How can you determine if a pilot chute going over the front of the canopy indicates a malfunction?

To determine if a pilot chute going over the front of the canopy indicates a malfunction, the best indicator is related to how the canopy behaves. If the canopy flares and turns correctly after the pilot chute has gone over the front, it suggests that the deployment was successful and that the parachute is functioning as intended, allowing for a safe landing.

Understanding canopy behavior is essential in skydiving, as a well-deployed parachute will handle predictably. If the parachute remains stable, with no significant degradation in performance, it indicates that the deployment process was relatively normal. Recognizing the characteristics of a correctly functioning canopy is vital for a skydiver’s safety and ability to assess their situation during descent.