On Friday, January 21, 2011 4:35:43 PM UTC-8, bildan wrote:
I'd be more impressed with BRS chutes if videos of the tests didn't
show the flight test guy jumping with his own personal 'chute after
the BRS deployment. It suggests he knows riding the darn thing down
isn't good for his health.

When's the last time you saw a live person (dummy?) testing an automotive airbag? They save lives and prevent major injury, but I sure wouldn't want to try one unless I *really* needed it.

As they say, the BRS will save the pilot's life, but the ride is likely to be bumpy. The glider will likely be sacrificed to soften the landing, so it might need some modifications to have some crush zones and some structure to prevent a long sharp object from penetrating the cockpit.

-Tom