The Cirrus Design Corporation can claim a first in the history of manned flight, when a pilot aboard Cirrus aircraft used its parachute system to safely bring his disabled aircraft to earth. That’s right, Cirrus aircraft are standardly equipped with parachutes capable of supporting an *entire* aircraft. I had heard of this some time ago and was wondering whether it was feasible, but apparently not only is it feasible but it has also saved its first life. Pretty amazing…