Hang-glider Mayday Rescue Parachute
One Day, Maybe, Mayday…
The Time-Proven Rescue System (since 1984)
Never fly without one!
Info
Saved Pilots
The Apco Mayday Reserve Parachute Series are available for hang-glider pilots. This includes all three versions of the classic mayday (Regular, Light and Superlight), and the Mayday SQ – Light Square Parachute).
We have upgraded our long bridle, to a double dyneema bridle, offering lighter weight and lower bulk, with higher strength.
The Light Dyneema Bridle can be assembled onto all but the tandem and UL-28 Reserves (These are supplied with specific bridles).
Assembly is simple, using a larks-head knot, and the bridle ends are protected with Teflon sheaths, preventing melting of the bridle due to friction in case of a shock opening.
| Mayday | MD SQ | MD 16 | MD 18 | MD 20 | MD Bi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Square Parachute | PDA - (Pulled Down Apex / Inverted Apex Round Parachute | |||
| Area [m2] | 25 | 23 | 30.4 | 37 | 48 |
| Gores | N/A | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 |
| Weight [kg]** | 1,010 | 1.890 | 2.220 | 2.690 | 3.250 |
| Packed Volume [cc] | 3000 | 4000 | 4950 | 5400 | 6100 |
| Packed Size [cm] Length x Width x Height | 20.0 x 19.0 x 8.0 | 28.5x23.0x14.0 | 32.0x22.5x15.0 | 32.0x23.0x13.0 | 33.5x27.0x13.5 |
| Max Load[kg] | 120 | 106 | 120 | 160 | 200 |
| Sink Rate m/sec* | 5.4 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Stability (1 - 5) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Gr. per kg. load | 9.16 | 17.83 | 18.5 | 16.85 | 16.25 |
| Canopy Material | PN9 | PN4 | PN4 | PN4 | PN4 |
| Lines | Dyneema | Nylon 180kg | Nylon 180kg | Nylon 180kg | Nylon 180kg |
| Bridle Type | Short Dyneema | Short Dyneema | Short Dyneema | Short Dyneema | Long Double Bridle to connect to Spreaders |
| Compatible with Light Hang Glider Reserve Bridle (43006) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (Instead order 43002L) |
| Certification | EN | DHV | SHV | AFNOR/CEN | AFNOR |
| * As measured by Air Turquoise test laboratory Stability rating by Air Turquoise (1 bad - 5 excellent) |
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| ** Excludes weight of long bridle on Hang-glider version. Add 550gr for bridle |
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| Packed Size vs. Volume: The volume is measured by water displacement, and represents the smallest recommended packed volume, or the volume of the smallest recommended container to be used for the reserve. The specified volume is therefore far lower than the calculated volume that would be derived from the specified measurements. The Packed Size measurement represents the measurements of the factory packed, but not compressed reserve, ie. the max dimension for each axis, and in its specified deployment bag, as shipped from apco. |
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Over the years the basic design and construction techniques have remained the same – there is not much to improve on a winning design and best seller as Mayday, even though it is continuously perfected and polished, insuring that it is updated on even the smallest details. All four of the of Mayday parachutes are “Flat Circular Pulled Down Apex” in design. In 1998 the Mayday Bi was released in a Pulled down Apex version, and soon after the Mayday 20 hit the market.
The Mayday boasts superior construction and materials. The canopy cloth is F111 “zero porosity” ripstop nylon. The skirt and apex skirt is reinforced with 1’mil spec nylon tape, neatly wrapped and stiched with a precision four-needle machine. The line attachments have V-Tab reinforcements, sewn in place with a computerized machine, ensuring consistantly high quality and strength.
The Bridle is made from 6000 pound Nylon Webbing (UV Resistant). The attachment loop is covered with a Teflon sheath, to protect it from dangerous friction which may occur during deployment. Finally the bridle has a line sheath attached, to protect the lines where they link to it.
MSM – stands for Military Spec Monkey and confirms that our reserves are made from fabrics, designed and manufactured in accordance to the strictest Military Specifications. This adds another level of quality assurance.
The Mayday has been compared for a long time with some other rescue systems, but according to the findings of the Italian Free Flight Federation (FIVL), it still comes out on top. A series of tests, made from a fixed balloon in November 1997, attended amoungst others by Swiss Federation expert Alain Zoller. Over 20 modern reserve systems were tested.
Many vital properties of an emergency parachute were assessed, such as opening speed at high and low velocity, sink rate and stability during descent. The Mayday 16 was the second smallest parachute on test and yet it consistently performed at the top even in sink rate and stability. The only systems with a better sink rate were; 31.7m2, 34.1m2 and 43.4m2, all at least 10m2 larger than the Mayday’s 22.1m2 and in the case of the Trekking F22 at 43.3m2 nearly twice as big. The Mayday is a pulled down apex reserve parachute, which possesses the one thing that wasn’t tested – reliability. But over the years the reliability of the system has been well proven. Anatoly Cohn recalls that the system has saved hundreds of pilots around the world. At a time when trends and gimmicks regularly come and go the Mayday has been saving pilots since 1984. What other system can boast a fact like that?
INCLUDED:
Each MayDay reserve parachute is supplied in a kitbag. Which is a useful to keep other equipment in once your mayday is installed in your harness.
Options & Accessories
43006: Light Hang Glider Reserve Bridle
162.00$Light Hangglider Reserve Bridle :: Code 43006
- Weight: 190 [gr] +/-10%
- Length: 6 [m]
- Suitable for Mayday 16/18/20 Classic, Light (LT) or Superlight (SLT)
- Rated to more than 2,500 [kg]
43122F: Maillon no.6 – Zink plated Steel – Certified breaking load of 2000[Kg]
13.00$Steel Plated RAPIDE MAILLON NO:6
For connection of Y-shaped bridle to the harness
MBL 2,000kg
44120T: Deployment Bag (Regular)
Mayday deployment bag for use inside PG harness with integral reserve container.
Compatible with MD 16 and 18 (Classic version not LT or SLT)
Repack
Product Codes
Mayday 16
- 81101A: Folded in deployment bag 44120T
- 43006: Hanggliding (HG) Extension Bridle, 6m Length, 12mm Dyneema (required for HG)
Mayday 18
- 82101A: Folded in deployment bag 44120T
- 43006: Hanggliding (HG) Extension Bridle, 6m Length, 12mm Dyneema (required for HG)
Mayday HG 20
- 83101A: Folded in deployment bag 44120T
- 43006: Hanggliding (HG) Extension Bridle, 6m Length, 12mm Dyneema (required for HG)
Mayday HG Bi (Tandem)
- 81976: Folded in deployment bag 44120
- 43002L: Hanggliding (HG) Extension Bridle, 6m Length, 25mm Polyester (required for Bi HG)
| Mayday | Area [m2] | Gores | Weight* [kg] | Volume [cc] | Packed Size [cm] Length x Width x Height | Sink Rate [m/s] (@ max Load) | Max Load [kg] | gr / kg (Load)*** | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayday Square | 25 | 16 | 1.010 | 3000 | 20.0x19.0x7.0 | 5.4 @100 Kg 5.72 @120 Kg | 120 | 9.16 | EN/LTF Certification - 100kg EN Load/Drop test - 120 kg |
| MD 16 SLT Super Light Round | 23 | 16 | 1.220 | 3100 | 24.5x18.5x11.5 | 6.15 | 100 | 12.20 | EN Load/Drop Test by Air Turquoise |
| MD 16 LT Light Round | 23 | 16 | 1.490 | 3550 | 27.0x21.0x10.0 | 6.15 | 100 | 14.90 | EN Load/Drop Test by Air Turquoise |
| MD 16 Regular Round | 23 | 16 | 1.890 | 4000 | 28.5x23.0x14.0 | 6.3 | 106 | 17.83 | DHV GS-02-0004-88 |
| MD 18 SLT Super Light Round | 30.4 | 18 | 1.597 | 3950 | 28.5x22.5x12.0 | 5.1** | 115 | 13.89 | EN Certification EP021.2009 |
| MD 18 LT Light Round | 30.4 | 18 | 1.922 | 4800 | 31.0x22.5x13.0 | 5.1 | 120 | 15.6 | LTF RG 061.2012 |
| MD 18 Regular Round | 30.4 | 18 | 2.220 | 4950 | 32.0x22.5x15.0 | 5.4 | 120 | 18.50 | SHV PS0992.003 |
| MD 20 SLT Super Light Round | 37.5 | 20 | 2.083 | 4750 | 31.0x22.0x12.5 | 4.48** | 130 | 14.80 | EN Certification E.P022.2009 |
| MD 20 LT Light Round | 37.5 | 20 | 2.300 | 5000 | 32.0x23.0x12.5 | 4.48** | 140 | 16.43 | EN Certification EP056.2012 |
| MD 20 Regular Round | 37.5 | 20 | 2.690 | 5400 | 32.0x23.0x13 | 5.4 | 160 | 16.85 | AFNOR/CEN 200143AP |
| GMD SLT Superlight Rogallo | 36 | 16 | 1.950 | 5000 | 30.5x22.0x13.5 | 4 m/s@(90kg) 4.9m/s@(130Kg) | 60-130 | 15.00 | EN Certification EP057.2012 |
| GMD Steerable Rogallo | 39 | 16 | 2.900 | 5950 | 33.0x24.0x15.5 | 2.8 m/s@(90kg) 3.2m/s@(130Kg) | 60-130 | 22.31 | EN Certification EP009.2007 |
| MD Bi Round Tandem Reserve | 47 | 18 | 3.250 | 6100 | 33.5x27.0x13.5 | 5.4 | 200 | 16.25 | AFNOR PS98228AP |
| MD 28UL High Capacity Round Reserve for Trikes | 64 | 28 | 4.000 | 12600 | 37.0x23.0x20.0 | 6.3 | 340 | 11.76 | EN Load test 12491:2001 |
| Packed Size vs. Volume: | |||||||||
 | The volume is measured by water displacement, and represents the smallest recommended packed volume, or the volume of the smallest recommended container to be used for the reserve. The specified volume is therefore far lower than the calculated volume that would be derived from the specified measurements. The Packed Size measurement represents the measurements of the factory packed, but not compressed reserve, ie. the max dimension for each axis, and in its specified deployment bag, as shipped from apco. |
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| * Weight Excludes weight of optional long bridle for Hang-glider version: Add 190gr for Hanggliding (HG) Extension Bridle (Code: 43006), or Add 550gr for MD Bi HG Bridle (Code: 43002L) |
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| ** Sink Rate as measured by Air Turquoise test laboratory Stability rating by Air Turquoise (1 bad - 5 excellent) |
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| *** Gram per [Kg] Load This is a unit that makes it easy to compare Reserves. The unit is calculated by dividing the weight of the reserve, by its max load rating. The lower the number, the lighter the reserve is for its carrying capacity. |
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42485: MayDay Presentation Bag
Each MayDay reserve parachute will be supplied in the new “Presentation gift bag” external package. This is a small aesthetic upgrade, a nice addition and gift for the pilot.
Use this bag for your instruments, shoes, as a shower bag, as a lunch box, or whatever you like and be reassured your life is in good hands.
Mayday Prices remain unchanged 😉
FEATURES
-
- Looks great
- Extremely useful
- Made from light materials
- Detachable carry-strap, can also be used to buckle up folded wing.
- Designated, clear-cover slot for owner’s details card.
- Owner’s details card included. Just fill up and slide in.
