Comparison of Tail and Wing-tip Spin-recovery Parachutes as Determined by Tests in the Langley 20-foot Free-spinning Tunnel

Summary: Tests of spin-recovery parachutes on six models of typical fighter and trainer airplanes were conducted in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel to obtain data for correlating model and full-scale results. Parachutes attached to the tail of the models, to the out wing tip (left wing tip for a right spin), to the inner wing tip, and to both wing tips were tested. The results indicated that parachutes of the same size and type were more effective as spin-recovery devices when they were attached to the outer wing tip in the spin than when they were attached to the tail. The diameter of the outer wing-tip parachute required for a 2-turn recovery by parachute action alone varied from 4 to 7 feet. Parachutes attached to the inner wing tip would not effect recovery. When parachutes attached to both wing tips were used for recovery, the parachute diameters required were of the same order as for tail parachutes. The diameter of the tail parachute required for a 2-turn recovery by parachute action alone varied from 6.5 to 12.5 feet for the airplane designs used.