What is the primary function of a pilot chute?

The primary function of a pilot chute is to initiate the opening of the main parachute by pulling the deployment bag out of the container. When a skydiver exits the aircraft, the pilot chute is deployed, which then catches air and creates drag. This drag generates enough force to extract the main parachute from its container, allowing it to unfold and deploy properly. The effectiveness of this initial deployment is crucial for a safe parachute opening and a successful jump.

Understanding this function is essential for jumpers, as it emphasizes the importance of the pilot chute in the overall parachute system. The other options present functions that are not accurate to what the pilot chute is designed to accomplish. For instance, while stability during freefall is important, it is the main parachute and the dynamics of the jump posture that primarily address stability. Similarly, controlling altitude during freefall is managed by the jumper's body position and not the pilot chute, and signaling other jumpers is typically done through visual or auditory cues rather than a specialized function of the pilot chute.