> Design and Construction > Component Parts > Harness/Container > Pilot Chutes and Bridles for the Main and Reserve Parachutes

The pilot chute is a small parachute or similar device, which enters the airstream when released to act as a drag device and withdraw the canopy from the container. As such, it maintains tension on the canopy and lines during the deployment process. Pilot chutes are either springloaded or manually thrown into the airstream as a “hand deployed” pilot chute. Some military or emergency pilot chutes are ballistically deployed. A bridle is a piece of line or webbing that connects the canopy or deployment device to the pilot chute.