Why Dont Commercial Airplanes Have Parachutes For Passengers?
It is most unlikely that a parachute will be of use if a passenger plane crashes.
Even a plane load of active military parachutists takes several minutes of reasonably steady flight to exit.
Parachuting takes nerve, skill, and strength. One has to force oneself into a 150 mph slipstream, hold a posture that stops one tangling with the parachute as it opens, steer clear of one's fellows and land safely.
Think what the casualty list would be if a typical group of passengers were to attempt their first descents in an emergency.
The average man, woman or child in a Boeing would stand a better chance of survival riding the plane down.
Reasons.
1. Parachutes are bulky, heavy and expensive.
They would not even fit under your seat, they would occupy a lot of space and add a lot of weight.
They would also need regular inspection and repacking.
To provide several hundred per airplane would add significantly to costs, making flying much more expensive.
Even a plane load of active military parachutists takes several minutes of reasonably steady flight to exit.
Parachuting takes nerve, skill, and strength. One has to force oneself into a 150 mph slipstream, hold a posture that stops one tangling with the parachute as it opens, steer clear of one's fellows and land safely.
Think what the casualty list would be if a typical group of passengers were to attempt their first descents in an emergency.
The average man, woman or child in a Boeing would stand a better chance of survival riding the plane down.
Reasons.
1. Parachutes are bulky, heavy and expensive.
They would not even fit under your seat, they would occupy a lot of space and add a lot of weight.
They would also need regular inspection and repacking.
To provide several hundred per airplane would add significantly to costs, making flying much more expensive.
2. Passengers are not trained to use them.
Without a minimum of training, most people would not even be able to strap the parachute on correctly, never mind open it and land safely.
Even on the ground and with plenty of time this is not easy.
In the confined space of an airliner and in a high-stress situation it would be even more difficult.
Without a minimum of training, most people would not even be able to strap the parachute on correctly, never mind open it and land safely.
Even on the ground and with plenty of time this is not easy.
In the confined space of an airliner and in a high-stress situation it would be even more difficult.
3. There isn't a convenient way to jump out of typical airliners.
You would need to redesign aircraft with a special jumping exit(the rear).
Just jumping out of normal side-facing airplane doors or emergency hatches you would probably hit the wing, the engine, or the tail.
You would need to install a ramp on the rear of the cabin.
You would need to redesign aircraft with a special jumping exit(the rear).
Just jumping out of normal side-facing airplane doors or emergency hatches you would probably hit the wing, the engine, or the tail.
You would need to install a ramp on the rear of the cabin.
4. Every Man for Himself.
Unless passengers wanted to fly suited up and tethered for a static jump, parachuting from a commercial airplane will be an AFF jump; however, unlike the conditions that students get training and trained instructors to assist, commercial passengers will just have to learn as they go.
In addition, they will have to keep calm and proceed in an orderly fashion, which will require most to patiently wait their turn to exit.
This is not likely to happen.
Unless passengers wanted to fly suited up and tethered for a static jump, parachuting from a commercial airplane will be an AFF jump; however, unlike the conditions that students get training and trained instructors to assist, commercial passengers will just have to learn as they go.
In addition, they will have to keep calm and proceed in an orderly fashion, which will require most to patiently wait their turn to exit.
This is not likely to happen.
5. Parachuting Only Makes Sense if Something Happens in Mid-Flight.
The only feasible time for people to jump from the plane is while it’s cruising.
However, most fatal airline accidents occur on airplanes during takeoff and landing.
Consider that between 2003 and 2012,only 9% of all fatal accidents on commercial flights, seven total, occurred while the plane was cruising; moreover, at least one of those accidents happened as a result of wind shear or thunderstorm.
This is a situation where parachuting is extremely dangerous even if you’re an expert.
So even if parachuting were feasible from a jetliner, the conditions in which parachutes could theoretically save lives are almost never apparent in fatal commercial accidents.
But even if they were, it still wouldn’t be a good idea.
The only feasible time for people to jump from the plane is while it’s cruising.
However, most fatal airline accidents occur on airplanes during takeoff and landing.
Consider that between 2003 and 2012,only 9% of all fatal accidents on commercial flights, seven total, occurred while the plane was cruising; moreover, at least one of those accidents happened as a result of wind shear or thunderstorm.
This is a situation where parachuting is extremely dangerous even if you’re an expert.
So even if parachuting were feasible from a jetliner, the conditions in which parachutes could theoretically save lives are almost never apparent in fatal commercial accidents.
But even if they were, it still wouldn’t be a good idea.
6. Jetliners Cruise Very High and Very Fast.
At 35,000 feet (three times higher than a typical jump) every passenger would need high altitude equipment (HALO)that includes an oxygen tank, mask and regulator, flight suit, ballistic helmet and altimeter just to manage the thin air.
Or they could just pass out from hypoxia and wake up later, hopefully when the parachute automatically deployed at under 15,000 - 20,000 feet.
Of course, none of this would matter since the plane is moving so fast (600 mph), and it is so large, that many passengers would almost certainly smash into it and suffer debilitating if not fatal injuries.
At 35,000 feet (three times higher than a typical jump) every passenger would need high altitude equipment (HALO)that includes an oxygen tank, mask and regulator, flight suit, ballistic helmet and altimeter just to manage the thin air.
Or they could just pass out from hypoxia and wake up later, hopefully when the parachute automatically deployed at under 15,000 - 20,000 feet.
Of course, none of this would matter since the plane is moving so fast (600 mph), and it is so large, that many passengers would almost certainly smash into it and suffer debilitating if not fatal injuries.
7. Whole Plane Parachutes May Save Lives In Future.
There is hope, however. Over the past few years, many small planes have been equipped with whole-plane parachutes that slow the craft’s descent.
As of late 2013, the largest planes equipped with these safety devices carry five people, but plans are in the works for putting them on larger crafts.
As one manufacturer said, “There is no doubt that big commercial airlines of the future will be equipped with some kind of parachute recovery system.”
Source: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/02/dont-commercial-airplanes-parachutes-passengers/
https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-airlines-have-parachutes-for-passengers?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C3947283052
There is hope, however. Over the past few years, many small planes have been equipped with whole-plane parachutes that slow the craft’s descent.
As of late 2013, the largest planes equipped with these safety devices carry five people, but plans are in the works for putting them on larger crafts.
As one manufacturer said, “There is no doubt that big commercial airlines of the future will be equipped with some kind of parachute recovery system.”
Source: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/02/dont-commercial-airplanes-parachutes-passengers/
https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-airlines-have-parachutes-for-passengers?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C3947283052
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