Deployment Attitude; Landing Considerations; Emergency Landing Body Position; Door Position - Cirrus SR22 Pilot Operating Handbook

S 10: S
ECTION AFETY
C A P
IRRUS IRFRAME

Deployment Attitude

The CAPS has been tested in all flap configurations at speeds ranging from
V to V . Most CAPS testing was accomplished from a level attitude.
SO A
Deployment from a spin was also tested. From these tests it was found that
as long as the parachute was introduced to the free air by the rocket, it
would successfully recover the aircraft into its level descent attitude under
parachute. However, it can be assumed that to minimize the chances of
parachute entanglement and reduce aircraft oscillations under the para-
chute, the CAPS should be activated from a wings-level, upright attitude if
at all possible.

Landing Considerations

After a CAPS deployment, the airplane will descend at less than 1700 feet
per minute with a lateral speed equal to the velocity of the surface wind. The
CAPS landing touchdown is equivalent to ground impact from a height of
approximately 13 feet. While the airframe, seats, and landing gear are
designed to accommodate the stress, occupants must be prepared for the
landing. The overriding consideration in all CAPS deployed landings is to
prepare the occupants for the touchdown in order to protect them from
injury as much as possible.

Emergency Landing Body Position

The most important consideration for a touchdown with CAPS deployed is
to protect the occupants from injury, especially back injury. Contacting the
ground with the back offset attempting to open a door or secure items
increases the likelihood of back injury. All occupants must be in the emer-
gency landing body position well before touchdown. After touchdown, all
occupants should maintain the emergency landing body position until the
airplane comes to a complete stop.
The emergency landing body position is assumed with tightened seat belt
and shoulder harness by placing both hands beside the legs, and holding the
upper torso erect and against the seat backs. The seat cushions contain an
aluminum honeycomb core designed to crush under impact to absorb
downward loads and help protect the spine from compression injury.

Door Position

For most situations, it is best to leave the doors latched and use the time
available to transmit emergency calls, shut down systems, and get into the
Emergency Landing Body Position well before impact. The discussion
below gives some specific recommendations, however, the pilot's decision
will depend upon all factors, including time to impact, altitude, terrain,
winds, condition of airplane, etc.
10-8
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NFORMATION
S (CAPS)
ARACHUTE YSTEM
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IRRUS ESIGN
SR22
P/N 13772-006
Reissue A