Parachutes are required by the sanctioning organization (ssa or fai) during sailplane contests.
Most higher performance gliders have the seats designed for a pilot wearing a parachute. From what I've seen in the US most training/club flying is done without parachutes and most private owners have and wear them.
2 modern (slightly heavy) americans plus chutes would I suspect put most training gliders over gross. Plus getting out the backseat of a 2-33 in time is doubtful.
I would guess that the guys you see wearing parachutes are either racing pilots or just using a parachute to fill the seat pan like the designers intended. If the choice is cushion or parachute might as well take the parachute.
Most higher performance gliders have the seats designed for a pilot wearing a parachute. From what I've seen in the US most training/club flying is done without parachutes and most private owners have and wear them.
2 modern (slightly heavy) americans plus chutes would I suspect put most training gliders over gross. Plus getting out the backseat of a 2-33 in time is doubtful.
I would guess that the guys you see wearing parachutes are either racing pilots or just using a parachute to fill the seat pan like the designers intended. If the choice is cushion or parachute might as well take the parachute.
Last edited: