Ballistic Parachute Deployment Cessna 182

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Anyone every heard of a deployment?

I do a lot of night flying around East Texas and other otherwise
"crappy" emergency landing spots.

The cost of installation is relatively cheap, considering the safety
aspect.

Any opinions?

Jamie A. Landers

PP-ASEL

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article . com>,
" > wrote:

> Anyone every heard of a deployment?
>
> I do a lot of night flying around East Texas and other otherwise
> "crappy" emergency landing spots.
>
> The cost of installation is relatively cheap, considering the safety
> aspect.
>
> Any opinions?
>
> Jamie A. Landers
>
> PP-ASEL

I don't think that it is that useful. It takes away about 75# of useful
load (12 gallons, or about 1 hour's fuel) of useful load, contains
pyrotechnics (additional fire hazard), requires periodic
repacking/replacement, bends the airplane if used -- to name a few
liabilities. I can remember when flares were required equipment for all
night commercial operations, but are now prohibited, because too many
accidentally deployed in hangars.

I would spend the extra money on maintenance, watch the weather better
(maybe invest in NEXRAD) and save the degraded useful load.

[TW]

wrote:
> Anyone every heard of a deployment?
>
> I do a lot of night flying around East Texas and other otherwise
> "crappy" emergency landing spots.
>
> The cost of installation is relatively cheap, considering the safety
> aspect.
>
> Any opinions?
>
> Jamie A. Landers
>
> PP-ASEL

[TW]

Not sure of the exact number of deployments and I am not sure of any on
the 182 series aircraft.
Having said that, there have been deployments on other types of
aircraft and the ones that were "successful" and by that I mean the
chute didn't leave the aircraft because they were deployed at too high
of speed, all the aircraft have been totaled and scrapped for parts.
If your insurance company is good to go with that plan then at what
price do you place on your life and those of your passengers?
It's priceless if the thing works and is deployed properly the one and
only time you ever need it.
If you are short on range and or payload because of it's installation,
well, you just have to weigh the benefits and see if it works for you.

As far as the carriage of the pyrotechnics required to deploy the unit
being a hazard to your safety, I wouldn't lose any sleep over that one.
We've been carrying flamable and potentially explosive materials on
these aircraft ( ever had a lead acid battery leak or start venting
into the cabin area?) and almost every transport category aircraft for
some many decades without a mishap that I don't think this even comes
into the equation regarding the purhase of the unit.
IMHO.

As for me, I wouldn't buy one but that's me. Your mileage may vary.

Lee Ellett
CFI-A&I AMEL
CGI - A&I
ATP - ASMEL
B727- B737 - DA-20, HS-125, G-159, G1159, G4, G5