§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of rocket-assisted parachutes in improving aircraft safety. [170168]
§ Mr. McNultySince September 2003, responsibility for the safety regulation of most aircraft and aircraft products lies with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) except for various smaller or specialist aircraft such as microlights which remain the responsibility of national aviation authorities.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recognises the potential safety benefits of ballistic parachutes in otherwise potentially catastrophic accident situations. The authority introduced an amendment to the UK Design Requirements for Microlights in 1999 allowing for the installation of ballistic parachutes in such aeroplanes. Approval was on the basis that this did not introduce any additional hazard during normal conditions of flight.
EASA will include an assessment of an installed ballistic parachute system when investigating aircraft for the issue of a type Certificate. We understand that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the installation and use of a ballistic parachute in the Cirus SR20 light aeroplane and that this aircraft is now the subject of an application for approval in Europe.