# Why no parachutes on large jets? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512 "2009-01-15T23:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/1 "2009-01-15T23:35:49Z")
Is it possible, has it been tested? I’m thinking it could deploy hundreds of small ones, or a handful of very large ones to lessen the impact of a plane that has failed. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/2 "2009-01-15T23:38:50Z")
I’m pretty sure the idea has been examined - I believe it’s the case that parachutes of sufficient surface area (and all the lines, etc) to make a difference to the uncontrolled descent of a jet liner would weigh so much and take up so much space as to make it uneconomical to fly. Plus… once the parachutes are out, you can’t glide - there is little control. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/3 "2009-01-16T01:07:38Z")
I don’t know if the idea has seriously been considered or tested. But I do know two things: First, a passenger jet cruises at about 500-600 miles per hour, and I think takeoff and landing speeds are well over 100 MPH. I don’t think a parachute would last long at that velocity. Second, have you seen parachutes that people use? A Boeing 777 has a maximum gross weight in the 600,000 pound range, so imagine enough parachute power to handle weight equivalent to 3,000 Green Berets. The only aircraft I’ve heard parachutes being used for were the space capsules. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/4 "2009-01-16T01:23:21Z")
Somebody makes a small plane that has a parachute big enough for the plane. Of course you have to find a flat spot to land even with the parachute, you don’t want to be over a forest. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/5 "2009-01-16T01:44:19Z")
We have had some prior threads on parachutes and airplanes. For everyone’s convenience, and to keep the search hamsters from overwork. Airliners and parachutes: > **[parachutes in commercial airliners](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=240028)** > > Why don’t commercial airliners install emergency parachutes underneath each seat in case an unfixable problem occurs at 30 000 feet? Mostly small planes: > **[Are there some planes that have their own parachutes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=321651)** > > I gather that there a few people on this board that are pilots, like Johnny L.A., so maybe I could get an answer to something I’ve been wondering about. I recall reading long ago about a small trainer aircraft that had its own giant parachute. If... > **[Ballistic Parachute Option](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=267170)** > > In April two Cirrus aircraft were brought safely to earth by their ballistic parachute systems. The pilot of an SR-20 lost control in turbulence 11,500 feet over mountains in British Columbia and deployed his 'chute. He and his three passengers... > **[Some planes now come with whole plane parachutes! What are size limits with...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=250394)** > > I never even knew these things existed until reading this news story! What is the size limit on how big a plane can be before these entire plane parachutes become impractical? Engine failure forces pilot to parachute after takeoff in North... ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-parachutes-on-large-jets/481512/6 "2009-01-16T01:51:35Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > The only aircraft I’ve heard parachutes being used for were the space capsules. The modern versions of Cirrus small airplanes have whole plane parachutes (I think they are standard or close to it). I know of at least two incidents with their aircraft and people aboard that were saved by it and maybe more. There are retrofit kits for some other small planes but they are very expensive. [http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/parachute/default.aspx](http://www.cirrusaircraft.com/parachute/default.aspx) However, we have done the airliner/parachute question many times here. It simply won’t work for a variety of reasons even if you could make a parachute that big and store it somewhere on the plane. Most people in airliner accidents still survive. The most important safety feature is a very skilled crew which was proved today by an airliner crash in the Hudson river.