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The take off distance will vary depending on several factors. The first factor is how long it takes to get the parachute off of the ground, up overhead and inspected. This distance will vary with practice and wind conditions. The longest distance will be if the wind is not blowing. Any time the wind blows it will assist the parachute in inflating. Once the parachute is inspected you have to accelerate to 26 mph and lift off. The total length of runway needed will depend on the obstacles to be cleared and the air. Any obstacle that you have to fly over you will want the maximum amount of clearance that can be obtained. The air condition will affect the performance of the parachute. The Sixchuter climbs approximately 500 feet/minute. This figure is at sea level, 72 degrees Fahrenheit, standard barometric conditions and a 175 lb. pilot. The climb rate with a passenger on board will decrease depending on the passenger weight. As the altitude gets higher, the temperature gets hotter and the humidity rises, the air thins out. The effect of this is to reduce the lifting ability of the parachute. With 26 mph forward speed you will have an approximate 3.00:1 climb ratio. That means that you will travel forward 3.00 feet for every foot you climb. To clear a 50 foot obstacle you will need an absolute minimum of 300’ to clear the obstacle. This is only if you can lift off in 150’, which is about the minimum take off distance. As much as 300’ may be necessary to inspect the parachute for some pilots and at certain times. Compare with 400-600’ feet/minute rate of climb. An additional 134’ is now needed to clear the same obstacle. Head winds will decrease the take off distance, tail winds will increase it.
Warning: this information is provided as an example only. Actual performance on any give day will vary. When calculating (estimating) rate of climb and performance to clear an obstacle always figure on the conservative side to be safe.
How will you know what is a safe distance to give you a sufficient margin? Use the above factors and gauge your own vehicle, weight, wind, temperature, humidity, and take off distance. If you are not sure if the safety factor is sufficient, don’t fly from that field. Move your operations to a larger runway until you have practiced enough to know if you can safely take off from the smaller runway. Measure the distance to the obstacle and lay out the same distance at the larger runway. When you have reached that distance, what is your altitude? If you are too close to the ground when you reach that point then don’t consider flying at the shorter runway. |
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