Parachutes for planes
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (341752)
Rockingham, Australia
December 10, 2020 12:44am CST
My husband, Vince, is interested in many things. Whenever a plane went over the house, he used to rush outside to try to identify it. So, when I hear a plane, I say ‘quick, there’s a plane. Hurry up. You’re going to miss it’. However, he refuses to go out now but looks it up on some program or other that is on his computer. This gives him the exact plane that is overhead.
The other day, a Cirrus SR22 went over and, of course, Vince researched it. It is a popular plane, very fast for its type and the best-selling composite general aviation aircraft since 2003. It has a non-retractable undercarriage.
But what was news to me – and may not be news to you – is that it is equipped with a whole-plane emergency recovery parachute system: the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).
When or if the plane gets into trouble, the push of a button sees a rocket-launched parachute explode above the plane which helps it come down in a more gentle manner. Since September 2018, the SR series has been operated 79 times resulting in the survival of 163 passengers who would have otherwise died.
Another interesting fact is that, in September 2013, 19-year-old Australian, Ryan Campbell, flew solo round the world in an SR22. Three seats were removed to enable the fitting of an extra fuel tank.
While I don’t wish anyone any harm, I would love to see a plane drifting down through the heavens supported by a giant parachute.
The photo is of acrobatic planes in Perth, Western Australia.
30 people like this
27 responses
@Fleura (30539)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 20
I had to look up a Cirrus SR22 - that's a nice little plane. And it's made in Duluth, MN.
Never heard of a parachute system like that before but it seems like a great idea. It's just a bit concerning that the parachute needed to be deployed 79 times!
4 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
10 Dec 20
Those are interesting facts you shared.
Never really thought that there are parachutes for planes.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
10 Dec 20
@JudyEv I will be going to YouTube to look if there are videos of this. Curious as to how it works and what it looks like in action.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec 20
@allen0187 If you have any luck, let me know. They might have videoed any tryouts of the parachute I guess.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
10 Dec 20
so mr. vince's some wizardry with that puter, eh? most fascinatin', but not's much's that parachute. marvelous 'nvention which begs the query - why aint all 'quipped with such?
mr. campbell 'twas a most ambitious young'un, eh? i hope he continues with such passions 'n does great good'n the world.
like yerself, i'd not wish harm'n anyone, but'd sure like to see such a wonder.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
11 Dec 20
@JudyEv out here, that'd be all we've got, lol. i think the largest seats 12? could be'n err, 'tis been a long time since i 'twas forced to fly. will say i prefer the lil'uns o'er the big'uns.
most interestin', may jest check that out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec 20
I guess they are only feasible with smaller type planes but what a good idea.
If you key in 'flight radar 24' maybe you could watch the planes too. Vin can track rescue helicopters and water bombers when there is an accident or bushfire. I think it works for other planes as well.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Dec 20
@crazyhorseladycx I prefer the big ones. They seem safer to me for some reason.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
10 Dec 20
It is the first time I hear of this kind of plane.If so,the air disasters would be averted to a large extent.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
10 Dec 20
You mean to say that Vince has a computer program that identifies a plane in the sky outside so that he does not have to go out and look?
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
14 Dec 20
@JudyEv Well I never!! I am amazed stunned even thanks Judy
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
14 Dec 20
@JudyEv I did its fascinating Judy so cool
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 20
@RebeccasFarm You're welcome. I'm guessing you had a look at it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Dec 20
I have wondered for years why they don't have parachutes for all planes. If they can bring down rockets from space with giant parachutes, why can't they do the same for big jumbo jets?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Dec 20
@JudyEv I'm sure there is so much more they can do to improve safety, but nobody wants to spend all the money necessary to save more lives.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 20
@moffittjc You're right. It's like chemical companies holding back on any cures they come up with. Everyone is so greedy.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec 20
You're welcome, Hanni. I hope your day goes well.
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
10 Dec 20
Planes and helicopters always flying overhead. Before pandemic I'd see Magnum PI helicopter now and then. I live close to the airport so zoom they go. I lived watching on the 4th of July the Blue Angles.
3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
10 Dec 20
well i guess better safe than sorry you can never forget your parachute
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
11 Dec 20
@JudyEv that reminds me of the old joke. Plane is crashing and one of the crew jumps out. The other two look around and say who brought the parachtues? They realize it was the guy that had already jumped.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
11 Dec 20
Nice facts about planes. I also remember when I was still young we lived near an airport so seeing planes has become an ordinary thing for me back then. But I was amazed to see it the first time when we all went there and see how big the planes were back then.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56486)
• Philippines
10 Dec 20
It's good your hubby loves plane. When I was a kid I also rushed out to go outside the house to watch the plane that passed above us. And I even shouted with glee.
1 person likes this
