taking time on a Cirrus Another aircraft I took to pieces in the forums Fuji and 007Heli who has promised me a flight with him both converted me to the benefits of the chute in those discussions.
Pace BTW today I am moving our Cirrus to Biggin Hill for better utility as our grass is so unreliable in the winter, so send me a few December dates that suit you.
Having more or less caught up with this thread a few observations below have reinforced my personal beliefs of if you have a chute - USE IT:
1) Choice of field is very difficult from the air, especially when under pressure, surface is very difficult to judge.
2) Higher landing speed type aircraft are worse with significantly increased inertia.
3) Very Experienced guys die and can be severely injured in off airport landings / crashes. To a degree the outcome is a lottery and sure experience helps hopefully make the best choice and improve chances of a good outcome but it still ends up a lottery.
4) Some argue more choice is good, some argue more choice can be bad, I personally have made my choice before taking off.
5) Partial engine failure is more likely than immediate failure and this situation needs to be calmly managed and diagnosed up to the point of a decision to continue, attempt a landing, or a CAPS pull.
6) Fuel management is vital yet some still die for not being able to do this.
My view has changed in the last months in one area and that is when winds on the ground are believed to be at 30 knots plus then I will consider a traditional forced landing into wind.