A red streamer installed on a back-style parachute indicates it has what kind of feature?

A red streamer installed on a back-style parachute indicates that it has a one-second automatic ripcord release time delay device. This feature is designed to allow a brief period after the parachute is deployed for the jumper to stabilize and ensure that the parachute opens correctly without prematurely releasing the parachutist from the primary harness.

The presence of the red streamer serves as a visual identifier for this safety mechanism, alerting the user to its specific function. Properly understanding this feature is crucial for jumpers and aircrew, as it directly impacts their safety protocols during jump operations. Recognizing that the automatic ripcord release feature involves a timed delay ensures that parachutists can make more informed decisions during jumps, particularly in variable conditions.

The absence of a built-in altimeter or a manual release system indicated by a streamer makes it clear that those features do not apply in this context. Similarly, the emergency flotation device would not be associated with the color and function of a streamer on a parachute designed for other purposes.