history-index-19

1981, McCulloh decided the Manual 3-Ring Quick Release System should require parasailors to undergo a rigorous water survival training program like the military, with no guarantees that the person could safely evacuate. Considering his options, McCulloh chose to proceed with the development a Floating Harness Gondola concept as the next generation passenger support that did not require: a) special training; or b) seat belt restraints or straps. The most important feature were custom parasail release clips that disconnect the parasail canopy from the structure connecting points, when the support bar rotated forward after a emergency water landing. After studying the hazards of the parasail harness system and the inherent design flaw that prevents easy evacuation or separation from the parasail during an unexpected emergency water landing and in and effort to avoid a repeat of the 1977 accident when a passenger almost drown because the parasail sank within seconds due to wave action and under current, McCullohs started a new mission called “safety first”, developing several concepts that included the reconfiguration of the; 1. Manual 3-Ring Quick Release System similar to what is used in skydiving to eject the main parachute to deploy the reserve. In this case, the release of the parasail itself; or 2. The “Floating Harness Gondola”, a concept that would not only allow effortless evacuation during water landings in any wind or sea condition, but automatically disconnect a runaway Parasail using custom release clips.