. It is a circular ring slot canopy that is made up of 20 gores and 20 suspension lines.

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