Lear drag-chutes
 

This is just a question I wanted to throw on here for any Learjet folks.

I'm just a dumb airline guy that was curious about Learjet drag-chute kits. The other day I was thumbing through a publication that advertises aircraft and noticed that numerous Lears had these kits installed. I actually thought it was sort of interesting. I've never actually seen them in use anywhere, is it typically an emergency-only device? Or was it due to brake-design on the 20-series, etc? Just curious...

Really designed for emergency use only though there is also an air brake system as well if the hydraulics fail. Many of the 35's I flew had the chute installed.

There has been at least one event where one deployed in flight. It should be hooked up such that even an accidental deployment would just throw out the chute without being attached to the aircraft. There is a hook or riser of sort that is supposed to catch the chute if you purposely use it. The mechanic had installed it incorrectly and the pilots did not catch it on preflight. When the chute deployed it was attached in such a way that they could not jettison it.

It was even an option on the 55s. We have a early 55 with no T/Rs and it has the chute.

Must be fairly easy to repack. I helped repack a chute on a F-4S once and it wasn't an easy job and not one that a pilot in a nice shirt and tie would be doing! Interesting though - I never know any corporate type of aircraft had a drag chute. I imagine that a drag chute deployed in flight would be ripped to shreds.

USMCFLYR

They are meant to be deployed at low speeds like 100 knots or so. When I worked on test aircraft we had them on all the aircraft, and they had speed limitations around 120 knots. Get in an unrecoverable spin, pull the handle, it would pull the tail up. Some use explosive charges and some just use springs to deploy. The spring and cable systems especially were not all that reliable, I heard recently one of the test aircraft had an accidental deployment without doing anything to ask for it. They jettisoned the chute and all was well, not sure if the chute was damaged. Pilots do not pack them, sent them off to a guy who specializes in that.

I was just talking to a guy yesterday that flys the Kfir and he was talking about an accidental deployment on landing rollout. They approach at 190 and cross the numbers at 175 and in this case right at touchdown the chute deployed. He said it just ripped to shreds and he jettisoned it. Having never flown an airplane with a chute before I asked him about malfunctions and how common they were. He said they happen once in awhile but they aren't that big of a problem.

USMCFLYR

The F-4 landing chute could be repacked by most anyone and we used them often to save the brakes. It took a stand and a good wacking with a chock to get all of that JP stinking nylon into the tailcone. It was deployed by a large spring.

Alternate uses included spin recovery. Tapping the burners would cut the chute in less than a second as would hitting the release handle.

The major problem with a chute on rollout is that it increases your sensitivity to crosswinds by a very large factor.

Cubdriver is right as usual, above a certain speed most will be ripped off or blown out. The fighter chutes were good for about 160+ knots or so.

Well you didn't *always* need to use a chock as those rascally PCs made me use my fist to punch the last of the chute into that little tailcone - of course racking my knuckles in the process! :eek:

USMCFLYR

Never use your valuable hands when a heavy blunt object is handy, whether packing chutes or punching "yutes".

What everyone says sounds good, but i think the faster you are (up to the limits of the device) the more effective it would be. The Lear 35 maximum drag chute deploy speed is 150kt (demonstrated). Vref is anywhere between 115-130kts. Shouldn't be an issue on the ground, but should separate in flight.

The Coast Guard Falcon 20's have chutes too

Lear chutes
 

Way back when, I was driving around in the 20, 30, and 50 series Lears, somewhere in a manual I read where the chute risers were originally designed to pull apart above 256KTS.

Probably a good plan, if it deployed in flight I'm sure it would "rock your world". :eek:

Sure was a damn fine airplane once it got used to you.

Trying to remember from class (a few years ago now), but IIRC the Citation 1 (CE-500) even had an optional drag chute.

With ref speeds as low as the high 90s, no power brakes and a nitrogen backup to the brakes I can't fathom why, but.....I'm sure there are stranger things.

Anyone here ever use a drag chute in a bizjet?

-mini

Our late S/N Lear 35A is not equipped with one. However, for the general edification of everyone involved:

• The greatest deceleration rate is produced at the highest speed; however, the chute is still effective at speeds below 60 knots.

• The main chute riser attaches to the aircraft at the chute control mechanism just forward of the canister. The loop at the end of the main riser slips over a recessed metal pin that is held in position by spring pressure when the drag chute handle is stowed. Therefore, if the chute should inadvertently deploy (handle in stowed position,) the main chute riser will slip free of the pin and separate from the aircraft.

The chute should not be deployed:

• In flight
• If the nose gear is not on the ground
• When the indicated airspeed is above 150 knots
• With thrust reversers deployed

All factual information courtesy of the FlightSafety Learjet 30 Series Pilot Training Manual.

I have the scars on my right wrist from the little vent that stuck out. I have probably packed over 1000 chutes while at VMFA-235 and VMFP-3.

Her sir, Thanks for going around with the chute still attached! that made for one hot SOB...and yes..we still used it.

The chute handle in the 20 and 30 series is in the worst possible place, I think I have an indent in my left leg from that handle. My old employer removed all the chutes but kept the handles in place.

In a previous life, I pulled the drag chute on a Lear 35A with the permission of our maintenance department prior to a required inspection. It was extremely effective at 100 knots. I would encourage any operator to use it if they had to.

I think it was a 24D that we flew that had the drag chute. Never used it but one of the other pilots did. Not difficult to repack and as others have noted, the concerns were the effect in strong crosswinds.

The -20 series Lears had good brakes so that was not a factor. I think the chute was included in the -24 and -25 because at that time, the approach speeds were far above what many gen av pilots were used to. While the chute was effective, it was not necessary as many operators just chose to use longer runways.

hm, does anyone have pics of a bizjet with a chute deployed? :)

Chute used for hydroplaning
 

Three of the four LR35's I fly have the chute. One of our crews used it when they were hydroplaning one day. They were yawing 30 to 45 degrees each way skidding down the runway. The chute straightened them right up.

Nice vid :)

We have a drag chute on our Citation...but on the Citation, it is not used to slow down.

The chute is installed in the NOSE of the airplane...we use it when eastbound in the winter to take advantage of the tailwinds...:D

We never dropped the chute ON the runway. Considered 'bad form'.

Somebody buy this guy a beer.:D

-mini

About 10 years ago in KSLN winter time we lost a fuel computer on takeoff had a roll back on snow the lear 35 chute was pulled and man it worked great. even the line guys said it looked cool and saved us that night

Years back I was over by NAS Dallas and there was a really loud noise. Looked up and saw a F-4 going around dragging his chute. Sounded like he did the whole pattern in burner.

All of the early Falcon 20's had the drag chute. My Father was Director of Maint. for an operator here in Florida and on one of the inspections they were required to deploy the chute inspect it and repack it. I understand it was a big job. The chute was done away with when the airplane had TR's installed. The Coast Guard airplanes are H-25's and the civilian version is the Falcon 200. I think the early Falcon 10's also had the chute if they didnt have TR's.