Pilot chute

The pull-out and throw-out pilot chutes are identical in construction; the difference is in their connection to the handle and the bridle, and in the way they are packed.

[4] Drogues used on tandem-systems are basically large throw-out pilot chutes, but the bridle is anchored on the container with a release system.

Once deployment of the parachute has occurred a kill line running up the center of the pilot chute bridle becomes loaded.

This kill line pulls down on the apex of the pilot chute collapsing it and greatly reducing its drag on the canopy.

[5] Some designs replace the kill line with a fixed length of shock cord, which stretches when the pilot chute is moving quickly, allowing it to inflate.

While this avoids the possibility of pilot-in-tow malfunction due to an un-cocked pilot, it has the disadvantage of requiring significant airspeed to operate.

This type may also begin to re-inflate behind a highly loaded, fast moving canopy, negating the usefulness of a collapsible pilot chute.