Interesting.....
Take a look at the pawnee for an example of a strong cage around the pilot. I have seen one broken one where the largest single item was the cockpit area. Not exactly a recent type.
As to retrofitting airbags and parachutes, I don't think it would be feasible, any more than retrofitting an airbag in my MGB. If I choose to drive old cars and fly old aircraft surely that is up to me to decide what level of risk I am prepared to accept, an old a/c with superb short field qualities and sodall avionics, which has been flying for longer than I have been on this earth, or state of the art glass. Please let us keep some choice, not one size fits all and the nannies will keep us safe
