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For those of you that already have had their repacks done can I ask that you post on here who did your repack and how it went?

I ask because today after contacting who Icon suggested I learned from the service provider that they have yet to do a repack, don't know what will be required, how long it will take, or how much it will cost. They also stated that it has been "very difficult" to get the information from Icon they need in order to do the service.

I really don't want to be anyone's guinea pig ...

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Mandy sent me to Jimmy Andrews [email protected] . His experience with BRS chutes in military aircraft was comforting. The new chute was ordered and part of a very long, very expensive trip through all that needed to be done @ 5 years and things that needed doing like the nose gear limit switch upgrade and engine hose replacement. He was VERY thorough, finding things not well done on previous annuals by the local maintenance staff.Overall cost was around $26k including a new altimeter and some minor airframe repairs. The plane has been flying very well since.

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I had Jimmy do mine in December 2023 and he did a great job as with everything else!!

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My Repack was done 6 months after my annual along with a new Altimeter, New Exhaust System, and Radiator Core. Jimmy did all the work. He is very efficient and takes the time to explain everything.

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Icon is apparently currently in talks with BRS to allow a more streamlined process by letting service centers deal directly with BRS on repacks. I was told to "standby" on my upcoming repack.

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I wonder if "Hold-on" means you can fly past the repack date and maintain your Special Airworthiness Certificate?

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Good question - especially since even with the process already in place I am #22 on the waiting list for a chute. Seems that every summer my A5 is grounded for a couple of months while things are sorted out.

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Are there any other owners on the forum here that are also grounded while Icon and BRS get their crap together??? I have heard that there are at least 8 of us grounded until this is resolved - and that list is likely to grow longer as more aircraft reach their repack dates.

Seems that BRS is saying that Icon is not putting in the repack requests and Icon is stating that BRS is not providing the repacks.

What is really silly to me is that I've been told that BRS will not supply a repacked chute UNLESS you get a new rocket motor at the same time. My rocket motor still has over two years of life in it before a replacement is required - yet I have to replace it now???

Sure, it might make economic sense to replace it now while the repack is being done BUT (as we all know) SBs come out from Icon all the time and at the rate we have been getting them on the BRS system I figure I'll have to have the whole system opened up during the next two years anyway - so why not replace the rocket at a later date???

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Hi Michael,

I too am about to be grounded at the end of this month. Not a lot of alternatives. Mandy has not updated me lately but apparently there are quite a few ahead of me.

Tim

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What is really silly to me is that I've been told that BRS will not supply a repacked chute UNLESS you get a new rocket motor at the same time. My rocket motor still has over two years of life in it before a replacement is required - yet I have to replace it now???

Sure, it might make economic sense to replace it now while the repack is being done BUT (as we all know) SBs come out from Icon all the time and at the rate we have been getting them on the BRS system I figure I'll have to have the whole system opened up during the next two years anyway - so why not replace the rocket at a later date???

Two reasons, as I understand it: 1) the extra cost and risk of opening that up a second time in two years vs. now, and 2) BRS (not Icon) changed their rocket timing now to the same eight years as the 'chutes, so if you match them up it's half the labor as doing it twice, and because they no longer stagger, your rocket can't "lap" the 'chute at any point in the future, so there's no longer a benefit to eking out more time on the rocket.

Historically BRS (as I recall back to Cirrus days, etc.) had I think seven year cycles on 'chutes and 10 year cycles on rockets, so three 'chute cycles (you only get three, then it has to be replaced, not just repacked), would nearly match up with two cycles on the rocket, minus just one year on the last cycle of the 'chute if you replaced them both completely after year 20. That made some sense. Now I think they are eight and eight years. The weirdness is that BRS made that effective for all new repacks and rockets, so while many Cirri (the plural of Cirrus, right?), and Icons, and other planes, were on seven or eight year 'chute cycles and 10 year rocket cycles, they all going forward go to eight and eight. That may "lose" you two years on the first cycle on the rocket, but if you keep going on two year offsets you'll have twice as many times to pay for servicing that on differing cycles, and twice as many times you have to have that secure area opened up, and any mechanic will tell you they sweat a little extra every time they have to do that, not just because of the rocket in general, but because the panels can get damaged, taking them apart and putting them back together.

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Cirrus has always been 10 year for rocket and chute. However line cutters have always been 7 years. The line cutters are accessed from the baggage compartment, with about one hour labor.

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Cirrus has always been 10 year for rocket and chute. However line cutters have always been 7 years. The line cutters are accessed from the baggage compartment, with about one hour labor.

Thanks for clarifying, that sounds familiar now that you mention the line cutters, I forgot about that nuance with the Cirrus. I am not sure the reason for the change at BRS for this, but right or wrong I have heard it's not just about the version in our Icons.