BRS tests integrity of parachute installation on OMF Symphony fuselage

South St. Paul, Minn.-based Ballistic Recovery Systems on July 24 performed a touchdown condition test on an OMF Symphony 160 fuselage. In the test, a conforming fuselage of the Part 23 two seater–sand bagged to simulate a mtow of 2,150 pounds–was hoisted to 8.5 feet and dropped by releasing the tow cable. Although no parachute was involved, the test created a descent rate calculated for a 5,000-foot density altitude. The results showed that the parachute system should allow occupants to escape an aircraft after parachute deployment without serious injury. OMF of Germany will install BRS parachutes in the Symphony as an option. BRS and OMF continue to test the system in the four-place Symphony 4, with the goal of making it standard equipment.