@AlpineYoda are you still monitoring this thread? I've got some questions on the chute.
1.) What is the frequency and cost of repack? On the Cirrus it's every 10 years. I would assume it's the same since they're both BRS brand? Is the cost less since it's experimental?
2.) On the Cirrus there are also "line cutters" which need to be replaced every 5 years. Is that the same on the RV-10?
3.) Are there other brand chutes that can be used on the RV-10? The Sling TSi uses Magnum Ballistic Parachute, and it's only a $11k option. The repack is every 6 years, but only costs $3500. (Yes, the Sling MGW is about 600# lighter than the RV-10, but Magnum makes chutes for planes up to 3,960# gross weight.)
4.) I hear the the BRS chute weighs 80 pounds. I understand the RV-10 baggage compartment is normally limited to 100 pounds. Does that leave you only 20 pounds of baggage capacity, or does it not matter as long as you're within CG limits?
Thanks
Haven't been on in a couple of days...
Yes, 10 year repack on the RV version, too. If you are building new, they will sell you the installation kit separately from the rocket and 'chute. You buy and install those parts close to first flight, so the 10 year clock starts ticking then. The straps and tunnels are evergreeen.
No line cutters, as far as I know.
Don't know anything about the Magnum
My understanding, and I could be very wrong, is that this doesn't impact baggage area load limits. Since it is attached to everything through dozens of rivets and screws, the risk of the load shifting and impacting CG is zero. And the structural impact of something moving is zero. So, the empty CG moves backwards, and you need to account for that when computing a flight-time CG with baggage, but the parachute itself doesn't change the baggage load.
I'm 193 pounds and I've been crawling inside my baggage area to install stuff as I build. I haven't heard or seen the body of the plane give way or sag or anything as I add and remove my weight. Baggage limits aren't really a structural thing - the plane is no stronger or weaker in the baggage area than it is in the rear seats. The problem is CG and potential shifts in CG if the load shifts in position. (For the best example of this, YouTube the 747 crash out of Bahgram where the heavy load rolled backward on climb out.) So, load it up, as long as CG remains within limits.