A new ASTM International standard outlines minimum requirements for designing, manufacturing, and installing emergency parachute systems that help recover a small plane’s airframe, potentially helping occupants survive, according to Jay Yeakle, a member of ASTM International’s general-aviation aircraft committee (F44) and who serves as an administrator at Cirrus Aircraft.
“Whole aircraft parachute recovery systems are an emerging safety device that is gaining use in general aviation,” says Yeakle. “The new standard provides design and certification requirements for any person or company to qualify these systems on GA aircraft.”
Yeakle says that recovery system designers and aircraft designers will be able to use the new standard (F3408) as a guide.
“Certification agencies have had to develop special conditions to certify these systems,” says Yeakle. “Having the new standard will provide companies a way to show compliance with existing rules, so special conditions might not be necessary. This could help speed the certification process, saving time and resources for both the applicant and the certification agencies.”
ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. The next meeting of ASTM International’s general aviation aircraft committee is April 27-30 in Prague (Czech Republic).
To purchase standards, contact ASTM International customer relations (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).
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