The Trouble with Trouble

Originally Posted February 17, 2007

One of the difficulties, and attractions, of flying is how easy it is to get into trouble. And, once in trouble, how hard it can be to get out. For as long as man has ventured into the air, we have devised gadgets intended to keep us safe.

One of the newer ones is the “whole aircraft parachute” system. Such systems float the entire airplane down to the ground, and have been adopted widely in the ultralight community. Under the name of CAPS (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System), this equipment is installed on every Cirrus Design product. These systems are credited with saving numerous lives, but are still the object of passionate debate in airport lounges and online forums. Folks either love them or hate them.

Many Cirrus owners claim that the CAPS system was the feature that sealed the deal for their purchase decision. As an instructor, I have given a lot of thought to the philosophical aspects of CAPS. A recent post on the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association members forum helped me focus my thinking. A very wise member, also a lawyer, wrote about his profession “I can either keep you out of trouble, or I can get you out of trouble.”

It seems to me that airplane parachute systems fall in the later category. For KEEPING out of trouble, we have a brain and many other wonderful gadgets – but the parachute is not one of them. It only becomes useful AFTER we GET into trouble. So, my philosophy is that the parachute is a good thing, but I am going to work really hard so that I never get so far into trouble that I need it.

Fly Safe!

Neil