"Right Thing To Do"

Ultralight manufacturer North Wing Design has changed its product pricing to include BRS parachutes with each aircraft.

"We're doing this for two reasons," said North Wing president, Kamron Blevins. "First, we think it's the right thing to do for our customer's safety. Secondly, we see a business opportunity. These parachute systems are popular and their sale adds to our income. It's important to stay healthy financially." He says that even the saving of one life is worthwhile. He personally knows of which he speaks.

Last August, one of North Wing's trikes experienced carburetor icing and engine power dropped. Pilot Lance Lefholz was flying cross country in California with only forest and very rocky mountains under him as his aircraft began to lose altitude. Unable to coax more power from the engine, Lefholz deployed his BRS canister parachute system at 300 feet above the ground. It deployed in less than 100 feet, says the pilot and felt "like God had grabbed me by the scruff of my neck." He escaped with minor injuries and less than $500 aircraft damage.

Effective immediately, North Wing reports the aircraft price includes the parachute. "We've already priced our machines this way. We are committed to equipping every aircraft possible with a BRS system," said Blevins.

BRS salesman Gregg Ellsworth welcomed the North Wing move, saying, "Kamron has taken a big step forward to advance aviation safety and we welcome his company as a BRS Partners-in-Safety member." The program improves communication between airframe producers and parachute builder, BRS benefiting consumers with optimized installations. BRS president and CEO said, "We're delighted to have North Wing Design make this progressive move with their aircraft."

North Wing manufactures a line of four trike ultralight models and a range of trike wings often sold to other carriage producers plus hang gliders and parts. The company has become one of the most successful American-owned and -operated trike builders.

BRS designs, manufactures and distributes whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems for use on general aviation and recreational aircraft. Since the early 1980s BRS has delivered over 18,000 parachute systems to aircraft owners around the world including over 1,200 systems on certified aircraft. Actual documented uses of these systems are credited with saving the lives of 159 persons through December 2003. Lefholz is officially Save No. 155 for the company.

FMI: www.airplaneparachutes.com, www.northwing.com