Puchaz spin - now wearing 'chutes

In article ,
Eric Greenwell wrote:
Mark James Boyd wrote:

Every SparrowHawk built has been fitted with a BRS. Every customer
has selected this option so far. We expect this to continue. Number
10 will fly in a couple of weeks and will have a BRS.
Regards
Greg Cole


Greg Cole!

bows down again and again, "we are not worthy" chanted...etc :-

Outstanding! It seems to make a TON of sense both from
the customer AND manufacturer perspective. I don't want
to take up to much of your time (you SHOULD be in the
shop building a twin-jet Sparrowhawk .

But did you use the 8" or 7" diameter systems?

While it would be more satisfying to get answers from Greg, he doesn't
routinely monitor the group, so I will attempt some answers.

I don't know the diameter of the system currently used, but diameter
doesn't seem to important to the pilot!

I talked to BRS and they said the 8" option was mostly so
folks could install an 8" of a certain weight rating, and
then switch to a higher "weight" canister later if
desired, without the diameter dimension changing...

Seems raesonable, since a higher "weight" rating I'd guess also
means "softer landing at a lower weight"

The BRS in the SparrowHawk is a BRS 900 soft pack. The large 'chute
is used because it allows a higher deployment speed. With a maximum
415 lb. glider on a 'chute made for up to 900 lbs., I would expect
descent rates to be slow.