Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc. engages in the design, manufacture and distribution of rocket deployed whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems for use on general aviation and recreational aviation aircraft in the United States.
Segments
The company operates in four primary market segments: General aviation; Light Sport Aircraft (LSA); Recreational/Sport aviation; and Personal Protective Equipment.
Principal Products
The company’s principal products are whole-aircraft emergency parachute r...
Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc. engages in the design, manufacture and distribution of rocket deployed whole-aircraft emergency parachute systems for use on general aviation and recreational aviation aircraft in the United States.
Segments
The company operates in four primary market segments: General aviation; Light Sport Aircraft (LSA); Recreational/Sport aviation; and Personal Protective Equipment.
Principal Products
The company’s principal products are whole-aircraft emergency parachute recovery systems. Parachute usage scenarios include: mid-air collision (loss of integrity or control); severe weather upset (wind shear, turbulence); power loss with poor visibility (night or instrument flight conditions); loss of control (component failure or malfunction); engine out over hostile (unlandable) terrain; structural failure (age-weakened parts); pilot medical trauma (heart attack, allergic reaction, stroke); overstress (violent weather); and/or pilot error.
General Aviation Market
The company’s general aviation product line relates to products for inclusion on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aircraft through either a Type Certificate, or TC, or a Supplemental Type Certificate, or STC. The company developed an emergency parachute recovery system for the Cessna 150/152 series of aircraft.
Cirrus Design Corporation: Cirrus manufactures single engine 4-seat certified aircraft. The company entered into an agreement with Cirrus to develop and certify a four-place all composite general aviation aircraft designated the SR20. The company operates under a Purchase and Supply Agreement with Cirrus pursuant to which it is the supplier of the parachute recovery system to Cirrus.
Other General Aviation Products: In addition to its relationship with Cirrus, the company develops and sells aftermarket parachute systems for the Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft. The company has an agreement with Cessna Aircraft Company for the Cessna service stations across the world to begin offering BRS whole-airframe parachute system installations and service for the 172 Skyhawk and 182 Skylane. The company also announced they would begin developing an STC for the parachutes to be installed on the Cessna 206.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Market/Recreational Market
Recreational aviation products include products designed and manufactured for use on unregistered aircraft (such as ultralights) and aircraft registered with the FAA as experimental. Like its general aviation products, these recreational aviation products are designed to prevent or reduce human injury and damage to the aircraft in the event of an in-air emergency.
The company manufactures these products and sells direct and through dealers and distributors who also market and sell the aircraft and related products. It works with approximately 30 dealers and distributors worldwide. The LSA market has 57 approved airplane types and the company is in the development of designs and has orders to develop parachute recovery systems for 13 of these aircraft types. The company has developed relationships with U.S. based distributors and manufacturers of LSA aircraft, such as Flight Star and Sport Aircraft Works. It delivered 192 LSA units in 2007.
Very Light Jet (VLJ) Market
VLJs are being developed by various general aviation manufacturers, including Cirrus, Piper and Diamond. A VLJ is a smaller version of a larger jet that, in general, seats approximately five persons, weighs approximately 10,000 pounds.
In July 2007, the company entered into an agreement with Epic Aircraft, a Bend, Oregon based aircraft manufacturer, to install its parachutes on board Epic’s new Victory jet, a single-engine, all composite VLJ which would carry 4-5 passengers.
Repack Market
All of the company’s parachute recovery systems require repack, or refurbishment, for continued service. The repack entails: replacement of the extraction rocket; inspection of the parachute assembly, including replacement of certain time change items and other parts that have reached the end of their service life; and repacking of the parachute.
Non-Aviation and Department of Defense Market
The company is seeking new non-aviation product lines from various safety-related firms to manufacture in its Mexican facility of a cut-and-sew nature. Its subsidiary, Advanced Tactical Fabrication, Inc., or ATF, manufactures, markets, and distributes products within the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) industry utilizing the Head Lites’ brand high visibility components and trims, Vis-Mat brand high visibility vest apparel, headwear and accessories, Vis-Tac brand load-bearing tactical vest platforms, plus ELMO brand emergency lighting systems. It also anticipates that ATF would develop custom personal safety products, along with full-package supply chain management for United States or foreign-sourced cut-and-sew fabrication.
The company has also partnered with a domestic original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, desiring to sell its newly developed single-engine piston aircraft as a replacement basic trainer for the United States Air Force and United States Navy whereby each aircraft would have its parachute recovery systems installed as standard equipment in lieu of individual ejection seats or personnel parachutes.
History
Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc. was founded in 1980.
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