"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
news:Jxvjc.42417$GR.5925024@attbi_s01...
I still have reservations about BRS, not because of the philosophy, but
I'm
not sure the engineers have all the bugs out of it. Any system that will
lower a disabled aircraft and its occupant(s) to the ground safely is a
very
good thing. The short history of the Cirrus BRS is very encouraging, at
least I haven't heard of any injuries to the passengers.

I know BRS has a long and exemplary record with ultralights but they are
slow and light and usually flown by the young and able. The idea of
hitting
the ground in a seated position at 20 FPS is disturbing to a 60 something
glider pilot. I know using a personal 'chute is just as problematic but I
would land with my legs under me. A broken leg is vastly better than a
broken back.

For now, personal 'chutes with egress aids like DG's NOAH look better to
me.
At least this idea could be retrofitted to an older glider. The 35 pounds
or so the BRS adds to the non-flying part of the glider bothers me too.

Bill Daniels
Bill,
I talked to the BRS people at the SSA convention a couple of years ago
regarding fitting one of their syatems to the Nimbus. They said no dice
because the energy absorption characteristics of the cockpit configuration,
descent rate, etc., etc., just wouldn't work.
Just as you said.
Streifeneder has been doing some certificatoin work in Germany on a retrofit
package for some ship but I do'nt remember the details. It looks like some
of the newer gliders may be taking the BRS sytem into account in in their
initial design now however.Too bad there's not an off the shelf retrofit
package.
Cheers!, Pete