I don't have an answer for the weight question other than it would be my belief to be a substantial weight penalty to the point of not being practical. However, that is not the key problem to overcome. There would have to be some substantial engineering analysis to work out in order to install a whole airplane parachute system. Keep in mind, in the case of Cirrus, they have the parachute cables embedded into the composite skin of the aircraft. The attach points are fore and aft of the center of gravity. When deployed the cables rip through the skins until the cables are free from the confines and support the airplane via the hard attach points. That is an entire design process someone would have to work out if setting up a similar system in an RV. Something I most certainly would not be comfortable doing on my own. Even with expert assistance I would want some serious testing that would involve an awful lot more of . . . well, everything (money, effort, time, experience) that I do not have.Looking at a used RV9A. Wanting to know if anyone has placed a BRS parachute in their 9 or 7? Looking at weight and balance and how much weight is lost. Thanks!!
A couple of thoughts on installing a BRS in an RV, any RV. "...The -9(A) can fly so slow, if you have a problem, trim it for best glide, and unless you hit a wall, you "should" be OK."
thread drift. the glare shield edge should make us aware of danger. this may not be the final solution but it may help. a hard round shape. an idea stolen from Kevin Horton.
I am building a 7A with a chute, should be flying this week. I have a IO390 so not too worried about the extra weight in the back. Hit my up with questions.
I just completed the install of a BRS chute in my 7A. It does take time and you MUST be great with fiberglass. BRS sent me fairing that looked like a 6 year old molded them. Getting it ready for paint was the hardest part of the job. The rest is like 15 to 20 hours worth of work.
1 year ago I installed a 140 sqm Galaxy parachute in my RV7A. So far I flew 80h (including 6g aerobatics) with no issues. Externally the plane is no different from any other rv7a, which, along with CG balance, was the main reason NOT to go for the BRS kit (I even met in person BRS CEO to convince him to change his design before deciding to invent one myself!). I designed the installation myself with the help of Galaxy CEO who flew over to physically witness the installation. The installation is just behind the firewall, on the passenger side. It deploys upward in front of the windshield. The 4 main cables are attached: 2 to the engine mount, and 2 to the rear spar. To reach the rear spar they come out from the plastic engine cowl from the bottom and immediately enter the front part of the wing root fairing. These 4 cables are made of steel, to withstand an engine fire.
A picture of the installation (that's all is visible as difference with any other RV7A):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xeaSMKYjBwfUjBcG6
Ideally it should deploy like this:
https://youtu.be/xwZrtYgnP7s