Figure 3-40. Pontoon system. and second, to provide enough extra thrust to overcome the  additional drag of the boat or pontoons in the air for fl ight.  WSC aircraft are typically equipped with a 12-volt direct  current (DC) electrical system. A basic WSC aircraft  electrical system consists of a magneto/generator, voltage  regulator, battery, master/battery switch, and associated  electrical wiring. Electrical energy stored in a battery provides  a source of electrical power for starting the engine and other  electrical loads for the WSC aircraft.  The electrical system is typically turned on or off with a  master switch. Turning the master switch to the on position  provides electrical energy from the battery to all the electrical  equipment circuits with the exception of the ignition system.  Equipment that commonly uses the electrical system energy  includes:  Fuses or circuit breakers are used in the electrical system to  protect the circuits and equipment from electrical overload.  The ballistic parachute canister can be mounted in a number  of locations on the WSC, typically on the carriage pointed  sideways to avoid entanglement with the propeller. The  actuation handle is mounted in the flight deck for pilot use  when needed.  [Figures 3-41  and  3-42] The preferred point of attachment for the parachute is on top  of the wing at the hang point. This allows the WSC aircraft  to descend level and land on the wheels, helping to absorb  the shock. This requires routing from the chute to the top of  the wing with “O” rings to be able to remove this routing to  easily take the wing off the carriage. Alternate attach points  where there is no routing to the top of the wing are the mast  and engine attachment points; however, this has the WSC  aircraft descending nose down when activated.  When the system is activated, a rocket shoots out, pulling the  parachute system to full line stretch, and forcing the parachute  out and away from the carriage and wing.  An additional safety system available is a ballistic parachute  system. In the case of a structural failure because of a mid-air  collision or an engine out over hostile terrain such as a forest,  the ballistic parachute provides an added safety system. The  parachute is sized so that when used, the complete aircraft  comes down under canopy. Details of ballistic parachute  system use are covered in more detail in Chapter 13,  Abnormal and Emergency Operations. An ammeter may be used to monitor the performance of  the electrical system. The ammeter shows if the magneto/ generator is producing an adequate supply of electrical power.  It also indicates whether or not the battery is receiving an  electrical charge. A voltage meter also provides electrical  information about battery voltage, an additional status of  the electrical system.  Spare fuses of the proper amperage should be carried in the  WSC aircraft to replace defective or blown fuses. Circuit  breakers have the same function as a fuse but can be manually  reset, rather than replaced, if an overload condition occurs in  the electrical system. Placards at the fuse or circuit breaker  panel identify the circuit by name and show the amperage  limit.   Ballistic Parachute   Electrical Systems • Position lights • Anticollision lights • Instrument lights • Radio equipment • Navigation equipment • Electronic instrumentation •  Electric fuel pump • Starting motor •  Electric heating systems (gloves, socks, pants, vests,  jackets, etc.) 3-15