This specification covers minimum requirements for the design, manufacture, and installation of airframe emergency parachutes for light sport aircraft. Materials used for parts and assemblies, shall meet the conditions specified for (1) suitability and durability, (2) strength and other properties assumed in the design data, and (3) effects of environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, expected in service. Parachute model designations shall include the following: (1) parachute system parts list, (2) new parachutes model designations, (3) design changes, and (4) installation design changes. The strength requirements shall be specified in terms of limit loads and ultimate loads. The following minimum performance standards for the basic parachute system design shall be met: (1) parachute strength test to determine the ultimate load factor, (2) rate of descent, (3) component strength test, (4) staged deployment, and (5) environmental conditions. The installation design requirements are specified for the following: (1) coordination, (2) weight and balance, (3) system mounting, (4) extraction performance, (5) parachute attachment to the airframe, (6) activating housing routing, and (7) occupant restraint. Other requirements such as system function and operations and product marking are also detailed.

1.1 This specification covers minimum requirements for the design, manufacture, and installation of parachutes for airframes. Airframe emergency parachutes addressed in this standard refer to parachute systems designed, manufactured, and installed to recover the airframe and its occupants at a survivable rate of descent. This standard is not applicable to deep-stall parachutes, spin recovery parachutes, drogue parachutes, or other airframe emergency aerodynamic decelerators not specifically intended for safely lowering the airframe and occupants to the ground. The standard is applicable to these types of parachutes if they are an integral part of an airframe emergency parachute system designed to recover the airframe and occupants at a survivable rate of descent.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. There may be values given in parentheses that are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units. Values in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.2.1 Note that within the aviation community mixed units are appropriate in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreements. While the values stated in SI units are regarded as standard, certain values such as airspeeds in knots and altitude in feet are also accepted as standard.

1.3 Airframe emergency parachute recovery systems have become an acceptable means of greatly reducing the likelihood of serious injury or death in an in-flight emergency. Even though they have saved hundreds of lives in many different types of conditions, inherent danger of failure, even if properly designed, manufactured and installed, remains due to the countless permutations of random variables (attitude, altitude, accelerations, airspeed, weight, geographic location, etc.) that may exist at time of usage. The combination of these variables may negatively influence the life saving function of these airframe emergency parachute systems. They are designed to be a supplemental safety device and to be used at the discretion of the pilot when deemed to provide the best chance of survivability.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.