TrojanHorse

Hi Jason, Can you tell me what your concern is about the g forces, hard landings and the relation with the batteries (and/or connection)? Thanks, William

The unit sensed a problem of extreme varieties during start up. This can be caused due to local conditions/ circumstances or there is indeed something wrong. If the unit remains in an endless loop we don’t want just any user to be able to reset it him/herself and eventually trying to bypass a potential danger. If a reset via the push on the button for 4-5 seconds doesn ’t work and disconnecting the remote control neither, in most countries a parachute technician, the unit has to be returned for inspection. The unit shows permanent errors on the screen before it switches itself automatically off. For example if the sensor is broken it shows the word SENSOR and a triangle with an exclamation mark. You are right concerning the manual; we should put more attention to the start up conditions (this will be done in the next update). Warm regards, William

Roughly we expect around 125$ including batteries. But again it depends upon the service center and the hourly rate. Warm regards, William

Hi Brett, The unit reads during start up some unusual facts (in such a short time frame of 20 seconds). The cause can indeed be stress on the rig (it is after all just a cushion of parachute material and a lot of air that can be compressed) Wind gusts? Maybe a strong one can leave indeed enough vacuum after the drift. Strong turbulence can also be a cause. During start up the unit is extra sensitive, necessary to get an exact as possible calibration. During the skydive several filters avoid that (as you can have hundreds of unusual peaks on one jump) But at switch on, you want pure clean conditions for your settings. Warm regards, William

Hi Brett, No firmware bug but protection. During the switch on process the unit is also for the first time calibrated. When during this process the varieties are too big in a very short period of time (we’ re talking about 20 seconds here), the unit will not continue its self test (after all it detected something unusual). Let’s start that what happened here is a very rare event that hardly ever occurs in the field (this is the first time I heard of) and is a non issue. I knew about the freezing display from the factory where the units are obviously not packed in a container and is the reset easy to carry out. Here it happened for once in the field and even than the “problem” was able to be solved without opening the reserve container. We do not hope something sorts itself out. We are a responsible company and this is also why I called immediately last Saturday to the dropzone to find out if it was what I already thought it was. William Aviacom/ Argus

Hi Jason, The current CR 123 is as reliable as the other brand batteries in use. Don't understand me wrong any battery can fail. You must have a system in place that detects this well in time. The solution for the problem described was because the unit did not complete the self test (had nothing to do with the power supply). We all read in this forum about the recent incidents with AADs misfiring. The only advice given for a self test not completed is: don't jump it. In this case however, the Argus completed afterwards the self test at least two more times successful (after being switched off and on again). The screen can freeze due to a sudden change in air pressure during switch on. This is for the field a very rare event. During tests in the factory this happens more often as we have sudden pressure changes there all the time (part of the testing program). In such a case is a trouble shooting solution as unplugging and reconnecting the display for a few seconds the best, easiest and safe to do. More about the tests or the batteries you can find in our design and test report (please see link below) Warm regards, William Aviacom/ Argus http://argus-aad.connexeon.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189&Itemid=45

What the cost will be of the 4 year inspection depends on where it will be performed (I speak here globally) and what the hourly rate is (differs per country). The first units due for service come back in April 2010. Bearing in mind the current economical situation I honestly cannot answer how much it will be in 2 years. We have chosen for a system with several local service centers near the users. By doing so, we keep costs and turn around time as low as possible. The 4 year inspection is done to assure that the unit remains in good working order. If we during one of these inspections discover that the unit is not up to the set standard anymore it has to be repaired or replaced. The unit is designed to last longer than 12 years but (just like any other piece of electronics) you may have a unit that ceases operation sooner. By normal use we replace (or repair) than free of charge. normal use is that youtreated the AAD well (battery change in time, 4 yearly inspection carried out, by water landing filters in time replaced etc.) William

Hi, By tests (including artificial aging) we could determine that the lifetime expectancy is at least 12 years. How the unit is handled during that period can have an influence on the life time. The Argus has a 4 yearly mandatory inspection cycle. Amongst other things will performance data be compared with the performance data during production. All data has to remain within the set parameters. If so and if the rest of the inspection is OK, the unit will be released. By this process is also future use taken into consideration. I.e the unit might perform well at present but also an acceptable (safe) performance must be guaranteed over the whole next 4 years. For more in depth info you can download our Design and Test report (see link below) The nearest service center for you will be Chuting Star in Atlanta. In the near future more service centers across the USA will be opened. Anyhow this was a good reminder to update our FAQ section Warm regards, William Aviacom/ Argus http://argus-aad.connexeon.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=189&Itemid=45

Hi Sean PM me your phone number or check your pm for mine. Seems easy to solve. Warm regards, William Argus

An Experimental unit of Aviacom activated last Sunday in Spa at an altitude of 3680m (12076ft). The unit was installed in an Argus test-rig used by Mr. Goorts. This model is not commercially available. We do these tests for your safety. William, Argus

problem solved it seems William Argus

No objection. Most premature firing on FXCs are due to a lack of maintenance (its fine mechanics that need a close look at on a regular basis). Also an important factor is to check your FXC after a lower than normal opening (nowadays) between 1500 and 2000ft. (Check pin-pull cable for tension.) William

Hi Paul, The incident took place at Gold Coast Skydivers on Sunday 8th of October. The activation was at ± 9000ft. and caused by a broken sensor. Unit had as DOM April 2006. Action taken: Visit (3 days after the incident) to Gold Coast Skydivers. The unit was at the DZ checked, opened and info downloaded –all being witnessed by the DZ manager. The outcome was the above. As precaution all further units of that batch (10 units of April 2006) were immediately replaced. More strict quality control by -for example extra vibration and burn in tests- on all produced units plus a more in depth sensor check (SW) should prevent this in the future. (Both have BTW already been implemented since our SB of May 29 2006) The reason of the mis-activation was quickly determined and appropriate action was taken. William

The Argus is approved by Rigging Innovations. The RI website just need to be updated. The statement at the RWS website had to do with the word compatibility in the letter from RWS, making RWS more or less responsible for the correct functioning of the Argus (which is obviously not a responsibility they can take). This is by that message been straightened out. William Argus

Hi, We do have an approved two pin Argus. I agree the website has urgently to be updated ( this is actually planned) for coming week. Warm regards, William

Argus will have a registration card coming with ser. no., date of manufacturing, software-version etc. The 4 year count starts after the first switch on (not included testing). In reality this means that the 4 year count starts after installation. William

The Argus requires a mandatory check-up each four years. This functional check-up can be performed by your local rigger, if he has the right equipment (pressure chamber) and training. After this check up he/she is supposed to download the jump data and send these to Argus. In the log we can read the (mandatory) pressure chamber tests performed and at which date these took place. Anyone who wants to buy a second hand Argus (or any other reason) can check with the company if this information has been received and what the outcome was. William

Another nice site is the one from ParaFlite: http://www.airbornesystemsgroup.com/paraflite.html William

Yes they exist. I do not know however, if they are still in use. It is anyhow not very much recommended as with a pull-out system you actually pull out the pin of the closing loop (meaning your container is open). You can imagine what will happen if you hold the pilot chute and your bag decide to leave the container already… BTW holding your pilot chute is NEVER recommended as the scenario above can also occur with a hand deploy (the drag on the bridle can in some cases be strong enough to unhook your pin too…) William

Hi Nate, The Argus will have altitude adjustment features, by which you can adjust your activation altitude to, let’s say, 1050 feet instead of the standard 885 feet. This will have no influence on the speed of 78mph. (BTW, these features can also be found in other modern day aads.) I do however strongly recommend asking for advice first to your DZ staff before doing so and if yes how to do it correctly (It is tricky, especially in the beginning, and I’ve seen even very experienced skydivers screwing up. However, amongst them were no missile technicians…) I wish you many more great jumps in sunny San Diego. Blue skies, William

Hi Ton, Nice sentence you created there. The increased reliability is due to the multi-sensor concept. I can unfortunately not reveal much more at this time as this is one of several patent pending features. The redundant architecture has to do with the total design of the Argus (strength) from control unit, cables, display and cutter (the latter also pat. pending). I hope you understand that for now we can not give you much more in depth information. I wrote before that we believe in transparency. Currently, we are however, bound to these legal issues and are therefore not able to answer some of your questions immediately. Please allow us 6-8 weeks to bring these in order (anyhow before the release of the evaluation units). After that this (open) question will probably already be answered via our website. If not –or not to your satisfaction- please feel free to remind me via DZ.COM or send me an email. William

Myth, If conditions are good and you find it back quite rapidly it will do just fine f111 or Zero P alike. It might have to do with the fact that caused the bag lock. I.e a bad pack job and because of that canopy damage...

Dear JOhan: NO. Or do you mean the aluminum case? That case will open in one of the coming updates. Please, don't be so impatient... More indepth BS next month… ***Must be crazy to become an evaluator*** Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

To avoid any misunderstandings: All evaluation units will be for free (summer 2005). You should not pay to become a guinea pig… The intro price of 699 Euros is for all who orders a unit from the 1st of October 2005 on. These will be standard production units that will only become available as all test phases on prototypes and evaluation units are successful. William PS the evaluation units are available for riggers, parachute associations and professional skydivers. If you think you will comply, please feel free to fill out the evaluation form on http://www.argus-aad.com/evalUnit.asp

We will. BTW looking forward to your questions... Groeten, William