Light Sport Flying School
Operated by: Steve Pike at Wycombe Air Park, Booker. SL7 3DP.
For Instruction and validations to NPPL microlight licence. Exams and GST ratings.
We don’t have a specific office at the airfield but meet in the lounge area for all briefings, whilst often at the airfield it is best to meet by appointment.
E.Mail: srpflyer@hotmail.co.uk
Contact: 07746 373637
CFI: (Microlights) Steve Pike
L.S.F.S is registered with the B.M.A.A and C.A.A as a training organisation.
Rocket-Assisted Deployment
GRS rescue systems are rocket-powered rather than ballistic. Rocket power is smooth and continuous, while ballistic systems depend on an initial bang to fire the chute and un-powered momentum to carry it clear of the aircraft. The GRS system instead powers the unpacked chute to the end of its tether and continues under power to draw the chute from its soft pack, providing reliable deployment and rapid clearance from the aircraft and any debris field.
There are new regulations regarding placards for recovery systems fitted to aircraft, these are some that will be required on your aircraft…sample labels (may differ slightly in colour)
The Parachute in the Eurostar is located between the fire wall and instrument panel, it is located in a ‘soft pack container’ and secured to the airframe. Other aircraft vary and may have a hard casing for the parachute and rocket. The parachute straps are secured to the rocket by carabiners. The rocket is located on the port side of the forward fuselage in front of the pilot behind a break out panel. The red release handle is located on the instrument panel, a sharp pull is required to activate the system after removing a safety pin.
Every six years the system will require service checks which entail removing the equipment from the aircraft. The parachute is returned to the Galaxy factory and is unpacked and inspected, it is then repacked with the use of special equipment. The standard life of the parachute is thirty years, provided it is not damaged or has been deployed.
The rocket has to be deactivated before returning to Galaxy, this involves deactivating the system and making safe for transport, the empty container is then returned along with the parachute for inspection and re-charging.
Once complete normally around 2-3 weeks the rocket and parachute will be returned by road transport to a location in France where collection will be arranged, we currently cannot transport across the Channel by standard commercial routes, we are working on a solution for this. The equipment can then be refitted to the aircraft and inspected and signed off by your inspector and returned to service. The aircraft should not be used without the system installed.
50 hour Routine service checks are typically…security of the rocket, parachute, straps and carabiners, release mechanism, egress panels and placards.
Check the date of expiry for your system, this will be marked on the end of the parachute pack. Generally the life of the system is 6 years. At this point the system will require an overhaul. Note this is a Permit or CofA fail if not carried out.
If your aircraft has been in an accident, damaged, or the system has become water logged it should be inspected earlier and before the next flight.
Please contact us for pricing and for further information about working around the GRS system.
Fitted under the fuselage