cypress question

[baseknut 0]

i know that a cypress life span is only 12 years.

but once that 12 years is up, are they still usable. As a skydiver who has recently aquired his A license and purchased his first rig (obviously w/out aad), i am not positive on this answer.

please elaborate...........

Step into my (sub)terminal Playground

[councilman24 37]

It is not legal to use cypres on a reserve parachute in the U.S. that is older than 12 years and 3 months from it's Date of Manufacture.

You can use it as a paper weight.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[slotperfect 7]

Service life of the CYPRES is 12 years, 3 months. After that service life expires, it is deemed unairworthy by the manufacturer. FAR part 105 states that "If installed, the automatic activation device must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions for that automatic activation device.

So, if a Rigger were to install, or a jumper were to use, or a pilot were to allow on his airplane, a CYPRES that has reached the end of the manufacturer's specified service life, he is breaking a Federal law.

If I remember correctly, the original service life was 10 years. Once the first batch started getting close to that, Airtec felt comfortable enough with the historical data collected over 9+ years of use to extend the service life to 12 years, 3 months. Beyond that, I am told, there is no reliable data to allow for a safe and accurate timeframe to retire a unit from service before its components begin to fail.

Arrive Safely

John

[BillyVance 35]

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It is not legal to use cypres on a reserve parachute in the U.S. that is older than 12 years and 3 months from it's Date of Manufacture.

You can use it as a paper weight.

I would be interested to know if there are any testing done to determine if these units actually do function perfectly beyond that time limit.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[baseknut 0]

okay. makes sense. and i will use one for a paper weight. so you are aloud to jump without one, but not with one that is expired?


thanks to all.

Step into my (sub)terminal Playground

[slotperfect 7]

BTW - Airtec offers a $80 trade-in on a new CYPRES2 if you are interested - so it's not totally worthless. See details here: http://www.cypresusa.com/Trade-In_customers_USA.pdf

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so you are aloud to jump without one, but not with one that is expired?

That is correct.

Arrive Safely

John

[kelpdiver 2]

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I would be interested to know if there are any testing done to determine if these units actually do function perfectly beyond that time limit.

Airtec doesn't buy them back for nothing. Part of it may be to discourage jumpers from using them past the deadline, but I'd expect some of them get looked at.

If Vigil's 20 year lifespan pans out and continues to be a key marketing point, Airtec will have to know if they can extend their's as well.

[councilman24 37]

To further expand;

Under U.S. law you can legally jump without an Automatic Activation Device (AAD, cypres is one brand) but not with an expired one (one that has not been maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions). BUT, many dropzones and governments or parachute organizations in other countries have imposed their own rules. Many dropzones require an AAD.

In addition not all AAD's are authorized to be installed in all containers by their manufacturers. AFAIK a Cypres brand AAD by Airtec is authorized in all modern rigs. Authorization for the installation of other AADs varies. Please check with your rigger or the harness/container manufacturer for the ability to use other AAD in a particular brand H/C.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[jakee 1,595]

The most ancient living Cypress is located in Abarkooh, near Shiraz. Its age is estimated to be approximately 5000 years.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[drudchen 0]

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Airtec doesn't buy them back for nothing.

Does Airtec commonly reuse some of the components?

I just got my 1999 Cypres back from the 8 year maintenance. Apparently, they replaced the cutter, but I was surprised to see that the date on the cutter is 1998. So, technically, when my cypres will be 12 years old (within the service life), the cutter will be 13? Is this OK?

[billeisele 130]

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Airtec doesn't buy them back for nothing.

Does Airtec commonly reuse some of the components?


I'm wondering the same thing. Mine goes out in August. Seems like there must still be some value.

Give one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws.

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[tdog 0]

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Airtec doesn't buy them back for nothing.

Does Airtec commonly reuse some of the components?


I'm wondering the same thing. Mine goes out in August. Seems like there must still be some value.

Not that I know of, it would be unethical to resell 12 year old components as new. I think they want to see how their components did in the field, and it is good marketing to insure you buy another unit from them and not those pesky competitors.

[Krip 2]

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Airtec doesn't buy them back for nothing.

Does Airtec commonly reuse some of the components?

I just got my 1999 Cypres back from the 8 year maintenance. Apparently, they replaced the cutter, but I was surprised to see that the date on the cutter is 1998. So, technically, when my cypres will be 12 years old (within the service life), the cutter will be 13? Is this OK?

Check the airtech/ssk websight for the real answer

[riggerrob 643]

13 year old Cypres will probably fired when promised, but then we get into the whole "bath tub" curve of reliability of electronic components.
At some point 10-12 - 15-18-20-22(?) years, they start to fail more often.
Somewhere - early in the upward slope, the manufacturer has to decide on a "retirement" age for electronic gadgets.

A second factor is the impossibility of predicting how many times the rig has been dropped on concrete , over-heated, zapped by static electricity, etc.
Even one drop on concrete is enough to ruin a Cypres.
Corrosion rates vary widely, depending upon temperature, humidity, salt contamination, iron oxide contamination, weird types of airborne chemicals, etc. all very difficult to predict.

A third factor is the impossibility of buying replacement parts for electronic gadgets that were designed 17-ish years ago.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I just got my 1999 Cypres back from the 8 year maintenance. Apparently, they replaced the cutter, but I was surprised to see that the date on the cutter is 1998. So, technically, when my cypres will be 12 years old (within the service life), the cutter will be 13? Is this OK?

I thought the lifetime requirement applied to all components, so I'd ask further about that, for both legal and safety reasons.

[riggerrob 643]

Odd!
I thought all components had to be less than 12 years old, if you wanted to keep a Cypres in service.

[tuffyjensen 0]

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I just got my 1999 Cypres back from the 8 year maintenance. Apparently, they replaced the cutter, but I was surprised to see that the date on the cutter is 1998. So, technically, when my cypres will be 12 years old (within the service life), the cutter will be 13? Is this OK?

This is straight from the cypres link posted for the trade in of an expired cypres http://www.cypresusa.com/...In_customers_USA.pdf

5. Cutters are also affected by the life time regulation. Due to the production process, the original cutter(s) can be slightly older than the cypres itself. These cutters are airworthy until the unit reaches the age of 12 years + 3 months

6. The life time regulation of 12 years + 3 months is also valid for cutters. The important fact is the date on the cutter. If you want to keep an already used one, please send them in (via your dealer) for a free of charge check up. This inspection will assure that the cutters are not damaged (cable,shielding, etc.)***

Be Safe and Have Fun, in that order!
Tuffy