TrojanHorse

Absolutely, as we wrote before, you will be continuously updated about the successes, flaws and solutions... William

Hi Skyhigh, You must be mistaken. At the Argus site is mentioned 01 October 2005 and only when we are satisfied with the outcome of all our test phases (drop tests, independent laboratory tests, evaluation jumps…). We want to avoid making the mistake of launching a product that is actually still in the development stage… Warm regards, William To all: I am willing to answer all your questions. I will however not answer any questions that are directly related to sales. (The Gear & Rigging forum is -by my opinion- not the appropriate place to do so)

Wow, gentlemen all those theories! In all honesty it is just a coincidence. Looking back, the only link (eye wise) we might think of could be: An eye for an eye...http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/31800.html And even that is not our style, we prefer to LOOK at the future only William

Thanks Bart Headache??

Touché! But in those days (and we don't mind to admit) were quite some emotions involved resulting in an impulsive response (we are only human...) For the rest, we work hard to meet our claim regards, William

In France an aad is mandatory. There is however neither a type nor any aad norm set. Obviously, jumping a prototype does not mean that you should do “regular” skydives with them. The safety of the aeroplane, fellow passengers and skydivers is your no 1 concern. (no relative work, students, tandem...) FYI also in the past Maubeuge was used for several testing programmes (I took part in several of them). Thanks, we keep you informed William

Real one in my rig (actually we have several) Not taking into account the improvements it looks like most aads that work according to the principle of cutting the loop (box, cutter, display). Correct. Next update 1 March 2005 (As we also wrote on the site.) William

I was able to (did at first overlook the box with other...) FYI I jump one of the Argus prototypes. William

Hello Anton, Yes, at that time I worked for B&B Controls, the company that produced the Vigil on behalf of AAD nv/sa. I left the company a bit over a year ago kind regards, William

Standard: 885ft (270 meters) at a fall rate of 78 mph (35 m/sec) Novice: 1050 feet (320 meters) at a fall rate of 45 mph (20m/sec) Tandem: 2050 feet (625meter) at a fall rate of 78 mph (35 m/sec) Swoop: patent pending (I'll keep you informed about that one...) William

Hi Adrian, I don’t think we are claiming too much. If you decide in this business (like in any other) to develop a certain product, your aim should be to make it superior to similar products that are already available. The “bold” statement is based upon what we want to achieve. So far the outcome of the tests with our prototypes makes us feel good. For the coming 9 months you can -via the Argus Website- update yourself about where we stand. You will be informed about the testing programme and their outcome (our successes and –without any doubt- flaws). I don’t think flaws can be fully avoided (that’s where a testing phase is for), it is a matter how you handle them. We’ve chosen for transparency. William

If the customer wish so or local regulations demand that, yes. Go to profiles and try to add a non listed aad. William

Hi Rob, The Argus will be delivered in a single (Standard) mode -885ft (270 meters) at a fall rate of 78-mph (35 m/sec)-. It is optional to install - per mode – extra software for novice, tandem or swoop. Only than you will be able to convert between modes. BTW installing these extra modes is a rigger’s job. The majority (±85%) of the skydivers will use the device in the Standard mode and will have no interest to install an extra mode. (Therefore will the majority of skydivers in a moment of boredom not be able to…) Those who are interested in extending the number of modes might be skydiving schools, tandemmasters and hardcore swoopers. I.e. (semi-) professionals who are (just like the vast majority of all skydivers) aware that such devices are no toys. Adjustment by altitude, language and readings (metric/feet) is possible in every mode (obvious). Our utmost concern is parachuting safety (and this since 1993). Therefore we fully agree with you that making the conversion process only accessible to a rigger would be the best. However, the customer wants that (when more than one mode is installed), he/she can make the conversion by her/himself. We’ve chosen for a solution somewhere in the middle by limiting access for a large percentage of the general skydiving community, who are not interested in an extra mode anyhow. (Perhaps with the exception to play with on rainy days…) Bill Booth wrote in 2003 a nice article about the (conflicting) relation between parachuting safety and market demand (see link). I’m afraid that dilemmas like these will remain forever. Greetz William Project Argus http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=19