Which condition requires all occupants to wear an approved parachute during flight?

• A. When intentionally pitching the nose of the aircraft up or down 30 degrees or more
• B. Always during flight
• C. Only during takeoff and landing
• D. When flying above 10,000 feet

Answer: (A)

Parachutes are required during aerobatic flight. When you intentionally pitch the nose up or down by about 30 degrees or more, you’re in an aerobatic maneuver, where the aircraft can quickly enter unusual attitudes and the forces on the occupants become unpredictable. Wearing an approved parachute in these conditions provides a means of survival if something goes wrong, since the risk of serious injury or loss of control is higher in extreme attitudes. Outside of aerobatics, there isn’t a general parachute requirement for normal flight, for takeoff/landing, or simply because you’re at a certain altitude. So the need for everyone aboard to wear a parachute specifically applies when performing those pitch-extreme maneuvers.