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First Cirrus Chute Replacements

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The 10-year anniversary of Cirrus's first airplane delivery marks the mandatory replacement interval for its certified Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
  • The CAPS system has been deployed 22 times, saving 44 lives, and is recognized as a major factor influencing purchase decisions for Cirrus aircraft.
  • Replacement costs are substantial, ranging from $8,682 for an overhauled system to $13,182 for a new one, plus 20-30 hours of labor depending on the aircraft's generation.
  • Cirrus has 24 specially certified service centers equipped to handle the hazardous materials involved, recommending owners schedule the service four weeks in advance.
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It has been a little more than 10 years since Cirrus Design Corp. delivered its first certified airplane, an SR20, to a customer. That 10-year mark is more than just an anniversary. It’s the certified interval for Cirrus owners to replace the chutes in their airplanes.

Chute replacement will become an important part of Cirrus’ overall business, since its service centers will be doing many hundreds of chute replacements a year for many years. Cirrus now owns the rocket design and rigs and packs the chutes, which BRS still produces.

Isabel Goyer

A commercial pilot, Isabel Goyer has been flying for more than 40 years, with hundreds of different aircraft in her logbook and thousands of hours. An award-winning aviation writer, photographer and editor, Ms. Goyer led teams at Sport Pilot, Air Progress and Flying before coming to Plane & Pilot in 2015.

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