Early Airplane Parachute Tests: Video 1

[jacwy]

Yes, Cirrus and BRS and others are using the same basic concpet today. Make you wonder how many other inventions are out there waiting to be re-discovered!

[jjc032681]

Wow that's awesome! I had no idea systems like that were being tested way back then.

[RoboTekno]

I really wish color HD cameras were invented just b4 the right brothers took flight. lol

[ncheriyan]

Agreed this won't save you from a crappy landing or take off, but enroute crashes in small planes can and should be avoided. Another system probably needed would be shock-absorbing, thick foam deployment around the fuselage in case of an eventful landing in uneven terrain. Combine that with the parachute, and we will have a winner.

[ncheriyan]

Its a shame FAA hasn't made it mandatory after all these years. It could have saved 100s (if not 1000s of lives). You have seatbelts and airbags for cars, life buoys and vests for boats, helmets for bikes...but nothing for planes.

I know someone whose friend's plane nose dived to the ground due to a structural failure (Breakage of wing) at high altitude, and he survived it because of BRS system.

GA pilots die more than others due to light planes severely affected by weather, so this is a must

[Postie218]

good point, I know a crop duster that shunted his plane into a small hill nose first. He said the air bags they are starting to put in CD'ers saved his bacon for sure.

[davidrodgersNJ]

@ncheriyan I'd leave the decision up to the buyer of the plane.