Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) is developing an emergency parachute system for the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. The whole-aircraft recovery system is fitted as standard on the recently certificated Cirrus Design SR20 four-seat piston single.
To fund development and certification, Minnesota-based BRS has launched an "initial pilot offering", aimed at enlisting refundable financial commitments from up to 40 Skyhawk operators.
"BRS has asked interested owners to deposit $2,500 in an interest-bearing account, with the promise that these investors will receive a de facto dividend of $1,500 towards the final $14,995 price of the system. So, those that pay the deposit will owe $10,995 when their 172 BRS parachute system is ready for delivery, some time within the next two years," says a source.
BRS has delivered over 15,000 emergency parachute systems in its 20-year history, with most sold in the hang-glider and microlight markets. The first general aviation device was approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration in 1993, for a Cessna 150/152.
Source: Flight International
