Emergency Recovery Systems for your Zenair...
Although these systems have been installed in many Zenair designs, Zenair does not endorse, sell or service Ballistic Recovery Systems for its kit aircraft; the information provided below is provided for educational purposes only. The systems described on this page are primarily of the "BRS" brand. These systems may cost a bit more than the competition initially, but they have a longer pack life than most others (more years between mandatory re-packing). In addition, many Zenair owners have reported receiving excellent customer support and instructions form the BRS company.
Four types of installation have been developed for the Zodiac series:
BRS systems have also been developed for the Zenair STOL designs:
For additional details (including parts and mounting information), contact BRS. Contact ULM Technologie or Aerolight Diffusion for info on installation kits for the ULM Systems (#2 & #3). *Note: Installation kits do not include parachute canopy, harnesses or rocket (all sold separately) |
Details on the 9 Systems listed above can be found below:
1) Zodiac CH 601 XL & CH 650 BRS installations for USA
This system is for aircraft with heavier engines (i.e. Jabiru, Continental, etc...). The installation kit (available from Zenair) is for the LSA-type aircraft designed to operate at a gross weight limit of 1,320 lbs with the BRS pack installed in the baggage area. The BRS parachute system (canopy, harnesses and rocket) can be purchased separately from Aircraft Spruce or other suppliers. Zenair's installation kit (650B-BRS) is designed for the BRS-6 type 1350 softpack LSA.
Installation kits include the rear fuselage mounting brackets, fiberglass fairings left and right sides, rear and front, etc. The following photos show the typical fairings covering the parachute straps. Note: Crating is required for shipping; the box is large (36" x 96" x 6") due to the formed aluminum and fiberglass fairings. Crating fee: $125.00
Installation kits include the rear fuselage mounting brackets, fiberglass fairings left and right sides, rear and front, etc. The following photos show the typical fairings covering the parachute straps. Note: Crating is required for shipping; the box is large (36" x 96" x 6") due to the formed aluminum and fiberglass fairings. Crating fee: $125.00
For a copy of the mounting instructions (as illustrated above) and the related photo-assembly guides, you may order just the optional "BRS Drawings and Manuals for the Light Sport CH601XL /CH 650" separately from Zenair .................... US$45.00 + shipping (included with kit)
Available Drawings - Choose carefully, based on type of bubble canopy:
CH 601-XL with classic one-piece canopy bubble (TC).....................................................................Drawings 6-N-30, 6-N-31 and 6-XN-4
CH 650 (and modified CH 601-XL) with the larger two-piece bubble (65-C3-3 and 65-C3-4)...........Drawings: 6-N-43 and 6-XN-5
CH 601-XL with classic one-piece canopy bubble (TC).....................................................................Drawings 6-N-30, 6-N-31 and 6-XN-4
CH 650 (and modified CH 601-XL) with the larger two-piece bubble (65-C3-3 and 65-C3-4)...........Drawings: 6-N-43 and 6-XN-5
2) CH 601XL BRS installation for European Ultralights (behind FWF)
System is designed for aircraft with lighter engines (i.e. Rotax 912 or similar). The BRS pack is installed between the instrument panel and the firewall - for ULM-type aircraft operated at a gross weight of 472.5 kg (a typical European ULM aircraft equipped with parachute). The BRS parachute system (canopy and rocket) can be purchased from Aircraft Spruce or other suppliers.
An installation kit for the BRS-6 type 1050 softpack HD is available from AeroLight Diffusion.
Installation kit includes fuselage mounting brackets, fiberglass fairings, etc. Call for availability and price.
Following photos show typical installation of the BRS pack behind the firewall for the ULM version of the Zodiac.
An installation kit for the BRS-6 type 1050 softpack HD is available from AeroLight Diffusion.
Installation kit includes fuselage mounting brackets, fiberglass fairings, etc. Call for availability and price.
Following photos show typical installation of the BRS pack behind the firewall for the ULM version of the Zodiac.
For mounting instructions (as illustrated above) and the related photo-assembly guides, you may order the "BRS Drawings and Manuals for CH601XL(UL) / CH 650E" separately from Zenair ........................................ US$42.00 + shipping
For mounting instructions (as illustrated above) and the related photo-assembly guides, you may order the "BRS Drawings and Manuals for CH601XL(UL) / CH 650E" separately from Zenair ........................................ US$42.00 + shipping
3) CH 650Ei BRS installation for European Ultralights (in front of FWF)
Contact AeroLight Diffusion (FR) for details.
Contact AeroLight Diffusion (FR) for details.
4) BRS System for older Zodiac Models (CH600/601HD/UL/HDS)
The following installation instructions (Ref 6500) were offered by BRS for older Zodiac models (CH 600/601) in 1998. The instructions and drawings can still be used by owners of these models (HD/UL/HDS) who wish to install a BRS system in their aircraft. Note: Zenair does NOT offer an installation kit for this system, so owners should refer to the indicated document to fabricate their own parts and to order the recommended hardware. The parachute canopy, harness and rocket system can all be ordered directly from BRS.
Contact BRS for details. |
5) BRS System for the STOL CH 701
This BRS installation is for the aircraft operated at a gross weight of 472kg. The BRS parachute system (canopy, rocket, harness as well as mounting hardware) can all be purchased from BRS, Aircraft Spruce or other suppliers. BRS pack is installed in baggage area.
Following sketches show typical parachute & straps installations. Contact BRS for full details.
Following sketches show typical parachute & straps installations. Contact BRS for full details.
6) BRS System for the CH 750 (STOL and CRUZER)
Zenair offers Drawings and an Installation Kit (P/N 750-BRS) for the installation of a Ballistic Recovery System in the Experimental STOL and CRUZER CH 750 aircraft.
The 750-BRS mounting kit, mounting drawings and installation instructions (photo-assembly guide), are available from Zenair; the BRS system (chute, rocket, harnesses and selected items) must be ordered from BRS directly. Note: the 4-point seat-belt system is not included in these kits. Such restraint systems can be found elsewhere, but can also be purchased through Zenair (CROW brand) if desired:
Just the drawings and photo-guide.....................................................................$55.00 + postage
The Zenair 750-BRS Installation kit (P/N 750-BRS)...........................................$370.00 (includes the above drawings & photo-guide)
Optional "CROW Enterprises 4-point harness"...................................................$312.00 ea. (can be substituted for other 4-point seat belt system)
All other necessary accessories from BRS (P/N CH7ZSI-06).............................Contact BRS to order (Tel: 1-651-457-7491)
Note: BRS Aviation is a separate and independent company from Zenair; all kits, packing lists, drawings and prices are subject to change.
The 750-BRS mounting kit, mounting drawings and installation instructions (photo-assembly guide), are available from Zenair; the BRS system (chute, rocket, harnesses and selected items) must be ordered from BRS directly. Note: the 4-point seat-belt system is not included in these kits. Such restraint systems can be found elsewhere, but can also be purchased through Zenair (CROW brand) if desired:
Just the drawings and photo-guide.....................................................................$55.00 + postage
The Zenair 750-BRS Installation kit (P/N 750-BRS)...........................................$370.00 (includes the above drawings & photo-guide)
Optional "CROW Enterprises 4-point harness"...................................................$312.00 ea. (can be substituted for other 4-point seat belt system)
All other necessary accessories from BRS (P/N CH7ZSI-06).............................Contact BRS to order (Tel: 1-651-457-7491)
Note: BRS Aviation is a separate and independent company from Zenair; all kits, packing lists, drawings and prices are subject to change.
7) BRS System for the Super-Duty CH 750-SD
Installation Instructions specific to a Ballistic Recovery System for the CH 750-SD are still under development at this time. Until available, builders may refer to the drawings available for the CH 750 and CH 801 models, and can install the parts provided by Zenair in the "750-BRS Attachment Kit" using drawings C75-BRS-1, C75-BRS-2 and the related 11-page Photo Assembly Guide (Nov. 2018) provided with the Attachment Kit. Note: For the CH 750-SD, the parachute canister will be located behind the rear seat bulkhead instead of inside the cabin.
8) BRS System for the STOL CH 801 (Classic or HD)
Suggestions for installing a Ballistic Recovery System in the Experimental STOL CH 801-HD kit aircraft are provided in drawings 8-N-1, 8-N-2 and 8-N-3. For chute, rocket, harnesses and related items or additional information, contact the Recovery System manufacturer of your choice directly.
9) BRS System for the Super-Duty STOL CH 801-SD
A Ballistic Recovery System for the Experimental STOL CH 801-SD kit aircraft has not yet been developed.