# US RE49,214 E1 · Intelligent ballistic parachute system that performs pre-activation and/or post-activation actions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE49,214 E1 - Document ID: USRE49214E1 - Status: Granted - Kind: E1 - Application number: 16/422,357 - Filed: 2019-05-24 - Granted: 2022-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-13 - Assignees: Cirrus Design Corporation - Applicants: Cirrus Design Corporation - Inventors: Hoyt Augustus Fleming, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE49214E1 ## CPC - B64D 17/343: {by reefing means} - B64C 13/04: actuated personally - B64D 17/725: {by explosive means} - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS ## Abstract An aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The aircraft determines if a pre-activation action needs to be performed before activation of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft also receives a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute activation request. The aircraft then issues a command to perform the pre-activation action and then activates the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. The aircraft then issues a command to perform a post-activation action. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method performed by an aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the method comprising: receiving, from an aircraft occupant, a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request; then based upon the receipt of the ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing an action and also deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes increasing the altitude of the aircraft above the ground. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes decreasing the airspeed of the aircraft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes controlling the reefing of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the controlling the reefing includes restraining a reefing control line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the controlling the reefing includes restraining a reefing control line that is coupled to a reefing device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes changing the heading of the aircraft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes changing the attitude of the aircraft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action includes displaying a visual indication on a display that is coupled to the processor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, after deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute, performing a second action. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes controlling the reefing of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling the reefing of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute includes releasing a reefing control line that is coupled to a reefing device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling the reefing of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute includes extending a reefing control line, which is coupled to a reefing device, and then releasing the reefing control line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the aircraft includes a transponder and wherein the action includes commanding the transponder to enter one of Mode A, Mode C, or Mode S. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes activating an emergency locator transmitter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes setting a transmitter frequency of a communication radio to 121.5 MHz. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes setting a transmitter frequency of a communication radio to 121.5 MHz and then transmitting a message on the transmitter frequency containing the aircraft type, the aircraft N number, the aircraft colors, the aircraft latitude and longitude coordinates, the fact that a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute has been deployed, and at least one phone number. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes displaying a visual indication on a display that is coupled to the processor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second action includes lowering the landing gear of the aircraft. ### Claim 20 An aircraft, the aircraft including a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from an occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing an action and also deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute. ### Claim 21 An aircraft, the aircraft including: a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute is configured to deploy based upon an electrical signal, a pull-handle, an autopilot that is operable to control the pitch, roll, and heading of the aircraft, the autopilot being operable to increase the altitude of the aircraft and to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft, one or more memories having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors, each of the one or more processors configured to read and execute a portion of the machine-readable instructions, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: based upon an occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from the occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing a first action and deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft; wherein the pull-handle is configured to be pulled by the occupant of the aircraft a first time and a second time; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, as a first interface to the one or more processors; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, as a second interface to the one or more processors; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, perform an analysis to determine whether a second action needs to be performed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, activate the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute regardless of whether the analysis determines that the second action needs to be performed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, reducing engine power and utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle, displaying a message on an aircraft display, the message instructing the occupant of the aircraft to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, commanding the autopilot to perform a steep climb. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: (a) based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle; (i) commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; (b) after commanding the autopilot to initiate the climb in action (a)(i), then, based at least upon a reference airspeed, activate the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the reference airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a third action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: (a) based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle; (i) commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; (b) after commanding the autopilot to initiate the climb in action (a)(i), then, based at least upon a maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed, activate the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a third action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 28 An aircraft, the aircraft including: a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute is configured to deploy based upon an electrical signal, a pull-handle, an autopilot that is operable to control the pitch, roll, and heading of the aircraft, the autopilot being operable to increase the altitude of the aircraft and to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft, one or more memories having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors, each of the one or more processors configured to read and execute a portion of the machine-readable instructions, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: based upon an occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from the occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing a first action and deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft; wherein the pull-handle is configured to be pulled by the occupant of the aircraft a first time and a second time; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, as a first interface to the one or more processors; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, as a second interface to the one or more processors; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, performing a second action; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, performing a third action regardless of whether the second action has been performed. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The aircraft of claim 28, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The aircraft of claim 28, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle, displaying a message on an aircraft display, the message instructing the occupant of the aircraft to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The aircraft of claim 28, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; wherein the electrical signal is based at least upon (a) whether the occupant of the aircraft has pulled on the pull-handle and (b) a reference airspeed; wherein the reference airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a fourth action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The aircraft of claim 28, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; wherein the electrical signal is based at least upon (a) whether the occupant of the aircraft has pulled on the pull-handle and (b) a maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed; wherein the maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a fourth action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 33 An aircraft, the aircraft including: a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute is configured to deploy based upon an electrical signal, a pull-handle, an autopilot that is operable to control the pitch, roll, and heading of the aircraft, the autopilot being operable to increase the altitude of the aircraft and to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft, one or more memories having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors, each of the one or more processors configured to read and execute a portion of the machine-readable instructions, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: based upon an occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from the occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing a first action and deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: (a) based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle; (i) commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; (b) after commanding the autopilot to initiate the climb in action (a)(i), then, based at least upon a reference airspeed, activate the deployment of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the reference airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a second action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The aircraft of claim 33, wherein the aircraft has a maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed and the reference airspeed is equal to the maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The aircraft of claim 34, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The aircraft of claim 33, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 37 An aircraft, the aircraft including: a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute is configured to deploy based upon an electrical signal, a pull-handle, an autopilot that is operable to control the pitch, roll, and heading of the aircraft, the autopilot being operable to increase the altitude of the aircraft and to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft, one or more memories having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors, each of the one or more processors configured to read and execute a portion of the machine-readable instructions, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: based upon an occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from the occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing a first action and deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, commanding the autopilot to initiate a climb; wherein the electrical signal is based at least upon (a) whether the occupant of the aircraft has pulled on the pull-handle and (b) a reference airspeed; wherein the reference airspeed exceeds a predetermined airspeed; wherein the aircraft is operable to fly at the predetermined airspeed; wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: performing a second action based at least upon the predetermined airspeed. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The aircraft of claim 37, wherein the aircraft has a maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed and the reference airspeed is equal to the maximum safe parachute deployment airspeed. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The aircraft of claim 38, wherein the pull-handle is configured to be pulled by the occupant of the aircraft a first time and a second time; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, as a first interface to the one or more processors; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, as a second interface to the one or more processors. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The aircraft of claim 37, wherein the machine-readable instructions include the step comprising: based at least upon the occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, utilizing the autopilot to increase the altitude of the aircraft via a steep climb. ### Claim 41 (depends on 37) The aircraft of claim 37, wherein the pull-handle is configured to be pulled by the occupant of the aircraft a first time and a second time; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, as a first interface to the one or more processors; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, as a second interface to the one or more processors. ### Claim 42 An aircraft, the aircraft including: a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute that is coupled to the aircraft, an autopilot that is operable to control the pitch, roll, and heading of the aircraft, the autopilot being operable to increase the altitude of the aircraft and to reduce the airspeed of the aircraft, one or more memories having machine-readable instructions stored thereon, and one or more processors, each of the one or more processors configured to read and execute a portion of the machine-readable instructions, the aircraft configured to perform a method comprising: based upon an occupant of the aircraft pulling on the pull-handle, receiving a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request from the occupant of the aircraft; then based upon the receipt of the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute deployment request, both performing a first action and deploying the whole-aircraft ballistic parachute; wherein the pull-handle is configured to be pulled by the occupant of the aircraft a first time and a second time; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the first time, as a first interface to the one or more processors; wherein the pull-handle is configured to function, based upon the occupant pulling on the pull-handle the second time, as a second interface to the one or more processors.