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I think it's the set of compromises. You'd want a round parachute because the pilot might be unconscious for some or all of the descent - but that makes it har
by trothamel 7y ago
I think it's the set of compromises. You'd want a round parachute because the pilot might be unconscious for some or all of the descent - but that makes it harder to control the horizontal velocity.
I'd also think that an ejection being unplanned matters. Skydivers and paratroopers can try to plan their drop zones, while pilots can't. (There's a famous story of an ejection from an SR-71 where the Pilot wasn't sure which of about 5 different states he was in.)
Pilots are probably also a lot less experienced with landings than skydivers would be.
- Scoundreller 7y agoAs I recall from my 1 solo-ish skydiving experience: The standard rectangular parachutes let you move at a max of 20mph (or km/h?). And that's relative to wind. If the wind is 21mph, you can't go against it as an amateur. I figure the round chutes are even worse at this, so you could be forced in one direction against your wishes. From what I can see here: the chute deploys as soon as you eject at some hundreds of mph. It's probably big and therefore not very controllable. Finally, I think you land in the seat, so it's hard to control your landing.
- moioci 7y agoI believe the chutes are set not to deploy above 15,000 feet. Also, many of the ejector seat have a seat-man separator motor so you don't land in the seat.