ggdad1951 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 yah, proud to say that there is the rocket extraction hardware I designed.... https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152925054041336&pnref=story 4 Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 Pretty cool alright. Are many planes equipped with that parachute feature? Quote
plymouthcranbrook Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 I heard that something like 100 people have been saved by this device. I haven't been in a small plane in years but sure would feel safer in one with a whole plane chute. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Posted January 28, 2015 Cirrus is the only company that does it as "standard" equipment. It takes about 100 pounds of carrying capacity off the plane in general. The company that I used to work for (Ballistic Recovery Systems) does make chute packages for Cessna 170's and 180's. They also do bread and butter business in the ultralight aircraft industry. Man I LOVED that job! ROCKETS! AIRPLANES! EXPLOSIVES! PARACHUTES! AND I got PAID to make skydives! I think the save count is over 100 now. http://www.brsaerospace.com/brs_aviation_home.aspx 3 Quote
48Dodger Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 I read the save count was 240 back in 2009..... Nice work my friend! 48D Quote
pflaming Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 ggdad: Did you have to test your own parachute devices? PEDA wouldn't let you use an animal? Inquiring minds want to know. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Posted January 29, 2015 I was always going to try and jump one of the chutes I made out of (basically) Saran wrap and helically wrapped Kevlar thread, but never got a chance. That was for a NASA project, we had chutes that held up 2500 pounds made like that. But I did get to go to the drop zone and push crap out of planes and then jump out after. Mostly the loads were sand in bags, giant steel billets or water in barrels. 1 Quote
austinsailor Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 Isn't a 2400 mile trip over water in a single engine plane a bit risky? I wasn't aware that people flew single engine planes on trips like that. And people wonder when I sail my boat across open oceans. That seems like nothing compared to a small plane where if any one thing gives a problem you're toast. Quote
Todd B Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 Very cool Mark, I would think seeing that makes you very proud. Up until now I thought of you as the guy who introduced beer darts to me. I see there's much more. 1 Quote
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