What Time Is The Right Time To Pull The 'Chute?
Arguably the most distinctive
feature of any Cirrus Design aircraft is the CAPS whole-plane
parachute, that can save a pilot, his passengers, AND his
investment. But does that recovery system embolden pilots to go
where they wouldn't otherwise go without a parachute?
On his recent trip up to Atlanta to check out the Cirrus Owners
and Pilots Association Pilot Proficiency event, ANN Senior Editor
Pete Combs was able to speak with someone with a unique perspective
on that very question.
Pete asked CFI Bill Graham, who lives with his wife Barbara in
Southern California, about his own experience with popping the 'chute on their SR22 on
September 19, 2004. They recounted their
experiences... and as Barbara says, the most dangerous moment
wasn't necessarily as they were coming down under the canopy.
Instead, Barbara says that moment came after they were on the
ground, getting pelted with walnuts falling from the tree where
their aircraft had landed.
"You know, we're in more danger getting hit in the head with a
walnut, than coming down from 16,000 feet," she recalls telling
Bill.
This feature is in addition to our daily news briefing --
available in either a quick "Touch And Go" format or an expanded
Aero-Briefing.
ANN Daily Touch N Go:
05.16.06 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program)
ANN Daily Aero-Briefing:
05.16.06 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program)
ANN Special Feature -- COPA's Bill
Graham: 05.16.06 (ANN Special Feature, with Bill
Graham recounting his experience on popping the 'chute on his
SR22.)
Our DAILY programs consist of (at least) three separate
products... the first is a short synopsis of the previous 24 hours
of Aero-News, in brief, spanning only a few minutes (max) and in a
size/format that will allow it to be mailed as part of a Daily
Aero-Cast subscription; a more comprehensive DAILY news product
that will cover the previous 24 hours of news in a somewhat more
detailed fashion, and a feature Aero-Cast that will center on one
of the more important subject or topics of the day in considerable
depth and detail. This is how these products break down...
- ANN's Daily 'Touch & Go' Aero-Cast: A
quick look at the most recent news of the day... short, succinct
and to the point. The usual 'Touch & Go' takes but a few
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shortly.
- ANN's Daily Briefing Aero-Cast: The Daily ANN
Report (ANNRep for short), is a more comprehensive look at the
day's news. We'll give you the whole buzz... the news and features
that occupy the forefront of aviation news as well as solid
background on the subjects that aviators and other aviation
professionals need to stay informed on.
- ANN's Daily 'ASR' Feature Aero-Cast: ANN will
be offering a Daily 'Aero-News Special Report.' This involves a
more in-depth view of a story or two that dominated (or will be
dominating) the day's news. Far more detailed than any single story
in our standard ANN Daily Reports, this is a solid chance to get a
close look at the stories and topics that matter. ASR features may
include exclusive interviews with Aviation's Newsmakers, ANN's
Special Investigative reports and solid analysis of the stories
that will have undeniable impact on the world of aviation and
aerospace. We're tremendously excited about this particular product
in that it truly adds nuance and background to important breaking
news stories and personalities. While our current news format
allows for extensive reporting and information dissemination, ANN's
ASRs should set the bar even higher. ANN has become a pivotal force
in the world of aviation in the six years that have passed since we
undertook the immense task of becoming the aviation world's DAILY
news and information service... but with the all-new news services
we're offering as part of our Aero-Cast line-up, we expect to
become even more indispensable to the industry we serve.
Check them out, let us know what you think and be sure to keep
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