AAD model/company name reference

[peek 21]

After seeing yet another round of AAD discussions including inaccurate references to AAD companies and models, I am supplying the following (brief) compilation so that people can more accurately identify the AAD to which they refer.

Company Name                    AAD Model/Name      Design


Airtec GmbH                     Cypres              microprocessor/solid state pressure sensor

http://www.cypres.cc/           (military model too)

http://www.cypres-usa.com/


Advanced Aerospace Designs      VIGIL               microprocessor/solid state pressure sensor

http://www.vigil.aero/


FXC Corporation                 Astra               microprocessor/solid state pressure sensor

http://www.fxcguardian.com/     Model 12000         mechanical (aneroid, spring activation)

(many military

models too)


Steve Snider Enterprises (SSE)  Sentinel            electromechanical (aneroid, some electronics)


Chechoslovakian? Polish?        KAP III             mechanical (aneroid, spring activation)

(The KAP III has been included because I still hear people refer to it. Its design allows it to be used on the main container of a sport parachute system.)

[skymedic 0]

here's another..

MPAAD... electrical. one piece unit. chzech. should be coming here soon...but then again they said that almost two years ago too. something about a lawsuit with airtec

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[koz2000 1]

I believe part of this post is due to my saying

Quote

It also irritates me how people say they won't get on a plane/ jump if someone's got a Vigil. Do they feel the same about people with an FXC? I personally have seen a two of misfires with that at 3000'. just food for thought. "

in the [ url "http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1195664;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"] Vigil AAD [/url] post.
Gary sent me a message that FXC made entirely different units, the FXC12000 and Astra.

Gary, even though I have never met you, I hold you in high regard in this sport. Thanks for correcting me.

SO, I withdraw my comment about the FXC firing at 3000' and enter a comment about the FXC12000 firing at 3000'. I have never heard of an Astra firing at altitude.

Blue ones
Dave

______________________________________________
- Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes -

[pbla4024 0]

I have to say it again. MPAAD is already on the market. http://www.marsjev.cz/cze/produkt.asp?kod=1799. And KAP-3P is (was?) manufactured by http://www.mikrotechna.cz/en_vsechny_produkty.pdf

Fido

[skydiverton 0]

KAP III only causes headackes at the moment.
The only one I ever saw was in a DZ bar and I won a lot of beer.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit,
Especially when you are jumping a sport rig

[skymedic 0]

Quote

I have to say it again. MPAAD is already on the market

yes it is...but it is NOT onthe market in the states yet. I didn't say it wasn't on the market...just that you can not get it here in the states yet.

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

here's another..

MPAAD... electrical. one piece unit. czech. should be coming here soon...but then again they said that almost two years ago too. something about a lawsuit with airtec

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This reminds me of another lawsuit a decade ago: when FXC was about to release their ASTRA AAD. Airtec threatened to sue because they claimed that the cutter on the ASTRA infringed on their patent. FXC's response was: "We already hold several patents on similar cutters for reefing lines, ejection seats, etc."

[mr2mk1g 10]

So that's three competing AAD companies who have either been sued or threatened with a lawsuit by Airtec.

Well, you can’t really expect anything else given the money involved... but it does kinda suck that a company we respect so much for doing what they have in the name of our safety is out there spending money trying to prevent any further increases in our safety through either innovation or a reduction in unit cost.

Cheers Airtec... I just don't know if I should be sarcastic in my toast or not.

[neilmcg 0]

I know of an Astra firing at 11,000 ft. jump took place at 12000 ft. Problem was a manufacturing defect. The jumper was really upset about this and he asked for his money back. He got a newly repaired astra.

You must keep in mind that all these devices are man made and since man is not infallable neither are these devices. Hence the disclaimer on all of the skydiving products.

It is unfortunate that when a device does not function correctly we assume the device is no good. The one that failed is obviously no good but all the others that work properly are just fine.

Each of the AAD companies have had their problems and the secret to their succes is how they handle their problems.

Just remember the best for the consumer is competition. It keeps the companies on their toes and makes certain we get good products at a competitive price.

The best companies in the world have the best customer service. We know who they are because we continue to buy their products and that is the way it should be.