Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-04
U.S.. PLANS TO TEST
PARACHUTE TYPES
Issuance of "Approved Ger
tificates" for Manufactur.
ers Is Considered.

As another step In its campaign 70
insure aeronautical safety, the Depart
ment of Commerce is considering the
advisability of issuing approved type
certificates to manufacturers OF para
chutes whose products meet certain
rigid requirements, 1t was announced
last night by Maj. Clarence M. Young,
director of aeronautics OF the depart
ment.
Proposed regulations would prohibit
the use of any but approved type certin-
Gates in licensed aircraft and would
tend to drive of the market any type
of parachute failing to measure up 10
stringent safety standards.
It is intended that the proposed reg
ulations shall apply anly to individual
man-carrying parachuteS OF the type
known as pack on-aviator, rtp-cord
manually operated" This Is the type
now in general use. other types which
may develop and which give promise OF
efficiency, however, will be given con-
sideration, Maj. Young said.
Test Draft Is Submitted.
A preliminary draft Of suggested
parachute test procedure and require
nents now is being submitted by the
Department of Commerce for the con-
sideration of parachute manufacturers,
in accordance with the desire OF the
aeronautic branch to supply the indus
try as soon as possible with an estab-
lished commercial standard.
In order to obtain approval OF given
type of parachute 1t will be necessary
under the proposed regulations Tor a
manufacturer to submit to the Depart
ment of Commerce complete drawings
and specifications, including strength
of materials, and details regarding con-
Struction, release and harness mocha
niSm and packing methods.
Each type of parachute then Will be
tested in four different ways to deter
mine its promptnesS of operation, GER
tainty of functioning, strength and
rate of descent.
To demonstrate prompt functioning,
the parachute must open fully before
20O-po,ind dummy, from an airplane
travelling go miles an hour at an altitude
of not more than $50 feet.
To test certainty of functioning, the
parachute will be dropped 10 times with
a 20O-pound dummy, from an altitude
of not more than 500 feet, with airplane
speed of go miles per hour. The para
chute suspension lines will be twisted
purposely in packing. To pass the test
twists removed.
500 Pounds In Strength Test.
The strength test will consist of i've
drops with the parachutes carrying 800
pounds of lead weight. The drops Will
be made at an convenient altitude from
an airplane travelling IS miles per hour.
No external shock absorbers will be per-
mitted and the parachute must show no
failure of materials.
In the fourth test the rate Of descent
for a live Jump must not exceed IL
feet per second and the rider must not
suffer any discomfort from the shock
of opening and must be able to diSen-
gage himself from the harness after
landing. To qualify under this test.
three "live" jumps viii be made from
an altitude of 1000 feet.
Each parachute, after the type has
been approved, must be made under
rigid supervision. All parts must be
properly tested before assembly. harness
and packs must bear the manufactur-
er'S name, address, serial number and
date Of manufacture and the manufac-
turer must stamp on the canopy and
harness the date when each should be
replaced At present it Is recommended
that silk parachute be replaced four
years from date of manufacture. q cot
ton chute within two years and harness
within two years.
The contemplated approved type GER
tificate will remain in force until re-
voked or suspended. It will be revocable
at any time for any infringement Of
the spirit or letter Of the Government
regulations. Twice each year, the man
ufacturer will be required to submit TO
the Department Of Commerce an am
davit certifying that all parachutes
manufactured under q given approved
type certificate are in exact accordance
with the design and specifications sub
mitted and shall list the serial num-
bers of all such parachutes. The am
davit must state that the Governments
requirements are complied with fully: