Cirrus is not my kind of plane but I congratulate them on the idea of the parachute.
It has saved quite a bit of people, no one can argue that, and some saves only the parachute would have done it (like a passenger pull with an incapacitated pilot).

Interesting read.


https://www.cirruspilots.org/copa/safet ... story.aspx

Will be interesting to watch the morph to other craft and eventual retro fits.

Whether you like Cirrus or not, you cannot argue against the fact that the chute sold planes and most likely saved lives.

There are really many instances where the chute is the most valuable safety feature / last resort that should be available to all pilots. Sadly, the latest Bonanza accident is a prime example.

The industry has been extremely slow to accept the chute.

In fact, the chute was even slow to be adopted by Cirrus drivers for many years as evidenced by the high fatality rates for many years until maybe 3 years ago, when a coordinated effort was advocated by COPA and Cirrus itself.

With over 6,000 planes in the fleet, the fatality rates of the past 3 years are simply amazing.

I loved the two A36 Bo's I have owned but when I move from my Baron back to a single it will be to a Cirrus. I have joined COPA and the numbers are clear that CAPS gives you a last resort option. I think the market has already spoken with the number of units Cirrus has sold compared to the other GA competitors. They will wake up one day because the market will demand it. But I really loved flying my A36 Bo's

BRS had mentioned a few years ago at OSH that they were moving towards retrofitting for certified aircraft..... They had a display with an RV10 retro that looked positive.....

Terry...when I sold my Baron I had intended to buy another Bonanza...then decided to first take a closer look at Cirrus. I'm now in my 4th year of SR22 ownership and have been very pleased with the aircraft itself and with also having the chute as another option in the toolkit.

They have an STC for 172/182. I saw a freshly installed system in a 172 last month.

They have an STC for 172/182. I saw a freshly installed system in a 172 last month.

Interesting to read the install manual. Even though it reads more like a "how it works" paper.

If you read the ntsb report on the Holly Springs 182, it turns out the mechanics turned the fuel selector OFF and the pilot took off with it that way. A good reminder to really follow the checklist, not just the items you usually do.

Larry, are you planning on adding this to your 182?

Its complicated for me, first the expense,then I will need to take the plane to get the install in the USA, then is the re certification every 10 years I think, and finally no more space for Mt bikes or surfborads on the plane.

But definitely will be nice to have over the jungle.

Something was wrong with the selector then. When I had my 182 I turned the fuel off to see how long it would run. At idle it went about 30 seconds, no way I could try take off like this.