mattpilot said:
here's a Q...
Why do you wear parachutes in gliders but not in airplanes?
Seems kinda odd to me.
Not really. If you have ever flown a glider or been flying around them it is easy to see why you would want to wear a chute. First of all the profile of a glider makes them very very difficult to see. The best time to spot one is when they are in a tight turn revealing the tops of their wings. I have been in a thermal and didn't see a glider until it was almost on top of me. Doesn't happen all the time, but it can happen.
Secondly many times you will find yourself is a thermal with other gliders and at times the gliders can get very close. Sometimes too close. Midairs have happened and will continue to happen. A chute is just another layer of safety. Just in case. Another point to also consider is that many gliders dont have radios or the pilot just doesn't want to use them.
Third. At my old gliderport we had a victor airway that went right over the field. Many times your would be working a thermal only to see a Bonanza streak by (probably on an IFR flight plan) that had no clue he was flying through an area of gliders. If a midair happens with a powered aircraft a chute gives you another option in case you need it.
Lastly if you are doing aerobatics in a glider (which many people do) chutes are required by the FAA. Don't wanna pi$$ off the feds.