email from Karel Goorts re: Vigil AAD users please read

[Newbie 0]

i just got the following email from Karel Goorts. I have no idea why it was sent to me, or how they got my email address but there you go (i own a CYPRES).
I don't know it's validity, or whether this should even be posted but i figure if it's wrong, a mod can delete it. It makes reference to jumpers lives potentially being endangered and not knowing anything much about the Vigil or the recent replacement issue, i thought i should post this, apologies in advance if it was the wrong thing to do. On a side note, it seems more like a personal rant/disgruntled business partner issue, but again i really don't know.

Here is the email i got.........


Overijse (Belgium), May 2004.

Dear Skydiver,

In the past we have been in touch for the Vigil AAD.

Now that my 'partner' Jo Smolders publishes an official document on the USPA website where he connects my name with the recent troubles that the Vigil has, I must inform you about the real situation.

I worked for more than 5 years on this project and invested way over 150.000$ in it.
The Vigil was my idea, from the design, the concept, to the name. I was promised half of everything that the Vigil concerns, and never saw a dime of it.
Since January 2004 I'm not involved in the Vigil project any more. I NEVER received a decent explanation regarding the numerous malfunctions.
Disregarding my insistence as a skydiver, as an instructor, as a rigger and as a partner, I never got any answer on my questions regarding the safety of the product from Mr. Smolders. I told him that under the present circumstances the lives of the skydivers are endangered.

Anyway, due to this situation, I have been forced to consider possible alternatives.

I'm sure that we'll meet again on a DZ sometime.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at +32 (0)485 86 87 88 or bookmark my personal email address: karel.goorts@skynet.be.

Blue skies,

Karel Goorts

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[Unutsch 0]

yup, i got it to... got absolutely no idea what to should do with it... hm... maybe delete?? 'cause after all, it could be some sort of spam and i don't like spam... a a... not me

Check out the site of the Fallen Angels FreeflY Organisation:
http://www.padliangeli.org

[piisfish 140]

got that spam too. The same thread from someone else in bonfire...

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[gus 1]

I got the same but have no idea what it's about or whether it's legit.

Gus

OutpatientsOnline.com

[dragon2 2]

Got this too, but on the email adress I have listed here. This (dz.com) is the only skydiving-related site I use this email address on, in fact I rarely use it, period.

So, seemed this guy went thru profiles here...

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[packerkevin 0]

I also got this message. The weird thing is that it was sent to a e-mail address that has nothing to do with skydiving! How did they get my email addy? Strange

Growing old is mandatory, Growing up is optional

[Newbie 0]

for those that didnt get it, here is a follow up which Kim Griffin sent out which explains the situation....




Hello from DeLand. Karel Goorts emailed a letter in regards to the Vigil to a large mailing list of skydivers last week. I am replying because I have been requested to do so by many skydivers/dealers. I will try to make it brief and to the point, as I have no wishes to be involved in mudslinging.

Mr. Goorts owns a marketing company in Belgium that was hired by Advance Aerospace Designs (the engineering company that manufactures the Vigil). Mr. Goorts did indeed play a role in developing and marketing the Vigil. Early in the year, A.A.D. (owned 100% by Mr. Jo Smolders) decided discontinued the use of Mr. Goorts' marketing services and paid any outstanding invoices in full. Mr. Goorts has made his discontent very clear to Mr. Smolders. The disagreement between these two men has no bearing on how the Vigil is produced or is distributed. Mr. Goorts' slanderous comments about safety come purely from his anger towards Mr. Smolders - spite, not fact.

I believe A.A.D. has taken the high road in releasing its findings to the public about the static electricity problem. It has also bent over backwards (and spent a lot of money) to make sure the problem was remedied and the new Vigils tested extensively both in test chambers and on live skydives (Gap, France) - the new Vigil performed perfectly, BTW. The new Vigil starting shipping in mid-April. A.A.D. and Vigil USA are working overtime to get replacement Vigils out as quick as possible. Some new Vigils, such a DeLand Majik's, already have a bunch of jumps on them.

Best Regards, Kim
___________________________
Kimberly Griffin
Vigil USA, LLC
Sales Manager

1606 Palmetto Ave
DeLand, FL 32724 USA
Tele: +386-736-8464 (M-F, 9-2 EST)
Fax: +386-736-8468 (Anytime)
kim@vigil.aero

If you have any questions about this matter, please telephone or email me directly.

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts