Going Ballistic...Again
Words: SportPilot Team
Gone Ballistic” from SportPilot Issue 100 created a wave of comments regarding ballistic parachute recovery systems (BPRS). Paul Saccani questioned if the pilot would have continued flying if he did not have the BPRS option. Some respondents wondered if a BPRS contributes to some incidents that could be avoided, whilst others compare it to seatbelts and airbags in a car.
Given the available paddocks surrounding the crash site in Gone Ballistic, a few of our readers asked why the pilot didn’t attempt the landing. Cirrus reportedly train pilots to pull the lever immediately, if in doubt of a safe landing - That changes things. The chute isn’t the last resort, but becomes one of the first.
Bryn Lockie from Leading Edge Aviation, whom specialises in BPRS, said “Sadly I know of some highly skilled, cautious pilots who might still be here if they had the option to pull a handle.” Paul wasn’t the only one to make this comment.
One of our readers stated “I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it”.
What do you think? Let us know: editor@sportpilot.net.au
Want more? Take a look at Paul Bertorelli’s video, ‘Are planes with parachutes really safer?’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT58pzY41wA