Hello All:
Firstly Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a safe and happy New
Year.
I have been following the discussions regarding the parachute and jumping
out of planes. I'm hoping my two cents will add another perspective to the
thoughts presented.When I first received my kit, adding a BRS was something
I considered doing, knowing I would have to redesign and make structural
alterations for the fit of the chute myself. After discussions with BRS and
Cirrus reps., I decided it was a task beyond my scope. The Cirrus breakaway
system, ie., the means by which the chute leaves the "channel" that the
shrouds and lines rest in, is a complex structure. I saw a chute before it
was hidden from view, and it was clear that alot of money, testing and
re-testing went into the final product...not practical for me as I only
have, and plan to have, one hull to play with. Is it impossible? Certainly
not, but before I was about to turn this endeavour into an experiment, I had
decided the old fashioned way would have to do. Jumping out is the last
thing you want to do, but in certain situations it may be your last
plausible means to save yourself. I have jumped out of several types, round
and square airfoils, as part of my military training in the F-16, and some
recreational jumps out of Cubs, Cessnas, Otters, etc., and what I have seen
is, a planned evacuation, even under optimal conditions can go wrong
quickly. Can you remember the last time you tried to get into a Cub? It
wasn't easy for sure, especially if you are new to it...now try getting out
with a full harness, from the back seat. Of course every plane is different,
and on that occasion, conditions were optimal, the attitude was upright,
speed slow, and a fairly big door, with a pilot in control. Cessnas are
better but also pose their own set of circumstances. The bigger, the easier
the egress is. I don't have a flying Europa to jump out of yet, but have
flown in several. And one thing I noticed was the relative ease getting in,
but afterwards, in the seating position that we all occupy, it is not that
easy to move. It was one thing I liked about the Europa to begin with, but
because it was rather restricted, I knew it would be a bailing out issue if
I were ever in that situation. Getting out wouldn't be impossible, just
difficult, especially fighting the effects gravity now has when your
attitude is not optimal, and you don't have a pilot holding her steady for
the egress. There's one factor that I cannot account for and that's the
adrenalin factor for when there's a real sitaution...it's not one you can
simulate very well. I'm sure it would add some extra motivation to get out,
but it's not something anyone can unilaterally say will get you out. Bare in
mind, as adrenalin goes up, your cognitive and rational thought process
decreases, which is why some people may say, "whatever made me do or say
that?" Whatever the situation and risk involved, we have chosen a pastime
that has grave inherent risks, balanced off by the many great experiences it
also carries. It's clear a BRS could save you in a dire sitaution, but from
a realistic perspective, a personal parachute seems the best solution, and
even then there are inherent risks in getting out. An egress that was
described in an earlier post made it sound so easy, get out of the cockpit,
straddle the rail and climb out onto the wing and either slip off the end or
out toward the tip... that's alot to bite off in the real world, under a
life or death scenario. With that said, I would likely wear my personal
chute for the early phases of flight, but there comes a time when you should
leave the thing on the ground. It's not my intent to oppose a view or
suggest what I feel is the only right thing to do, what I would suggest is
know YOUR plane and your personal limitations and plan accordingly. You may
find a chute is for you or not. One day when we have a BRS tested and
mounted, life will be simple again. If I can suggest anything, practice
emergency procedures until they are habitual, know your own plane as if it
were your child, and don't be complacent with anything. It may not have you
covered 100% all the time, but this is flying..pilots die with ejection
seats too.
Myron A046 XS monowheel
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