schwede

Then is the question.. How could the germans "approve" it then? If you still are trying to get in touch with them in Austria? Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Perhaps you could say something about these issues then; The Swedish Materiel and Equipment committee has tested 3 Vigils, first one "beta unit" and later on two of the latest revision and we have decided not to approve it because of the following reasons. A) We think the tolerances are too wide. The manual claims +/- 80 meter for the firing altitude. This is not accurate enough in our opinion. The first device that we measured also did not meet the company's own specifications, i.e., the device fired outside the given (already large) tolerances. We later did more measurements on 2 separate units which Advanced Aerospace Design sent us. This time the tolerances were acceptable. However, we still feel that a bracket of 160 meter around the predetermined firing altitude is too much. B) We feel that the statement that the Vigil has an unlimited life time is unrealistic. Electronic components age. Especially in such a harsh environment as being used in a rig that is subject to very varying temperatures, vibrations, etc., this claim is simply not true. To us, this is not something a serious producer of a life-saving device promises. This in combination with the fact that no periodic maintenance is mandated in not acceptable. C) We have our doubts when it comes to the sensitivity to moisture. The box is not sealed with a rubber gasket and all the compo- nents are in open air once the box has been opened. This may prove not to be an issue but we don't think enough precautions have been taken. D) We don't think the electronics are mechanically shielded enough. It is fairly easy to damage the electronics while replacing the battery or the cutter. Some people *will* remove the circuit board when the unit is open and may cause all sorts of damage. E) The problem with sensitivity to electrostatic discharges may have been solved but there are still other issues with the electronics construction that we think are sub-standard. For example, the fact that the manual says that the unit can get stuck in some state where you have to open the unit and tempo- rarily remove the battery in order to make it work again. This is kind of like rebooting your computer by unplugging the power supply and indicates an electronics design that is flawed. F) There are other, recently added, notes in the manual that are really strange. Firstly, you are now strongly discouraged from using a negative landing altitude adjustment. That is, you can no longer adjust the Vigil for a landing altitude below the take off altitude. This was okay before. We recently did some tests on the scenario when you adjust for a *higher* landing altitude and the Vigil cannot handle that correctly either. The Vigil appears to have a problem knowing where the "zero-level" is when you do these types of adjustments. For example, if you adjust the unit to a landing altitude that is, say, 300 meters above your take-off altitude. Fly up well above this altitude but cancel the jump (clouds!) and go back down with the plane. The Vigil then fires when you pass the 300 meter level (intended landing site) if you exceed only 20 m/s in descent rate. You are also strongly recommended to turn the unit off if you are descending with the airplane, even if you are using it in "Pro" mode. This was okay before. Not very convenient. These two remarks clearly indicate that they have not been able to develop algorithms that are good enough to handle these situations. Simply put, the code in the unit is not ready yet! G) When discussing the tolerances and the firing altitude with people at Advanced Aerospace Design they claimed that the unit has to fire 80 meters above the desired activation altitude in order to compensate for "the burble on the back". This is simply a ridiculous statement and just shows to us that they have not done their signal-processing homework yet. If their statement were true, how would the unit work for a tumbling jumper or one in a head down position? It all just does not add up and shows that they haven't figured out the signal processing yet. H) We also see a slight problem with the "3 units in one" concept. Either you have a student that by accident happens to turn his Vigil on in the Pro mode, which will make it fire much too low. Or, perhaps worse, you have an experienced jumper who accidentally turns his unit on in "student" mode and is surprised by a rather unexpected activation up high. The "three in one"-concept is a design choice made by Advanced Aerospace Design and some people may argue it's a good one. We simply see a potential problem here that needs to be addressed in some way. This alone does not stop the Vigil from being type approved, we are just pointing it out. I) Finally, a note on the mounting of the units in the rigs. It is not adequate to simply say that the same mounting that works with the Cypres works with the Vigil since AAD claims that *any* type Spectra loop can be used. There were problems in the past with this and that is why there is the "Cypres loop" material available now. J) AAD says that they are constantly improving the design and fixing any problems. However, with no mandatory service interval there is no procedure for updating all units in the field. With the exception of the total recall this spring due to a severe problem with sensitivity to electrostatic discharges, a unit that is out there does not get updated. However, AAD keeps updating the on-line manual for the Vigil, imposing more restrictions on how it can be used. This information is not relayed directly to customers in the field. What was okay to do one week may all of a sudden be "strongly discouraged" the next week and the only way to know is to keep checking the on-line manual. Obviously Aerospace don't find the swedish market interesting as they do not return on the questions and remarks raised by the committee.. All help appreciated.. Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

yeah, 1600 km away from my girl... Single life is hard.... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

That rocks..

could have, would have but I got a new toy at home Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Yes I have... It really is... I lived in Germany for 10 years and can still read and speak the lingo..But writing is not my strong side... So the work on the translation is good...

www.bluesky.se Clicky... They are the best....... Bara för dig Martin.... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

The translation is great.. of the document. Thanks for the effort of doing it... So now even Kim can read it...and understand it.. Have to agree with Ron.. We need competion and alternatives on the market and I think that is why this subject attract so many views. All I can hope for is that Vigil Aerospace really, really look into it and come up with a good answer... I'm still holding out as my Cypres died of old age last year and I wanna have a new AAD that will keep it promises.. "no need of any other AAD during my skydiving career".. Kim, please put a burner on the belgians behinds so that there will be a solution soon on the serious problems of the unit. Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

What I for certain know is that here in Sweden it is not allowed to be used. They have to many deficits and continue avoiding to address the technical issues which our Technical & Safety Board have raised. In Austria I do also believe it is not allowed to be used..According the information that I have... But It would be interesting to know which countries have approved this unit to be used, so far... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

CASA BOOGIE AQABA CITY OF JORDAN 19-24 OCTOBER 2004 We offer jumping from Casa at the high of 4000 meters all day. What's more you have the possibility to jump at the high of 5000 meters for the first and the last jump each day. A jump costs 17 USD but if you buy 50 tickets at the same time we give discount: a jump costs only 15 USD. You can spend unforgettable 10 days on the Red Sea coast, in a mysterious and beautiful country, in Jordan. Jumping above the desert Wadi Rum and Aqaba, from where you can see 4 countries at the same time, gives you joy and a great experience. The Royal Aero Sports Club of Jordan was established in 1997 under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to promite air sports in Jordan. The Club offers you a wide range of aero sports and is the only active club in the Arab World. The Club moved into a new building this summer. There is a packing-room, a bufe, a sitting-room, a storage-room and office rooms to give you all comfort and each is air-conditioned. From sunrise to sunset every day of the year you have the possibility for jumping. For more info contact: Petren Péter Chief instructor petrenp@freemail.hu Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Luckily the LZ is higher then the starting area, according to the Vigil handbook you can't set it to the opposite situation.. i.e if the LZ is lower then the starting point.... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Badlock is right... You've recieved the letter from Germany too... So what is the problem...It is better to be open about that you have technical difficulties and also to be honest about your situation..instead of coming out with statements that are not true.. THAT will only hurt you and the confidence in your products.. I think I am not the only one that want to see a competetive market in AAD's, but also the complete skydiving community... So be honest, solve your problems and you will see that we will buy it when the time comes... And the remarks that the german technical committee had.. they are interesting..and scary... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

What I have heard; Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria among others...Or have you more up to date info... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Hmmm, you never been at the Swedish Herc boogie!!!! Loading takes 1 minute to 2 min from 1st person on the tailgate until the last is seated and the tail is closed. 4 min to altitude 13500 ft 4-5 min to jumprun... Slow??? your kidding.. OK we are lucky to have a very good cooperation with the swedish military as we are a small country, but the norwegians have the same nice cooperation.. They even hav fundraising boogies together with the military C130... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Well, thats nice to see them active on the commercial side but what is going on the technical side?? Why is Vigil still banned in most european countries?? Have they for example answered the Swedish safety committee and made the changes required or even answered the questions? Would love to see more technical input on the site.. and why not state all the countries that are today approving the use of Vigil??? I love competition in this side.. The sport can only continue to develope with competition... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Thailand, after the crash of the Islander things has been slow.. But now they are optimistic to start over again.. Stay tuned to: www.pattayaairpark.com Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Still no word from the military about the next Herc Boogie.. But we had a blast this time with over 1200 people visiting us... (626 jumpers). U hang in there Kim, U'll do fine.. And Yr boyfriend is a friendly bloke.. Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Does anyone have the latest on the VIGIL and if they haved solved the problems with it??? www.vigil.aero doesn't give you any news since 1st of June 2004 and that is nothing to do what have been discussed in this thread.... Interested still but it's fading...Would hate to see that we would missout on competition on this market, due to that Vigil was to early on the market before their AAD was ready... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

C175 C182 C206 C207 C Caravan C Grand Caravan Single Otter Twin Otter Beaver Nomad Norman Islander Pilatus Porter Skyvan DC3 AN 2 AN 28 LET 410 DO 27 DO 28 G 222 C 130 Sikorsky chopper I think that was the most of them..... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Well I thought Sweden had a chance with all the stars from NHL in their team... But hell noooo.. They got their asses hot buy the Czech's So now I think that the Canuck's will win... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

So what you all say; is have the plane in nose down position when exiting in order to raise the tail? OK... You can see that easy before climb out.. but then?? When you are hanging there??? Waiting for the group to exit... Hasn't anybody done 8-way or bigger out of this aircraft??? and have commments about it.. Highly appreciated.. Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Yeah JP... Here it is... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Of course SEX is good... But why havent this been accepted instead of all the religions we have, tearing the world apart since more then 2000 years... More sex to the people and less religion.... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Sooo, U did a WS jump out of it??? I believe that you should drop yourself from the plane and not do the big Jump-up-out of it? Had some people from our club at Bad Lippspringe last week checking out the Swiss machine and they were all very pleased with the performance and exits from the plane... Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"

Thank you for that clarification... We have the intention to purchase one for the next season.. and suddenly someone told us about this incident.... Do you have any information at all??? Schwede "Das Leben ist schön, nicht immer aber immer öfter"