Ballistic Parachute for C42

gdbird · Post by **gdbird** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:39 pm

There is probably a thread on this, if so please redirect me to it.
Wondering about a shute on my C42 100 VLA, anybody done it? used it?
Any directional control once deployed. Seen the one on youtube where he clips the tow wire.
I know it wont help with stall on approach or go around and that its only affective above 80meters and below 260k/hr but I presume it is an advantage if the pilot is incapacitated – extreme pain, vision loss, balance, unconscious (with passenger), Failure - Structural, control lines, excessive turbulence, loss of C of G, Collision, caught in wake vortex, pilot error, unrecoverable spin, Fire, oil leak obscuring screen, Extreme weather conditions - complete whiteout, hail, lightening strike damage

I presume, if essential, it would be better to land using the parachute if forced to land on mountains, hills, scrub land, mashes, rough ground, woods, sand dunes and water.

I have had a look at Mick Farrows at Caernarfon - looks simple to install

gdbird · Post by **gdbird** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:00 pm

Checking with the LAA, it seems unbelievable that nobody has done this on an LAA type. Is anyone interested in progressing it with me?
I am really surprised it didnt get any discussion. The cost looks to be around £3K from Junkers. Seems a no brainer to me, what would a person give while tumbling to earth?

Aerosport UK were going to do the paperwork but they have gone now. It shouldnt be that hard as its a factory fit in Gmbh.

mike hurn · Post by **mike hurn** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:15 pm

http://www.afors.com/index.php?page=adv ... 731&imid=0

There is a complete kit for £1000 on link above

Cheers Mike

gdbird · Post by **gdbird** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:54 pm

Thanks for thinking of me. I gave him a call. Unfortunately its for a lighter plane and its also a few years old and an older model - so maybe not in this case. I think it will be easiest to get the factory fitted model.
Its interesting though, the BRS site says 240 odd lives have been saved - but how many of those might have landed ok. And that 28,000 have been sold so thats probably 0.5% have been used and saved a life.
Someone selling personal parachutes asked what happens if there is a fire - at least you can bail with your own chute - if you have enough height.

My insurance company views it as neutral.

It might by peace of mind, except one might worry about the rocket going off!
Ummm ... things are rarely simple