From the archive: Life-saving parachutes for airmen

From The Times, August 27, 1924
Little has been heard in this country about the use of parachutes as part of the normal equipment of Service, but in America a handy form of parachute has undoubtedly saved many lives.
Lieutenant Macready of the USA Air Service was returning to McCook Field from a night flight when his engine stopped. He was about 3,000ft up. “I loosened my safety belt,” he said, “and threw one leg over the side of the ship, keeping one hand on the control stick. Finally, I crawled out on to the wing and attempted to nose the ship up so I could leave without any danger of having the parachute catch. I let go the plane and let the wind blow me free. I decided to count two before I pulled the ripcord of the parachute so as not to foul the plane. I do not know whether I was upside down or not, but I heard the parachute open with a snap, and I knew I would land safely in some place.”
The sequel is not without an element of humour. A pedestrian heard a warning voice from nowhere shout “Hello! below. Hey! down there,” and, carrying on a conversation with people below him in the darkness, Lieutenant Macready found he had landed on the edge of a 100ft cliff without “a scratch or even a good bump”. Meanwhile his machine had crashed a hundred yards away and burst into flames.
While the spectators stood helpless, thinking of the pilot in the burning wreckage, Lieutenant Macready, to their amazement, strode into their midst from the surrounding darkness. Within a fortnight three pilots were saved through carrying parachutes.
This type of parachute has a small containing case, which the pilot can strap on his back or even use as a cushion for his seat, and its opening is not dependent upon it being fixed to the machine. So far these parachutes are not regulation for all aircraft, and in the air services of the Army, Navy, and Post Office Department their use is optional, though there is agitation for their compulsory fitment.
The British Air Ministry states that no decision has been reached on the use of parachutes, and that no information can be given. There have been several recent accidents where, without the parachute, the pilots had no chance of avoiding a crash and, as it proved, death. Had they had parachutes they would at least have had a sporting chance.
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