NATIONAL EMERGENCY PARACHUTES

National 2010 containers have some awesome improvements, they are as follows:

Elimination of Velcro on the container flaps / covers, Use of laminated foam for inner layer of container (giving a "soft" more professional touch), New identification monogram on main lift web, New position for Orange Warning Label - on lower portion of back comfort pad, Size indication (360 / 425 / Flat / 490 etc.) is now located / marked on the Orange Warning Label. More accessible TSO ID tag which now "pulls out" from bottom of right shoulder flap cover (can be read even when wearing parachute).  All parachutes ship with fresh pack out of California and/or Pennsylvania.

 
BACK PREMIUM SERIES   Recommended Parachutes for your Aircraft click here  |  Options  | Used National | Color Combinations  Samples | Back |   Seat | Chair | Aerobatic Harness| Seat Pad |  Packing Manuals
Premium Series/Size/Pilot Wt Mfg List Price  Parachute Shop Price
 360 Back/24 Ft 180 $1999.99 $1599.99
 425 Back/26 Ft /220 $2099.99 $1669.99
 490 Back/28 Ft /240 $2169.99 $1718.99
Buy 2 or more save $50.00    
Model

Canopy Sq/Ft 

 Length Top Width Bottom Width Thickness Upper Back Thickness Lower Lumbar Weight @
360*

360

 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 1-3/4 - 2" 10.8 lbs
425* 425 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 2-1/2" 11.8 lbs
490* 490 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 3 - 3-1/2" 12.8 lbs

Black, Red & Navy Blue Premium Containers                       CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

New for  National the "360/425/490" Premium Trim Series
Emergency Back Parachutes Color Choices:  Black or Red or Navy Blue (Black Trim & Harness). Hardware:  B-12 Snaps on Leg Straps, Thread-thru on Chest. Logic:  Mass produce in "standard configuration" with limited colors. Free Carry Bag Included Summary: Same quality parachute system that performs equally as the pre-existing "Signature Series" but without frills or options. The 360 / 425 / 490 Premium Series Trim is currently available only in the Back Parachute.  The "cost streamlining" is limited to the cosmetics of the harness / container, the canopy remains unchanged.
 

 

National Flat or Taper Series    Recommended Parachutes for your Aircraft click here |  Options  | Used National | Color Combinations  Samples | Back |   Seat | Chair | Aerobatic Harness| Seat Pad |  Packing Manuals

Signature Colors, Any combination of black, Navy, Red or Royal Blue with choice of standard or A-Harness, 2-Tone or 1-Color with matching Trim & Harness & Diamond Quilting & Stripes. No Custom Monogram Anymore.
National Flat or Taper / Pilot Wt List Price  Parachute Shop Price Cash or Check
 Premium  Flat or Taper Back / 220 $2099.99 $1649.99
Signature  Flat or Taper Back / 220 $2149.99 $1719.99
Buy 2 or more save $50.00    
Compared to our original Back Parachutes, the new "National Flat" is slightly wider and higher...but much flatter.  Plus, you have two choices for final shape / thickness based on the rigger's packing method. 1)  "Taper" is 3.5" top / 1" bottom (beltline) thickness (see Navy above)  2)  "Fully Flat" is 2.25" thickness throughout (see Red above)
a)  The "Taper" and "Fully Flat" dimensions are 15" wide by 24" high.  b)  the Flat uses the Free Flite Preserve (Wt Limit 220 lbs, Speed Limit 168 mph) parachute canopy with a 22 panel steerable conical rated up to 220 lbs.   c)  The weight is 13.8 lb. (includes B-12 Snaps on leg straps). The Premium model accepts no options, the Signature accepts all options.

 

Back Signature Series National  Recommended Parachutes for your Aircraft click here |  Options  | Used National | Color Combinations  Samples | Back |   Seat | Chair | Aerobatic Harness| Seat Pad |  Packing Manuals

Signature Colors, Any combination of black, Navy, Red or Royal Blue with choice of standard or A-Harness, 2-Tone or 1-Color with matching Trim & Harness & Diamond Quilting & Stripes. No Custom Monogram Anymore.
Signature Back Series/Size/Pilot Wt List Price  Parachute Shop Price Cash or Check
 360 Back / 24 Ft /180 $2049.99 $1649.99
 425 Back / 26 Ft /220 $2149.99 $1719.99
 490 Back / 28 Ft /240 $2219.99 $1768.99
Buy 2 or more save $50.00    
Model

Canopy Sq/Ft 

 Length Top Width Bottom Width Thickness Upper Back Thickness Lower Lumbar Weight
360*

360

 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 1-3/4 - 2" 10.8 lbs
425* 425 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 2-1/2" 11.8 lbs
490* 490 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 3 - 3-1/2" 12.8 lbs

 

 

SEAT SIGNATURE SERIES Recommended Parachutes for your Aircraft click here |  Options  | Used National | Color Combinations  Samples | Back |   Seat | Chair | Aerobatic Harness| Seat Pad |  Packing Manuals

Signature Colors, Any combination of black, Navy, Red or Royal Blue with choice of standard or A-Harness, 2-Tone or 1-Color with matching Trim & Harness & Diamond Quilting & Stripes. No Custom Monogram Anymore.
Signature Seat Series/Size/Pilot Wt List Price  Parachute Shop Price Cash or Check
 360 Seat / 24 Ft /180 $2149.99 $1759.99
425 Seat / 26 Ft /220 $2249.99 $1856.99
490 Seat / 28 Ft /240 $2319.99 $1949.99
Buy 2 or more save $50.00    
Model

Canopy Sq/Ft 

 Length Top Width Bottom Width Thickness Upper Back Thickness Lower Lumbar Weight
360*

360

 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 1-3/4 - 2" 10.8 lbs
425* 425 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 2-1/2" 11.8 lbs
490* 490 22" 13" 15" 1-1/2" 3 - 3-1/2" 12.8 lbs
All SEAT Parachute harnesses come standard with B-12 Leg Snaps & Thread-Thru Chest Strap (Please add $25.00 for B-12 Chest Snap). Your choice of canopy size.  Quick Ejectors Snaps are Optional, at $50.00 each.  Most seat parachutes ordered are left in the aircraft seats and the ejector snaps make it easy to get in and out of your parachute while in the aircraft.  National's Seat Pack is especially desirable when the cockpit has more vertical space than horizontal. The harness is fully torso adjustable but not girth. For added comfort, the seat pad has one inch of "Astronaut Foam"  (accessible via Velcro closure), which can be removed for a 1" reduction in thickness, making this seat pack the thinnest. Once removed the 1 inch pad cannot return to the container until the repack cycle. Shipping not included  The Seat Pack Measurements for the 360, 425, and 490:   15" Side to side and 13" Front To Back. The thickness is" 360-2", 425-3", 490-4"(with 1" removable pad removed)

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE
 

CHAIR SIGNATURE SERIES 

 The National Chair has been discontinued and replaced with the National Signature Flat Parachute with the removable GRF (Gravity Retainer Flap) please add $135.00 to the National Signature Flat.      

Gravity Retainer Flap

First introduced at Oshkosh, this option is for our Back Style Parachute only.
Based on Pilot's requests, the "GRF" is designed to hold the back parachute down and in place while doing intense aerobatics ... just as gravity does normally in level flight!
The "GRF" cushion area is 14¾" wide, 15" deep and comes standard with 1" thick "Astronaut Foam"  The cushion area is adjacent to the parachute base, attached with a 2" Velcro strip which allows for position adjustment and / or removal. Special channels are provided for harness leg strap routing. The foam cavity is user accessible for making adjustments in thickness or to remove for washing

 

OPTIONS - SIGNATURE SERIES ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS ONLY

  
A-Harness (Alternative or Aerobatic) Harness N/C
Snaps, B-12 with V-Ring Adjustable (Each Set) $45.00
Snaps, Quick Ejector (Military Type) / With V-Ring (Each) $80.00
Signature Carry Bag $50.00
Gravity Retainer Flap (Ordered with new parachute) $140.00
Sheepskin Pad - Back type only, seat not available $149.99
INSPECT & REPACK PARACHUTE  (REQUIRED EVERY 180 DAYS) FOR BACK TYPE $75.00
INSPECT & REPACK PARACHUTE  (REQUIRED EVERY 180 DAYS) FOR SEAT OR CHAIR $80.00
National Phantom 24 Ft Canopy $1025.00
National Phantom 26 Ft Canopy $1075.00
National Phantom 28 Ft Canopy $1125.00

Parachute Canopies

Color photo of open Parachute & jumper, showing steering / drive vents.
National Parachute Canopy  NATIONAL EMERGENCY PARACHUTES were developed with the pilot in mind. The meaning of the 360, 425 and 490 means the square footage, ie: 360 means a canopy of 360 sq ft. Our high quality parachutes don't require unnecessary hardware or pack stiffening plates to maintain their shape.  Efficient engineering went into all models right from the start.  They feel and work great and will continue to for years.
The Preserve 1 is 24-Foot, 22 Panel Diameter Steerable Low Porosity Conical Canopy for weights up to 220 Lbs at 140 Knots, manufactured by Free Flite Enterprises , a California Company, this canopy is the same that's used in Mini-Softies. P/N Model FFE-201, for weights up to 240 Lbs at 140 Knots,  24 foot steerable conical reserve is one of the lightest on the market weighing only 6 1/2 lbs. It is block constructed and made from 1 oz ripstop, 0-5 CFM (cubic feet per minute) material. The canopy has 22 gores, 4 panels each, with 3 concentric bands, and a meshed double "L" modification. The suspension lines are 550 lb tensile strength, and are 7515 Type II. The canopy is diaper deployed. The PRESERVE I, High Speed, is authorized under NAS 804, Paragraph 4.3.6.1 Standard (High Speed) Type Parachute.

Photo of harness hardware choices.

Color Samples

Premium Trim Series
Emergency Back Parachutes Color Choices:  Black or Red or Navy Blue (Black Trim & Harness). Hardware:  B-12 Snaps on Leg Straps, Thread-thru on Chest.

Signature Colors, Any combination of black, Navy, Red or Royal Blue with choice of standard or A-Harness, 2-Tone or 1-Color with matching Trim & Harness & Diamond Quilting & Stripes. No Custom Monogram Anymore.

 

Packing Manual PDF 
(Dec 2006 Update)

Seat Parachute Supplement PDF

Chair Parachute Supplement PDF

"National Flat" Ad PDF
 

Color photo of open Parachute & jumper, showing steering / drive vents.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY PARACHUTES were developed with the pilot in mind. The meaning of the 360, 425 and 490 means the square footage, ie: 360 means a canopy of 360 sq ft. Our high quality parachutes don't require unnecessary hardware or pack stiffening plates to maintain their shape.  Efficient engineering went into all models right from the start.  They feel and work great and will continue to for years.

Technical Information

NATIONAL 360
Total Weight ............................10.8 lbs.
Canopy ...........................24 Ft. Conical
Area ....................................362 Sq. Ft.
Fabric ................................F-111 Nylon
Lines ................................400 lb. nylon
Reinforcing Bands .......Laminated Kevlar
Deployment System .............Full Diaper
Recommended Pilot Wt. ...Up to 177 lbs.
Maximum Gross Wt. ....188 lbs. (85 kg.)
Rate Of Turn ...........180o  in 4-5 seconds
TSO C23b ................Standard Category
Maximum Deployment Speed ...140 kts.*

NATIONAL 425
Total Weight ...........................11.8 lbs.
Canopy .......................... 26 Ft. Conical
Area ....................................425 Sq. Ft.
Fabric ...............................F-111 Nylon
Lines ................................400 lb. nylon
Reinforcing Bands ......Laminated Kevlar
Deployment System .............Full Diaper
Recommended Pilot Wt. ...Up to 208 lbs.
Maximum Gross Wt. ...220 lbs. (100 kg.)
Rate Of Turn ...........180o  in 4-5 seconds
TSO C23b ................Standard Category
Maximum Deployment Speed ...140 kts.*

NATIONAL 490
Total Weight ….......................12.8 lbs.
Canopy ....…..................28 Ft. Conical
Area .....…............................492 Sq. Ft.
Fabric .….............................F-111 Nylon
Lines …...............................400 lb. nylon
Reinforcing Bands .......Laminated Kevlar
Deployment System .............Full Diaper
Recommended Pilot Wt. ...Up to 241 lbs.
Maximum Gross Wt. ...254 lbs. (115 kg.)
Rate Of Turn ...........180o  in 4-5 seconds
TSO C23b ...............Standard Category
Maximum Deployment Speed ..140 kts.*
*See Updates / News regarding discussion about "Airspeeds and Parachutes."