A conversation about aircraft parachute systems with the founder of Ballistic Recovery Systems, HondaJet certification, the Cirrus Vision SF50, British Airways displeasure with Heathrow expansion plans, abandoned 747 freighters, and efficient but not accurate airport firefighters. Also, the Millennium Falcon, the Handley Page Herald turboprop, ATC job opportunities, and WATS tables.
Guest

Boris Popov is the inventor of the Ballistic Recovery Parachute, which has saved hundreds of lives. In 1975, Boris survived a 400-foot fall in a collapsed hang glider and the incident led Boris to invent the whole-aircraft parachute system and to found Ballistic Recovery Systems (BRS) in 1980. BRS introduced their first parachute for the ultralight aircraft market in 1982, and in 1983 the system had its first save of an aircraft and crew.

In 1998 the company collaborated with Cirrus Aircraft to develop the first recovery parachute system used on a type-certified aircraft, the Cirrus SR20. Since then, there have been 56 Saves of Cirrus Aircraft with 114 survivors, resulting in a fatal accident rate that’s half that of typical GA aircraft. The company also offers parachutes for the Cessna 172, Cessna 182, and about a dozen light sport aircraft, including the new Icon A5 seaplane.
News
Honda Aircraft receives type certification for HondaJet
HondaJet earns type certificate
Achieving type-certification brings Honda Aircraft close to customer delivery of the HondaJet. The small, jet-powered airplane features an over-the-wing engine mount, natural laminar flow, a composite fuselage, and a Garmin® G3000 next-generation all-glass avionics system. Power comes from two GE Honda Aero Engines HF120 powerplants.
Cirrus Teases Vision SF50 Performance Numbers
Cirrus Aircraft has released flight profile details of the Vision SF50 single-engine light jet. With a maximum ramp weight of 6,040 pounds, and a fuel load of 296 gallons/1,983 pounds, takeoff ground roll is 2,036 feet. At FL280, maximum cruise at 300 ktas burns 69 gph/462 pph, for a range of 1,000 nm. Fuel burn drops to 47 gph/315 pph and speed to 242 ktas at best-economy cruise, with range up to 1,200 nm.
Heathrow expansion: British Airways threatens to move out of UK
International Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh isn’t happy with plans for Heathrow’s expansion. That plan includes a new runway, a new terminal, an underground train link, and a very expensive (£800m) car park. Walsh says all this would double the £40 fee they pay now for a return trip.
Be an Astronaut: NASA Accepting Applications for Future Explorers
NASA is looking for astronauts and the astronaut candidate application website is now live and accepting submissions through Feb. 18, 2016.
Malaysia hunts owners of Boeing 747s abandoned at airport