The presence of parachutes in passenger aircraft. Why aren’t airplanes provided for each passenger in case of a catastrophe like the one that happened over France? What is a black box?

As a person who is afraid to fly, I always wondered why passenger planes do not have parachutes under the seats. In the event of a fire or engine failure, I think the chances that the jump will be successful are higher compared to an emergency landing. A very small number of people survive after landing in the water, even if we take into account that the seats are used as a flotation device, but this cannot justify why people will not survive during a parachute jump.

I understand that at first glance, this seems like a good enough idea. I admit, the thought of sitting aboard a doomed plane racing into the abyss awakens Walter Mitty in each of us. After all, even a one percent chance of survival is better than not having it, is it? Unfortunately, even 1 percent seems quite optimistic. To understand why, ask yourself a few questions:

What is the likelihood that the accident will happen exactly when the parachute may really be needed?   After analyzing 49 years of fatal air crashes, Boeing concluded that 12 percent of the crashes occurred on the ground, 20 percent during take-off or during climb, and 36 percent during descent or landing.

It follows that only less than a third of fatal accidents occurred at the time of the flight when the use of the parachute was probably possible. And this, if you do not take into account such possible scenarios of instant death, such as, for example, a collision with a mountain or an explosion in the air, such as with a Boeing 747 (TWA 800) over New York.

What is the likelihood that the average passenger will be able to correctly use the parachute? If you have already made parachute jumps, then you know that it is not so easy to remove parachute equipment. At the same time, we are well aware that many passengers have problems even with seat belts. What about children, babies, the elderly, the disabled, or just worried people? Let's add chaos to this when everyone is trying to do it all in a cramped cabin without any prior training in emergency conditions. Isn’t this really the case?

Even if everyone miraculously handled the equipment, how would they get out of the plane?   Due to the difference between internal and external air pressure, the doors of passenger aircraft cannot be opened at a height. If you try to do this, then due to the above-mentioned differences in pressure, passengers can be thrown out or with a high degree of probability smudge around the cabin, suck in turbines or burn in the exhaust. In truth, DB Cooper probably miraculously avoided these dangers in 1971, when he descended with a parachute from a Boeing 727, which he hijacked. He was the only passenger left on a slow-moving vessel with an emergency exit located at the rear, so he had enough time to prepare. But this only slightly resembles the emergency scenario in question.

You object: “But I still want to have my 0.001 percent!” Very well, then let's do a little cost-benefit analysis.

How much will this tiny chance of success cost?A typical Boeing 737-800 accommodates 150 passengers and a crew of possibly six. An army parachute of the T-11 model could probably be purchased at a price of about $ 600, but remember that we are dealing with untrained users, therefore, we will probably need emergency parachutes, as well as parachutes with automatic disclosure, the cost of which starts from $ 2,000. In addition, you will need lockers for storing parachutes, extra space, ongoing maintenance and inspection, and periodic replacement. Consequently, it is safe to say that the cost of such equipment for one aircraft will exceed $ 500,000.

Where to place parachutes?All air travelers are well aware that passenger aircraft can hardly accommodate all passengers and their luggage. At the same time, each parachute takes at least as much space as a bag on wheels. Where then to store them? If under the seat, this means that there will be no room for legs, or the seats will not be laid out, if at the top there will be no place for hand luggage.

How about weight?   Parachutes of the T-11 model weigh about 16 kilograms (37 pounds), so even if we do not take spare parachutes into account, the airplane will add about 2630 kg (5800 pounds) of weight. To release so much weight, you need to eliminate about 26 passengers and their luggage. The good news is that this frees up space for other people's parachutes. The bad news is that ticket prices are likely to increase by at least 20 percent to cover lost revenue from “disappeared” passengers.

In short, we are talking about huge costs with little to no payback. In comparison, swimming cushions and life vests for landing on water are the limit of practicality. Of course, landing on water does not happen so often, but they do occur - evidence of this is the legendary landing of US Airways 1549 in 2009 on the Hudson River without death by captain Chesley Sullenberger. Pillows and vests are inexpensive and easy to use, and the hope that the plane will float on the surface of the water and is in a stable position when you leave it is confirmed by experience.

It would seem a completely logical and simple solution, which, probably, occurred to everyone, at least once flying, to a person. What are the reasons why there are no parachutes for passengers in airplanes? Is it all about the greed of airlines?

Most “couch experts” reduce the issue to finance. Like, it’s simply unprofitable for air carriers to install additional equipment, as this will lead to more expensive flights and loss of customers. Moreover, companies are even interested in the death of all passengers in the event of a disaster, because this reduces the amount of insurance payments.

Of course, parachutes are not cheap, and to equip them with each passenger seat will fly a pretty penny. However, will this make people more comfortable? Firstly, it’s extra weight. Are there many who want to replace hand luggage with a parachute? And if some of the passengers agree, and the rest are against? Solve the issue by secret ballot?

Secondly, to put on a parachute is not a backpack to fasten on a back. Just one briefing will take a couple of hours. Agree, will you listen to him before each flight? Many straps must be tailored exactly to fit. This means that giving each passenger a standard parachute is not an option. It is necessary to separately think over options for children, pregnant women, the disabled ... Ideally, you need to wear a parachute before the flight, adjust, and fly without removing it. Can you imagine this picture?

Thirdly, a logical question arises: should parachutes be issued to crews of passenger aircraft? If not, it turns out, it’s kind of unfair, to take their chance of salvation from them. And if so, then who can guarantee that at the most critical moment the pilots will not jump out, leaving the falling ship?

And just imagine what a present it would be for terrorists. You can no longer search for suicide bombers willing to carry the bomb on board and explode along with everyone. After all, at any time you can jump out.

But suppose passengers agree, for their own safety, to endure such inconveniences and expose themselves to another risk. But here the following question arises:

Will a parachute save on an airplane

As we already wrote in the article, the vast majority of air crashes happen during takeoff and landing. Everything happens at too low a height for the jump, and in such a short time that you do not have time to wear clothes, but even think about a parachute.

Oh yes, we agreed that we were flying with already dressed parachutes. In addition, not all accidents occur directly near the ground. Well, imagine a situation that critical malfunctions happened on, and this is 10,000 meters. Then the passengers will have a few minutes to evacuate. To understand how much this is, just watch the next video.

In total, it took almost a minute and a half for people who were calm and ready for the experiment, who knew that they were not in danger, to leave the passenger plane through emergency exits. And how much will it take for the same number of people, in a panic, to jump from a 10-kilometer height with the parachute that they see for the first time in their life?

Skydiving instructors know that it’s often difficult even to convince a person who consciously decides to jump and pay money for it to jump out for the first time. Not everyone will decide on this. In addition, there will be a moral dilemma for the daredevils, because the remaining children and the elderly will inevitably die as a result of the depressurization of the cabin.

Say, so what, let it be better to save at least part of the passengers than no one? Well, then let's see what fate awaits those who decide to jump. Movement speed - about 1000 km / h, overboard 50 degrees below zero and lack of oxygen. Even if by some miracle you are not smeared against the wing, pulled into the engine, you do not suffocate and do not freeze, it is not a fact that you will be delighted with what awaits you after landing. The probability of being in the middle of the ocean is much higher than on the threshold of a hospital, which would be so useful to you after such an adventure ...

Then, can all passengers wear at once, when boarding, not only a parachute, but also a wetsuit, an oxygen cylinder, and take a dry pack for 3 days and a survival kit? Or is it already too much? Or here's another idea - a catapult. In case of danger, the pilot presses the button, and hundreds of smiling people fly up into the sky in comfortable chairs, with parachutes above their heads and glasses of champagne in their hands ...

Why there is no catapult in passenger aircraft

Yes, in fact, for the same reason why passengers are not given parachutes: unsuitable conditions for survival overboard, plus the severity and high cost of the structure.

Imagine hundreds of catapults fired simultaneously and parachutes deployed? They will all mix up and one big pancake will fall to the ground. In addition, even if you do not make an individual hatch for each passenger, and build something like a common shootable roof, this will significantly reduce the strength of the fuselage.

Thus, all such “remedies” are nothing more than fantasies that are unworkable. At least for now. That is why there are no parachutes or catapults on airplanes. If you look at the statistics, you will understand that such measures are not adequate to the potential danger. At any time, the roof may collapse on you, but you do not always go in a helmet. So fly calmly and ... enjoy the flight.

Perhaps, many had a question why there are no parachutes for passengers in airplanes. After all, it would seem that this is a very simple and logical solution for saving people in the event of an accident. Most people believe that the whole problem is that airlines simply do not want to spend money on this means of rescue, since installing additional equipment is incredibly expensive. However, not all so simple. Even if parachutes are installed, they will greatly increase the weight of the airliner.

Note that the weight of the device is about 20 kg. Will all passengers agree to take much less baggage? It is also worth knowing that putting on a parachute in a few minutes does not work for an ordinary person. It is unlikely that any of the passengers ever ever put on all the equipment and hopped. And given the turmoil, doing it right is virtually impossible.

In addition, it is necessary to undergo mandatory training, which lasts several hours. Do not forget about the different configuration of people. On the plane can be disabled, old people and children. Choosing parachutes for everyone is almost impossible, therefore, answering the question of whether there are parachutes in passenger aircraft, it is obvious that their presence is inappropriate.

According to statistics, most disasters occur either during take-off or during landing. Everything happens very quickly and at low altitude. Accordingly, the passenger does not even have time to put on a parachute in case of emergency. Of course, one can object. A certain percentage of accidents still occur at high altitude. But in this case, another problem arises.

The fact is that the plane flies at a speed of approximately 800 km / h, and the recommended speed for a jump is two times less. Also, depressurization should not be allowed, as this will almost immediately lead to the death of those remaining in the cabin. But even if a passenger manages to jump out, there is a high probability that at such a high speed you will simply be hit by a wing or sucked into a turbine.

Of course, this is not all. At high altitude air temperature approx. - 40 ° C. Without special clothes, a person will simply freeze. In addition, there is a risk of landing in the ocean. That is why these rescue accessories are not provided in passenger airliners.

What is the approximate cost of this tiny chance?

Modern airliner   accommodates approximately 200 people.   Simplest parachute costs $ 700. It must be remembered that for unprepared people such devices will not work, since parachutes with automatic opening will be required, and their price is already twice as high. In addition, you need a place to store all this equipment. It is also required to regularly service, care for and replace parachutes. Accordingly, the price of an airliner with such a kit will be approximately $ 450,000. If we add here the price of equipment, etc., the amount will be simply huge.

How and where to place parachutes?

Everyone who has ever flown a plane is well aware that a regular passenger airliner is unlikely to be able to accommodate all people and their hand luggage. Recall that any, even the simplest parachute, will take up as much space as a bag on medium-sized casters. Accordingly, the question arises where to put it all. If the parachute is placed under each seat, this will mean lack of legroom, or the seats will not be completely unfolded. If you place extra baggage at the top, there will be nowhere to put your personal belongings.

How much will a parachute airplane weigh?

So, if there is even extra space, how much less will you have to take things? Let's look at this issue in more detail. The easiest parachute weighs a little over 15 kg, however, if you calculate the weight of all devices, then about 3,000 will be added to the mass of the aircraftin order to allocate so much space, it is necessary to eliminate about 30 people with their luggage.

Of course, in this case there is good news, which is that for all people there are parachutes. The chance that everyone will be able to jump is zero. In addition, the cost of tickets will increase by 30-40%. But despite this, companies will practically not pay back the cost of tickets, that is, in this case there will be enormous waste, with almost no payback.

Note that water life jackets will be much more practical, despite the fact that emergency landings in the sea or river are incredibly rare. But there is a living example - a unique landing in the Hudson River, which occurred in the early 2000s. Surprisingly, none of the passengers died. That is why the option with a pillow looks more reliable and simpler. Note that their price is about 10-20 dollars. There is also a high probability that the airliner will not fall apart and float if it lands on water.

Another means of salvation

We have already considered why they don’t give parachutes in airplanes, but many may have an idea with catapults. They will not be given to everyone for the same reason, namely:

  • minus temperature overboard at high altitude;
  • huge weight of the structure;
  • high cost, which will affect the price of tickets.

Probably, it is hardly possible to realize a venture with synchronously fired catapults with all passengers. It is very likely that they will all get confused with each other. Also, do not forget that you will need to make a hatch for each passenger separately. This, in turn, will reduce the strength of the fuselage several times and, accordingly, an emergency situation may arise due to this factor.

Based on this, the use of a parachute or catapult - no more than a fantasy, which is almost impossible to implement. Of course, in a couple of decades, everything can change, but at this stage it is. If you study in detail the statistics of accidents involving an aircraft, you can understand that such measures are not reasonable.

What are the chances of getting into a plane crash

Let's look at the chances of getting into an emergency situation on an airliner. So, according to the latest data, the chance of dying on an airplane is 1 in 20 million. At the same time, the chance of dying in a car accident is 1 in 9,200.   By the way, the chance that the roof of a house will collapse is also higher than to die in an airplane. Therefore, the desire to fly with a parachute or introduce a catapult into the seat may simply be a manifestation of a phobia for flying. To get rid of it, you can turn to any psychologist.

Note that you should not be afraid of flights, all planes are carefully checked before flying. Nowadays, fines for any emergency situations are very high. No company wants to pay crazy insurance money. Therefore, everyone approaches their business with great responsibility.

Can I take a parachute with me?

Many passengers are interested in the question of whether it is still possible to take a parachute with you on a flight. The answer is yes. After all, this is the same thing as the rest. But many experts are sure that the chance to use it is negligible. Therefore, we recommend that you do not frighten such a burden of other passengers, as many may also have a fear of flying.

In contact with

Ecology of knowledge: Everyone certainly wondered: what will happen if the plane starts to fall? Well, if in the water, there and life jackets come in handy. And if just to the ground? Where is the parachute? Why don't they give a parachute on the plane?

Fasten your seat belt, put on a life jacket, do not forget about the oxygen mask. Everyone who has flown an airplane at least once knows about these safety measures.

And everyone certainly wondered: what will happen if the plane starts to fall? Well, if in the water, there and life jackets come in handy. And if just to the ground? Where is the parachute? Why don't they give a parachute on the plane? After all, so many lives could be saved in all these disasters.

Aviation experts unanimously say that a parachute in an airplane is an unnecessary, expensive thing, and generally from the realm of fantasy. But aerophobes do not give up: they believe that parachutes can be installed on the plane, if you add more money for the ticket, use the best engineering minds of the country, and indeed - this is already on military aircraft!

There is even a parachute with which you can successfully jump from the 7th floor. So why can’t you install a parachute or flying capsule in an airplane? Rustoria found out everything.

Oleg Ivashchuk, Head of the Department of Dynamic Simulators at the Cosmonaut Training Center named after Yu. A. Gagarin

The parachute in the passenger plane is definitely superfluous. I will explain why:

1. Passenger aircraft - super reliable car;

2. Most emergency situations with passenger liners occur on takeoff and landing, that is, at minimum altitudes, when the parachute is simply useless (it will not have time to open);

3. When flying at a flight level, that is, at an estimated height of 10-11 thousand meters, a parachute is also useless: a person leaving the plane will simply die. Indeed, “outside” the temperature is -40 degrees, a rarefied atmosphere and almost no oxygen;

4. Finally, carry, imagine, a set of parachutes for 300-500 people - this is a lot of excess weight and little free space. There will be nowhere to put luggage of happy tourists having a rest.

5. And most importantly: parachutes are not carried for the safety of passengers themselves. With turbulence (chatter), even the most insignificant, part of the suspicious passengers seize these same parachutes and run with them to the exit in attempts to open the doors.

And so - there is no parachute - there is no reason for concern! Happy flying to you!
  Oh yes, capsules are a fantasy. For military aircraft, this is true when you need to save one or two people. For a large number of passengers, this is unrealistic. It is very expensive, but the point is not even the cost, but the fact that it is very difficult to implement technically. After all, the ejection seat of a fighter is a very complicated mechanism, a kind of small rocket with a set of systems for survival.

And yet for each person - if in the passenger version - you need to provide a hole in the fuselage and skin, where all this "capsule" will fly out. And the fuselage and skin of a modern passenger aircraft is a very durable structure, eliminating any voids and openings there, and capable of absorbing aerodynamic, weight and thermal loads when flying at speeds of about 900 km / h.

Alexey Kochemasov, civil aviation pilot, aircraft captain. He has a popular blog under the nickname “Pilot Lyokha”

Why do we need a parachute if it is not possible to use it?

Military aircraft (fighters) have parachutes, but these are not just parachutes, but entire rescue systems. The system includes a catapult seat, an oxygen system, a parachute system and a system of protection against mechanical damage to a person by the oncoming flow.

The whole thing weighs about a half ton in total. Talking about how this system works, I think, does not make sense, since it will take about 20 A4 pages.

It is known that the vast majority of disasters occur on takeoff and landing. So: simply applying a parachute in a passenger plane simply will not work, because it (the plane) flies very high and very fast.

Under no circumstances will a passenger be able to put on a parachute in the cabin, if something happens, much less leave the plane.

To open the doors in an airplane at an altitude of 10-12 km, you have to depressurize the plane, that is, let all the air out, otherwise the doors will not open. And if you do it like in a fighter (when the door “shoots”), then explosive decompression will occur, and this, in turn, will instant death.

In the fighter, the pilot sits in a protective helmet and an oxygen mask, and when the rescue system is activated, the oxygen system begins to supply air to the person’s lungs under excessive pressure (automatically), which ensures the vital activity of the body.

You understand that such seats in the passenger compartment are excluded.

Further. The plane flies at a speed of about 800-900 km per hour, which means that getting out safe and sound from the plane at that speed is utopia. A man, along with his parachute, will simply be torn to shreds by an incoming stream of air.

In a fighter, the rescue system ensures the safety of the human body by entering a special deflector into the oncoming flow. This is such a steel telescopic rod, which is fired and fixed in front of the body and head of the pilot.

So, this deflector dissects the incoming flow and keeps the whole human body. Also, do not forget that the military pilot is always in a protective helmet.

Further. Even if you install rescue systems similar to military aircraft in a civilian aircraft, the number of passengers who can carry the aircraft will decrease by about 4-5 times, which means that a ticket will immediately start to cost the same number of times more expensive.

Are there many passengers willing to fly from Moscow to Sochi for 100,000 rubles one way? Yes, and to be in the ejection chair you need all the time tightly fastened and pulled in a helmet and an oxygen mask!

And perhaps the most important thing. After all, it’s not only young girls and guys who are absolutely athletic and completely healthy: how to deal with children, the elderly, hypertensives, who can’t tolerate the physical ejection themselves physically, but even lowering the atmospheric pressure below a certain threshold can become fatal for them?

The use of a parachute in its classical sense (a satchel behind his back) is impossible by definition: you will not force each passenger to put a satchel on his back and sit on the plane for 3-15 hours? And 99.9% of people on the plane will not be able to complete the jump. They just never did it.

As for parachute rescue of the entire cabin. At low altitude, during takeoff and landing, there is simply not enough altitude and time to use the system. And in a collision at a height of two aircraft, you understand, already on the drum all these parachute devices.

And being on the plane at the plane itself, even with failed engines, is much safer than leaving this same plane (well, we said above that it’s out of the realm of fantasy to leave the plane at an altitude of 10 km).

Is it possible to technically take a parachute with you?

If you still decide to take a parachute with you, no one can forbid you from doing this. They should not laugh either.

“A parachute is the same thing as everything else. If by weight it passes as carry-on baggage, then there will be no problems, you can take it with you on board. It is better to check the specific weight standards in advance at the airline, ”Rustoria was informed in the help desk of Sheremetyevo Airport.

But still, you should take a parachute with you only if you really want to scare the rest of the passengers, especially the impressionable aerophobes. Using the parachute for its intended purpose will still fail, our experts are sure.

So just fasten your seat belt, sit back in your chair and think about something nice. And from the porthole almost always open up fantastic views. Have a nice flight and soft landing!published

“I prefer trains to our planes.

Falling off the top shelf is nonsense!

Much worse from heaven without a parachute. "

Why are there no parachutes in airliners carrying thousands of people across the sky? After all, it is quite logical to acquire them for the safety of passengers. Suddenly an accident, engine failure? Parachutes will save passengers! But not so simple and easy. Passenger planes do not and will not have parachutes for travelers or crew members. Why? There are several explanations.

Extra parachute

The civil airliner is a reliable and extremely durable machine. This opinion of experts is justified by the statistics of air crashes. An aircraft accident occurs in one out of 20 million cases (car accidents occur in one out of 9,000 cases).

According to the results of crash studies, out of 570 accidents, only 6% of passengers out of the total number of people on board died. And out of 50,000 in an emergency, 48,000 survived on the plane.

Incorruptible statistics claim that in 95% of air tragedies, an airplane crash occurred during landing and on takeoff of the airliner. At an altitude of 15-20 meters from ground level, a parachute becomes a useless thing and will not save during a free fall. He will not have time to open up. But what about the remaining 5% of disasters? If they occur in the air, a parachute will help!

And where to place a huge number of parachute bags in the cabin? Will this bring comfort to people when flying? Would they agree to take a parachute and give up hand luggage? Even if you provide a place for the general storage of parachutes in an airplane, this is unlikely to be a way out of the situation.

In the turmoil of the crash, when passengers are in a panic, there will be a stampede, people will not get to the parachute bags and do not have time to put them on themselves to save. But, if the majority of passengers vote “for” and decide that in order to save several lives it is possible to suffer inconvenience and put yourself at risk of being crushed by the crowd, other arguments come to counterbalance the decision.

Theory, Practice and Safety

Are you sure you can jump out of a passenger plane with a parachute? Properly put it on, fasten it, get to the emergency exit and open it in time in time? You can’t escape from a falling plane by parachute! A lot of dangers lie in the path of a passenger’s saving and such safe land in a crashing liner:

Parachute difficulties

To put on a parachute bag is not a backpack to fasten. The parachute briefing takes 4-5 hours, and with the practical part, all 10. Does everyone have time before the flight to listen to useful recommendations? Remember that:

  • The straps of the parachute bag, when put on the human body, should ideally fit the person. It is too difficult for an inexperienced person to correctly put on a parachute.
  • We will have to develop individual parachutes for pregnant women, children of all ages and people with disabilities.
  • The parachute is worn on the ground and is not removed during the entire flight. How will you be able to accommodate him in civilian planes?
  • Is there any certainty that flight attendants and crew members will not leave jobs at the tragic moment and will not jump first, saving lives and forgetting about the rest of the passengers?

But, even if a person correctly put on a parachute, before the saving exit he is in wait for the impossible shaking of an airliner in distress. The plane when falling extremely throws to the sides, it is impossible to calmly walk along the aisle at this moment. And to hundreds of people?

Impossible to evacuate everyone instantly

If you think that you can jump from an airplane from any door or even squeeze into the window - you will be mistaken! The only way to safely leave the falling liner is the tail section of the aircraft. Otherwise, the jumping passenger will be smeared on the wing, or even worse, will get into the engine.

If you've ever flown in an airplane, remember what narrow aisles are between the seats. This is the main reason for the appearance of stampede among the passengers of the ill-fated flight. A stampede will happen when all people immediately rush to a rescue emergency exit. Do not forget that the ship in distress is rapidly falling (190-200 km / h). Most people do not have time to reach the tail of the plane.

Speed \u200b\u200band altitude

Imagine that you coped with a parachute pack and were among the first to be near the emergency exit. Will we be saved? Not! Cruising speed (speed at the lowest fuel consumption) of a liner flying at the echelon (predetermined flight level) is on average 800-900 km / h. With this speed mode, the air outside the side turns into a “concrete wall”.

Dangerous speed.   The maximum speed that a person can withstand without a spacesuit or a protective chair is 450-500 km / h. Having jumped out of a liner flying at a speed exceeding safe indicators, the passenger will instantly die (he will be turned inside out and the air flow will grind).

Deadly air.   What about the air itself? According to the results of experiments carried out by doctors, a person already at an altitude of 3.5-4000 kilometers needs additional oxygen intake. And at an altitude of 7-8,000 km from ground level, no unprotected person will survive. On average, airliners fly into the air and fly at an altitude of 10-12,000 kilometers.

Disastrous temperature.Each parachute will have to be understaffed with an oxygen cylinder. And even if you safely jump out of a falling vessel with a parachute and an oxygen chamber, you will encounter external temperature conditions. At an altitude of a flying airliner, the temperature overboard is on average -60⁰C. In a matter of seconds, an unprotected person, being under such temperature conditions, will freeze to death

Danger of depressurization

Another explanation why people on airliners are not given parachutes is depressurization. Throughout the flight, the aircraft is securely sealed. A person does not come into contact with the air environment, which he sees in the window of the porthole. In flight, due to the difference in external and internal pressure, it is physically impossible to open the door to the cabin.

If the depressurization of the cabin occurred at an altitude of 10,000 kilometers (average flight level), passengers live no more than 20-30 seconds. During this time, no one will have time to put on a mask, a parachute and reach the emergency exit in order to be on safe ground.

"Safe" land

Imagine the option when you succeeded: put on a parachute, arm yourself with an oxygen cylinder, and get to the coveted tail of the plane for the passengers of the plane raving about in a crush. Overcome the monstrous speed, air force and pressure and jump out with the falling winged colossus.

Swinging smoothly under the plane that opened, we are relieved to understand that we remained alive in a plane crash. And what awaits below? Where was the plane at the time of the crash? Over the ocean with bloodthirsty sharks and a bottomless water column, over snow-capped mountains, shrouded in cold winds and severe frosts? Or over a hot desert where there is no one but the scorching sun and hot sand?

Before each flight, you should take a survival course in critical situations, learn to swim the oceans, climb without equipment, use your bare hands to deal with bears and wolves (and sharks, crocodiles as well). But man is a victor in life, and survived not in such conditions.

There is still a chance, we love living. And we will fight for an insignificant chance to live in this world. Do airline owners agree to such a position in life? For them, parachute equipment of airplanes is too big an expense item.

Rescue Chance Cost

The economic aspect decides the fate of any idea. The inefficiency of parachuting airliners is half the trouble. The main basis for the inappropriateness of such a step is disadvantageousness. Why do not give out parachutes? Let's do the calculations:

Each parachute (without additional oxygen equipment) carry 10-15 kilograms. This means that a parachute flight will be able to take on board 25-30% less than live weight (that is, without 1/3 of passengers). Instead, parachute packs will fly.

The money difference will be distributed between the remaining tickets, which will significantly affect their cost. In addition, the cost of laying and rent the parachutes themselves. That is, the ticket price will consist of:

  1. The cost of a parachute.
  2. Cash difference between shortage of passengers.
  3. Prices for their regular technical inspection (parachutes without fail are checked for suitability, serviceability, re-laying them with prolonged inactivity).
  4. Salaries of staff engaged in checking, parachuting and instructing passengers before flying.

In this case, the air ticket price will soar that hardly anyone will want to buy a plane ticket worth 150-200 000 rubles to get from Moscow to the Crimea. Therefore, aircraft are not equipped with parachutes.

What about the bailout system? An excellent analogue of a parachute, safe and suitable for any passenger! Equip each seat with a built-in catapult and fly quietly without fear for your life! A frivolous utopia breaks up on an insurmountable wall of obstacles and reasonable explanations:

The ejection system, which is installed in fighter jets, is the most complicated device. This is a large-sized rescue complex, equipped with an armchair, oxygen and parachute auto systems, protection from speed, pressure and temperature.

To be able to use the rescue system, the traveler had to sit the entire flight in this sealed capsule, fastened to all the straps and straps. Dressed in special protective overalls and helmet. The weight of such equipment reaches 200 kg. In this case, the middle board, capable of taking 180 passengers, will be able to take only 12-15 people on board. How much will the ticket price increase? She will become astronomical!

Keep in mind that when the ejection system is triggered, the squib cartridge explodes. "Shooting" one capsule will damage neighboring ones. So, it is necessary to provide for such a finale when installing cabs. Which becomes the reason for re-equipment and global changes in the entire structure of the aircraft, taking into account the openings, where capsules will fly out in case of emergency.

This is why there are no parachutes on airplanes. It is too expensive financially, unprofitable for the passengers themselves, inexpedient and deadly. And it does not add optimism when a cute stewardess at the entrance hands in a parachute pack and wishes for a “successful landing”.

You have to put up and believe that you will not get into one bad chance out of 20 million safe flights. Look at the world easier!