BRS for RV-12

Flying Griff · #1 11-11-2013, 08:48 AM

Like investing, everyone?s risk tolerance is different but the idea of a BRS system has merit to me. My post is not about the pros and cons of airframe parachute systems. A lot of the issues were reviewed in the Sept 2013 edition of Aviation Consumer. I have had several conversations with Vans and it is clear this is low on their priority list. Although different to mine, I understand their point of view. With that in mind, I have hired an aeronautical engineer to design attachment points for a BRS system in my own RV12, even though it will impact the aircraft weight and appearance.

His preliminary feasibility study proposes a staged development plan. It is likely the first stages alone, based upon computer design, simulation and analysis followed by review with BRS, will satisfy my own needs. The plan could be ?commercialised? with detailed documentation and additional ?live? structural testing. In recent discussions about the RV7-9 BRS installation, the latter has been a topic of interest. However, the cost of the project would be substantially magnified. To go down that path would require a reasonable expectation of partial cost recovery, based upon selling the plans to other RV12 builders.

So the aim of my VAF post is to gauge how much interest there is in a BRS system for the RV12. I would ?ballpark? a reasonable cost estimate for an attachment system plan to be about $1500. As I?m not aiming for profit, greater interest means lower cost. Note the purchase of the actual parachute system from BRS would be additional to this.

If you are interested, please reply to the post or email me at flyinggriff at rogers dot com.
I?d also welcome any suggestions on how to reach out to RV12 builders that don?t read VAF.

Cirrus Man · #2 11-11-2013, 06:16 PM

I would be happy to spend $1,500 for a ballistic Parachute for my RV-12

Bill_H · #3 11-11-2013, 07:19 PM

Facebook has several RV related groups, including one for RV12 builders, easily found. Google will also lead you to other RV web sites. You can also search FAA records and do direct mail.

pierre smith · #4 11-12-2013, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirrus Man

I would be happy to spend $1,500 for a ballistic Parachute for my RV-12

Re-read his post. That cost is only for the attachment system.

Best,

RFSchaller · #5 11-12-2013, 01:54 PM

It seems like the gas tank would be an issue either with a rocket motor going off in proximity to it or from possible damage when the lanyard deploys.

Cirrus Man · #6 11-13-2013, 12:44 PM

Does anyone have an estimate for a COMPLETE BSR installation for the RV-12 ??

Bill_H · #7 11-13-2013, 01:34 PM

Sure! I'll estimate ~$13,000-$15,000! Could be more, bet its not less. Then $10,000 every few years to replace the rocket. Is there trade-in value of the "stale" rocket or do you just take it out and set it off for 4th of July?

RFSchaller · #8 11-13-2013, 02:40 PM

I think the estimate is high. My Aventura HP BRS 1050 cost about $4800. The pack was good for 5 years, and a repack was about $1100 as I recall.

Bill_H · #9 11-13-2013, 03:06 PM

The Aventura HP has a gross weight of 545 pounds. Won't be the same rocket or chute as one for an RV. Should be a lot closer to the Cirrus BRS, which several magazines mention as $9,000-$10,000 a pop. I think my WAG is not so bad.

RFSchaller · #10 11-13-2013, 03:20 PM

Bill,

I doubt any HP was ever built with an EMPTY weight less than 600lbs in spite of what the company said. My empty weight was about 650. Aventura actually had two sets of weight and balance data, and neither was reliable.

Aircraft Spruce lists the BRS 1350 at $5100 or $7100 (soft pack vs. canister) which includes a lanyard, so even allowing $1000 for a custom mounting a builder should be able to install a unit for $6K to $8K.