Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2007 09:11:28 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-2245241@logan.com>
Received-SPF: none
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=206.130.116.53; envelope-from=hwasti@lm50.com
From: Hamid Wasti <hwasti@lm50.com>
User-Agent: Thunderbird 1.5.0.12 (Windows/20070509)
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Re: [LML] BRS in Evolution
References: <list-2243857@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-2243857@logan.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

marv@lancair.net wrote:
> Posted for "Joe Bartels" <JoeB@lancair.com>:
> There were two main reasons for my decision to have a BRS chute
> installed in Evolution:
> 1) Pilot incapacitation; and,
> 2) Marketing.
Hi Joe,

Considering the extremely rare incidence of pilot incapacitation, I 
would classify it in the same category as marketing: Something to 
increase the perceived value of the product and help it stand out from 
the competition.

There is nothing wrong with adding features for the sole purpose of 
marketing. However, just keep in mind that marketing is a double edged 
sword. You can use it conquer the world or slit your own throat. Cirrus 
has used the "safety" provided by the BRS, among other things, to fight 
their way to the top of the GA market in volume.  At the same time they 
have a less than desirable safety record, not because of a fault of the 
airplane, but because of the type of individual their marketing has 
attracted.

I completely agree with your observation that the thought process that 
would lead a pilot to prematurely pull a chute is the same thought 
process that led them to being in that situation in the first place.  
However, as the Cirrus experience has shown, quite frequently that 
thought process leads them instead to a place where the chute is of 
little help and a NTSB fatal accident report is inevitable.

As the CEO of Lancair, you get to decide who you want to market to, what 
risks you want to take, how you intend to mitigate them and where you 
want to draw the line on the risk/reward continuum. As the CEO, that is 
not just your right, but also your responsibility and your burden. I 
wish you all the best in it!

Regards,

Hamid