The Akavish arced dramatically to the west and was flying horizontally when the ejection charge fired.  The parachute deployed and the Akavish drifted slowly to the ground.

The pilot 'chute I added to ensure that the main 'chute would deploy didn't to help.  And it's shock cord wrapped around one of the rocket's legs.  So, I think the improvement I made in how the regular ejection system works was good, but the pilot 'chute isn't needed.