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 minutes and is a summary, only, of the day's events. It only takes a few minutes of your time and will be available by subscription, 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 those news-tips and program suggestions coming... ANN is ALL about what YOU want to know about in the world of aviation and aerospace.

FMI: www.aero-news.net/podcasts