THE BEST PARACHUTES ON THE PLANET™
The H-X SeriesTM Canopies are the most thoroughly tested canopies ever introduced into service and have proven to be the most reliable emergency parachutes ever built. They also have the highest airspeed and weight ratings of any FAA TSO Authorized emergency parachute canopy. During the spring of 1998 Butler Parachute Systems conducted over 300 test drops for our H-X development program. There were zero malfunctions and zero structural failures while within the design parameters set for the production parachutes. This astounding performance record was made possible by the use of the BAT Sombrero SliderTM (US Patent 5,890,678) on the H-X Series Canopies.
Now you really can buy a modern, lightweight, emergency parachute system that has actually been tested at weights and speeds appropriate to today’s high performance Aerobatic aircraft and Warbirds.
The BAT Sombrero SliderTM is the most important new parachute technology in decades. It is the first and only inflation control device that:
virtually eliminates line-over malfunctions (the round parachute canopy's "genetic defect")
enhances the canopy inflation and opening performance across the entire operating speed range
opens the canopy faster at low speeds while also slowing the canopy opening at high speeds
provides self-modulating, continuous control of the inflation process
can be "tuned" to nearly any opening time or force profile required.
provides nearly perfect symmetry of the canopy skirt for ideal structural loading.
Specifications of the H-X Series™ Canopies Currently Authorized by the FAA
| Canopy Model | Nominal Diameter (ft) |
# of Gores | Surface Area (ft2) | Canopy Weight (lb) | Manufacturer's Recommended Maximum Limits | FAA TSO C23d Certificated (USA) Maximum Limits | Demonstrated Overload Test Conditions | Demonstrated Overload Test Conditions |
| HX-300 | 19.56 | 16 | 300 | 5.8 | 174 lb. @ 165 KIAS | 250 lb. @ 150 KIAS | 300 lb. @ 180 KIAS | 300 lb. @ 180 KIAS |
| HX-400 | 22.58 | 18 | 400 | 6.4 | 236 lb. @ 190 KIAS | 340 lb. @ 170 KIAS | 408 lb. @ 180 KIAS | 400 lb. @ 205 KIAS |
| HX-500 | 25.23 | 20 | 500 | 7.9 | 306 lb. @ 190 KIAS | 440 lb. @ 170 KIAS | 528 lb. @ 180 KIAS | 500 lb. @ 205 KIAS |
| HX-600 | 27.64 | 22 | 600 | 9.1 | 382 lb. @ 190 KIAS | 550 lb. @ 170 KIAS | 660 lb. @ 180 KIAS | 600 lb. @ 205 KIAS |
Note: The manufacturer's maximum recommended weight and speed limitations may be applied in the absence of any regulatory requirements (i.e. outside the USA). In the US, the FAA C23d limits must be used.
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Click here to view Design and Development of the HX-Series™ Canopies
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Each parachute and container configuration is customized to fit you in your aircraft.