New AAD

[ChileRelleno 0]

The new AAD on the market "Vigil" has a "NICE" full page ad on pg.2 in Parachutist.
I've read the product comparison in Skydiving and a few others and it seems to be a firstrate AAD, I hope it can establish a safety/reliabilty record as awesome as Cypres.
Give them a real competitor in the market.

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[Faber 0]

yes that could be healthy

Stay safe
Stefan Faber

[kevin922 0]

i don't have my parachutist handy, what was the URL for that again?

[ChileRelleno 0]

www.vigil.aero

"NICE!"

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[Jib 0]

It figures I just ordered a Cypress.
But, how many riggers do you think are going to spring for the testing unit?

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[ChileRelleno 0]

Looks real "NICE", don't it?

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[PhreeZone 20]

Only thing I don't like on it is:

Is annual rigger check necessary?
I thought the functionality do not have to be checked by riggers? So why should the riggers buy this module and software? The rigger can buy an IR bi-directional communications module and associated software. This costs 521 EUR. It is made for riggers to check the functionalities. This depends local legislation if it is necessary. We advise to do an annual check I read that a rigger should check the Vigil yearly. Is this mandatory or is it OK to continue to jump when the unit shows no signs of problems? Riggers can do an annual check in a pressure chamber and results can be downloaded through the IR port and a report can be printed. No need to return the unit to a factory. Most countries have an annual inspection program for parachutes. It can be done together with these tests.


So instead of doing factory checks your rigger will be doing the checks and has to buy the hardware to test with. Can you say passing the cost back to the customer still?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mnischalke 0]

I think the best part will come if there's a bit of competition in the prices of these units. Cypres has ruled the market. They dictate the market price. It is very much near the top end of what the market will bear.

It seems to me, the competition is already rolling. Is there anything wrong with the Cypres that really warranted the issue of the Cypress 2? It sure does fix some of the added costs of an AAD. Was that in response to the vigil?

I think a little competition will be nice to see, as long as both companies maintain high standards and continually research and develop their products.

I for one am giving serious consideration to replacing a 6-month old cypress with a Vigil when they become available.

mike

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills--You know, like nunchuk skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills.

[andy2 0]

heard a report of a misfire already in france where theyre testing it mainly. Maybe its just a coincidence, I'd like to see another reliable AAD out there.

---------------------------------------------
let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[Remster 30]

Well, if we're now talking misfires, I have read today that over the weekend, an Astra fired after 5 second into a dive (at 11000 feet).....

more info in french here:
http://www.freefly.ca/nouvelle.php?noNews=239

Remster

[ChileRelleno 0]

Quote

So instead of doing factory checks your rigger will be doing the checks and has to buy the hardware to test with. Can you say passing the cost back to the customer still?

Correct me if I'm wrong but if the manufacturer doesn't "require" checks/maintenance as Cypes does then it doesn't "have" to be checked. Unless the FAA was to say that all AAD's regardless of manufacturers spec's must be checked annually or whatnot.

Quote

This depends local legislation if it is necessary. We advise to do an annual check I read that a rigger should check the Vigil yearly. Is this mandatory or is it OK to continue to jump when the unit shows no signs of problems? Riggers can do an annual check in a pressure chamber and results can be downloaded through the IR port and a report can be printed. No need to return the unit to a factory. Most countries have an annual inspection program for parachutes. It can be done together with these tests.

Quote

This depends local legislation if it is necessary. We advise to do an annual check I read that a rigger should check the Vigil yearly.

Advise not require.

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[Jib 0]

It seems like a little more than a suggestion. How can the accuracy of a computer's inputs be guaranteed without testing? Do you really want to rely on something to save your ass that isn't quite accurate after a few years?

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[Hooknswoop 19]

The Final Ruling was released on May 9, 2001 to part 105 and included in the changes was the addition of:

(Under) "§105.43 Use of single-harness, dual-parachute systems.

(c) If installed, the automatic activation device must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions for that automatic activation device."

From Advanced Aerospace Design's web page:

"Is annual rigger check necessary?
I thought the functionality do not have to be checked by riggers? So why should the riggers buy this module and software? The rigger can buy an IR bi-directional communications module and associated software. This costs 521 EUR. It is made for riggers to check the functionalities. This depends local legislation if it is necessary. We advise to do an annual check I read that a rigger should check the Vigil yearly. Is this mandatory or is it OK to continue to jump when the unit shows no signs of problems? Riggers can do an annual check in a pressure chamber and results can be downloaded through the IR port and a report can be printed. No need to return the unit to a factory. Most countries have an annual inspection program for parachutes. It can be done together with these tests."

So the question is: "Does ' We advise to do an annual check' equate to 'manufacturer instructions'?"

If Advanced Aerospace Design wants to sell the vigil in the U.S., they should make it absolutely clear if the annual check is 'manufacturer instructions' or not.

As a rigger, I would have to assume that the annual check is required. I also have no intentions of buying a 521 Euro test kit.

Hook

[ChileRelleno 0]

Quote

Do you really want to rely on something to save your ass that isn't quite accurate after a few years?

Oh no doubt about it, I would want to have it tested or get the data from a "firing".
But who said it wouldn't be inaccurate after a few years? Heck the Cypres goes four (4) years before testing...

The whole deal boils down to if testing is mandatory on the unit.
Yes, some cost will come back at the consumer if riggers have to buy testing units.
But... it'll probably cost less, have less downtime and be easier than having to ship it off very four (4) years.
Alot of rigging lofts would/will would very likely buy them whether or not, just to offer the service to their cutsomers as a full service loft.
Then again the manufacturer may do as others do and hit the boogies offering free testing ect... That would be very "NICE!"

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[ChileRelleno 0]

Quote

So the question is: "Does ' We advise to do an annual check' equate to 'manufacturer instructions'?"

If Advanced Aerospace Design wants to sell the vigil in the U.S., they should make it absolutely clear if the annual check is 'manufacturer instructions' or not.

I concur.

Quote

As a rigger, I would have to assume that the annual check is required. I also have no intentions of buying a 521 Euro test kit.

Do you think if they were in fairly widspread use that someone with a full service loft in your area/region would buy one? Say someone like Cass out in Calhan@Frontrange?

ChileRelleno-Rodriguez Bro#414
Hellfish#511,MuffBro#3532,AnvilBro#9, D24868

[Hooknswoop 19]

Quote

Do you think if they were in fairly widspread use that someone with a full service loft in your area/region would buy one?

I think it comes down to simple economics. How many are in local use? How many would be brought into the loft? How much can be charged for each service? And calculate the amount of time required to re-coup the investment to determine if it is worth it or not. Have 3 people call me wanting the service at $200.00 each, and I'd be on the phone ordering a test kit very quickly.

If the annual test is going to be required, I think it will hurt their U.S. sales. No one will want to buy one and have to send it to Belgium to get it serviced every year, and a local rigger won't buy a test kit until enough of them are in local use. The chicken and the egg question.

Hook