john smith wrote in
news:jsmith-D8F282.18555023042006@network-065-024-007-
027.columbus.rr.com:

In article ,
Judah wrote:

The biggest safety innovation in GA aircraft over the last 50 years
is the Cirrus Parachute,

It is not a CIRRUS parachute, it is a Ballistic Recovery Systems(BRS)
parachute. BRS has parachutes already designed and certified for
different makes/models of certified aircraft.

True, but let's look deeper...

If you want to buy a BRS Parachute System for an Ultralight Aircraft,
thereby not requiring certification or FAA approval, you can buy one
for
as little as $2,200. As you watch the price increase, the price
difference from a 600lb model to an 1800lb model is about equal to
(just
slightly higher than) the increase in weight - about 300%.

Now go from that to the Cessna models, which run $16k and $17k...

2250lbs / 600lbs = 375%, but $15,995 / $2,495 = 640%!
3100lbs / 1050lbs = 295%, but $16,995 / $3,495 = 486%!
3100lbs / 1600lbs = 194%, but $16,995 / $4,095 = 415%!

Basically, the ratios are nearly double for certified systems.

Now why do you think that is? Do you think it's because the systems are
safer when they are put on a Cessna, or do you think it's because of
the
cost of all the red tape required to get the thing certified by the
FAA?


Frankly, I think the BRS is about the only innovative safety system out
there, and it's obvious why...