How It Works: BRS Aircraft Parachute

Bethany Whitfield

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 11:16 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

BRS parachutes have demonstrated effective deployment at altitudes as low as 260 feet and speeds up to 187 knots, but the manufacturer encourages early deployment (e.g., 2,000 feet) for optimal safety.
The system is activated by a single pull, initiating a complex sequence where a rocket motor rapidly propels the parachute, which then fully inflates after the aircraft slows to a safe speed.
Upon deployment, occupants experience a significant "opening shock" of 3 to 7 Gs, followed by a controlled descent under the parachute, typically at 15 to 28 feet per second.

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According to BRS, tests have shown that its parachutes can be pulled and still fully inflate at altitudes as low as 260 feet and speeds as high as 187 knots. Individual pilots have testified that they successfully deployed their chutes below 100 feet. BRS does not provide a specific minimum-altitude limitation (Cirrus recommends a minimum deployment height of 580 feet in the latest-generation SR22), but that doesn’t mean pilots should wait to pull the handle. For your best chance at a safe, injury-free landing, BRS encourages pilots experiencing midair emergencies to pull the chute sooner rather than later, with a 2,000-foot deployment height being the norm.