Why are parachutes so colorful?

Question

After parasailing earlier today, I was simply curious why there are no neuteral colored or patterened parachutes. Does it make you more visible to other aircraft?

Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

I'm a skydiver and I have a black, purple and neon green parachute for my main canopy and my reserve is white.  there is no reason to have a colored parachute other than they can be personalized colors so your friends on the ground and in the air can tell where you are.  The bright colors don't really help other aircraft see you.  we jump during the day and if you make a night jump you have to wear a strobe.  I've made the night jumps and you can't see the parachute above your own head.  during the day you can see a white canopy as well as a black one.  The sky blue canopies are annoying though.

For most people the colors are for them or to advertise a sponsor or just the stock colors from the manufacturer.

Answer 2

Yup, for visibility. They are neutral for covert stuff like military uses, but otherwise you want to be found if you have to use a parachute (in emergency cases).