The new Lancair Mako single engine piston powered four seat aircraft will offer the BRS Aerospace whole aircraft parachute system as an optional safety feature. The system is similar to that offered as a retrofit to Cessna 172/182 aircraft and as standard equipment on the popular Cirrus line of aircraft.

Lancair announced its newly designed Mako this past summer with a number of available options including the BRS Aerospace ballistic recovery parachute. Lancair is outfitting all Makos with design features to easily accommodate the parachute recovery system. Mako is a less expensive experimental alternative to certified aircraft with similar performance envelopes.

"We are very pleased that Lancair is offering the BRS Aerospace whole aircraft parachute recovery system as a Mako option because of its positive experience with BRS on other models and because the ultimate safety system gives the spouses and families of pilots an added measure of safety and reassurance," said BRS President Enrique Dillon.

"BRS Aerospace helps take the Lancair Mako to a higher level of safety, especially important to the spouses, families and friends of pilot owners," he added. "The Lancair has a similar whole aircraft parachute system to that used successfully in other aircraft lines, which give many families additional piece of mind."

BRS Aerospace's whole aircraft parachute system design calls for a parachute ballistic launcher to be installed in the aircraft with a pilot-initiated activator located in the cockpit. Upon activation, a ballistic rocket propels a parachute into the airstream to slow the airplane and float it down into a survivable vertical landing. The system is designed to be a last resort for pilots and passengers when all other attempts to recover the airplane in case of emergency or pilot incapacitation have failed.

BRS Aerospace was founded in 1980 in South St. Paul, Minn. It has manufacturing facilities at the South St. Paul Municipal Airport and in Pine Bluff, N.C. BRS is the world leader in whole aircraft parachute systems with more than 35,000 delivered to aviation segments including Light Sport Aircraft, experimentals, ultralights, unmanned vehicles, military aircraft and FAA/EASA Type Certified general aviation, including the most popular piston-powered aircraft.