Yeah, that does seem to be the conventional view. However having studied a decent number of NTSB crash reports it does seem that whilst it can't be proved, on a number of occasions chute's could have at least possibly prevented fatalities (speculation of course I realise).
I may well end up going down the route you suggest in reality, although I'm still on the look out if anyone can suggest anywhere (that saide, other than the Cirrus, with the Ikarus out of the question am I out of alternatives)?