Larry Williams, CEO of BRS Aerospace, said at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday that the parachute system his company is designing for the new Flight Design C4 four-seat airplane will be the first with an electronic ignition system. “The advantage will be ease of use and reliability,” he said. It also may be possible to design the system so it can self-activate in the event of pilot incapacitation. His company is working on research projects to develop parachute systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, he said, so he expects those results could transfer to GA airplanes. He is also working with Kestrel Aircraft to develop a parachute for their big turboprop. “The size and speed are a challenge, but it can be done,” Williams said.
Asked for more details about the electronic-ignition system, Williams said it would replace the current pull-handle activation with a button for the pilot to press. Instead of pulling a handle, which pulls a cable and springs that activate the rocket-launching mechanism, the electronic system would simply send an electronic signal to a squib, which would ignite the explosive. Battery backup would ensure that it would operate even if the electrical system fails. Exactly where to place the button and ensure that it couldn’t be accidentally deployed is still under discussion. Williams also said his company has grown despite the economic downturn because they are producing thousands of cargo parachutes for the military. Those contracts help BRS to thrive as a business, he said, but he has no intention of abandoning the aviation market.
