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Typically about 6 pounds, these reserves are optimized to open very quickly at low speeds. |
Video
Clips
The video
clips below
show how reserves work. These clips are not meant to
scare
you into purchasing a reserve. All of the pilots in
these
clips were doing aerobatics which significantly
increases
risk of needing a reserve.
Videos:
QuickTime Alternative will allow you to play QuickTime files
Reserve Video 1 | Reserve Video 2
Why
do I need a reserve?
Reserves are
intended
as a backup in the event that your wing sustains
an unrecoverable
malfunction. These incidents are extremely rare
and the
most occur during aerobatics or very thermic
conditions.
What
are the
chances I will need a reserve?
Most pilots
will never
see their reserve except once a year
when
they do their annual practice
deployment,
followed by a repack. So why
have one?
Reserves have saved lives. Think of a
reserve
as cheap insurance you’ll probably
never need. It's all about
peace of
mind.
How
does a reserve work?
Designing a parachute
that opens
quickly at low speeds is not trivial. But low speeds
and quick
deployment is exactly what you need if you have a
malfunction
at 70 feet. After years of research, it turns out that
the
best solution is a hand deployed specially designed
chute with
a long bridal. You actually throw it!
How many pilots
fly with
a Reserve?
Approximately half of
the PPG
pilots fly with a reserve. In contrast
almost all
PG pilots fly with a reserve do to the
dynamic air
these pilots fly in. However, more and more
PPG pilots
are starting to fly with reserves.