Air TEc CYPRES User manual

Cypres
User’s Guide

MILITARY CYPRES USER'S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 1
C ngratulati ns n y ur ch ice f CYPRES, the safest and m st accurate AAD
currently available. CYPRES is the nly c mpletely electr nic aut matic pener n
the market, as well as the smallest and the lightest.
Like m st parachutists, y u pr bably assume y u will always have time t depl y
y ur reserve can py y urself, and that situati ns requiring use f an aut matic
pener always happen t thers. We d h pe that y u will never have such tr uble,
and that y ur CYPRES will never have t take acti n t save y ur life.
Sh uld CYPRES ever have t pen y ur reserve, it will m st pr bably happen at a
m ment which justifies, n matter h w experienced and cauti us y u are, that y u
haven't left y ur safety t chance.
Airtec GmbH, Safety Systems
Ce manuel est disp nible en français.

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Contents
1. Functi n ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Design phil s phy ........................................................................................ 4
1.2 C mp nents ................................................................................................. 5
1.3 H w CYPRES w rks ................................................................................... 6
1.4 Energy supply .............................................................................................. 8
1.5 Operati nal safety ....................................................................................... 9
2. Pr duct Overview ...................................................................................... 10
2.1 Military CYPRES versi ns ........................................................................... 11
3. Installati n .................................................................................................. 12
3.1 Pr cessing unit .......................................................................................... 13
3.2 Release unit ............................................................................................... 14
3.3 C ntr l unit ................................................................................................. 15
4. H w t Operate CYPRES .......................................................................... 18
4.1 Handling the c ntr l unit ............................................................................ 18
4.2 Switching CYPRES n ............................................................................... 19
4.3 When t switch n r re-set ..................................................................... 21
4.4 Changing altitude reference ...................................................................... 22
4.4.1 Changing altitude reference (relative adjustment meth d) ....................... 22
4.4.1.1 Example f altitude adjustment in aircraft .....................................................
(Military CYPRES with relative adjustment meth d) .................................. 24
4.4.1.2 Altitude adjustment using the calculat r .......................................................
(relative adjustment meth d) ..................................................................... 25
4.4.2 Changing altitude reference (abs lute adjustment meth d) ..................... 27
4.4.2.1 Example f altitude adjustment in aircraft .....................................................
(Military CYPRES with abs lute adjustment meth d) ................................ 29
4.4.2.2 Altitude adjustment using the calculat r .......................................................
(abs lute adjustment meth d) ................................................................... 30
4.5 CYPRES and water jumps ......................................................................... 32
4.5.1 The CYPRES Water Resistant Kit .............................................................. 32
5. Err rs Display ............................................................................................ 33
6. Maintenance ............................................................................................... 34
6.1 Rem val f the unit .................................................................................... 34
6.2 Replacing battery ....................................................................................... 35
6.3 Changing the release unit .......................................................................... 39
6.4 Technical service ....................................................................................... 40
7. Imp rtant N tes .......................................................................................... 41
7.1 Imp rtant n tes f r the standard m de ..................................................... 41
7.1.2 Imp rtant n tes f r users .......................................................................... 41
7.2 Imp rtant n tes f r the special m de ........................................................ 42
7.2.1 Imp rtant n tes f r jump pil ts .................................................................. 42
7.2.2 F r the user ............................................................................................... 42

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8. Repacking f Reserves ............................................................................. 43
8.1 Packing f ne-pin reserve c ntainers ..................................................... 45
8.2 Packing f tw -pin reserve c ntainers .................................................... 47
8.3 Packing f ne-pin P p T p reserve c ntainers ....................................... 48
8.4 Packing f tw -pin P p T p reserve c ntainers ...................................... 49
8.4.1 Additi nal n tes t the Racer and Racer Elite ........................................... 55
9. Abbreviated User's Guide ......................................................................... 56
10. Changing the C ntainer ............................................................................. 57
11. Regarding Air Travel .................................................................................. 58
12. Technical Data ............................................................................................ 59
13. Guarantee .................................................................................................. 61
14. Electr magnetic c mpatibility ..................................................................... 62
15. Disclaimer ................................................................................................... 63
16. Key W rds ................................................................................................. 64
17. Packing List ................................................................................................ 67
Trade Marks ............................................................................................... 68

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1. Function
1.1 Design philosophy
The name "CYPRES" is an abbreviati n f "Cybernetic Parachute Release System".
It is designed t pen the reserve c ntainer five sec nds bef re impact, after
everything else has failed. Once installed in a rig, it neither takes up much space, n r
is its weight w rth menti ning. It is invisible and inaudible. Handling CYPRES d es n t
require any time-wasting m ti ns at all, and verifying its functi n is quickly d ne and
simple.
The Military CYPRES family has the same basic functi n f the civilian versi ns, but
with an easier meth d t set altitude adjustments t acc m date the specific
needs f special applicati n parachutes such as sm ke jumpers, pil ts, and military.
Switching the Military CYPRES n and d ing an altitude adjustment, i.e. entering the
air pressure difference between setting p int and dr p z ne manually, makes the unit
change t the special m de which pr vides extended perati n p ssibilities f r special
applicati ns. The altitude adjustment is explained in ne f the f ll wing chapters.
CYPRES is an invisible guardian f r days, weeks and years. It is designed t pen
y ur reserve c ntainer if y ur rate f descent is higher than 78 miles per h ur (35
meters per sec nd) at sea level as y u pass thr ugh an altitude f appr x. 1000 feet
ab ve gr und level. Als , if y u are l wer and descending at a rate f m re than 78
mph (e.g. because f a l w cutaway) r if CYPRES is w rking in special m de, if y ur
rate f descent is higher than tw third f freefallspeed. CYPRES is designed t pen
y ur reserve c ntainer d wn t 130 feet ab ve gr und level.
An activati n speed f 78 mph (35 m/sec) at sea level r higher was ch sen t ensure
that CYPRES d es n t restrict y ur p ssibilities under can py. A fully pen can py,
even in a d wnplane, will n t exceed a vertical descent speed f 78 mph. During
extensive test jumping in CYPRES' devel pment, we never bserved a vertical
descent speed higher than 69 mph (31 m/sec) nce the can py was fully pen.

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1.2 Components
CYPRES c nsists f a micr pr cess r-based, self-checking pr cessing unit, a c ntr l
unit thr ugh which prejump altitude adjustments are made, and a release unit (EOS).
Tw release units are used n dual-pin systems.
pr cessing unit
Never ever
- pull
- lift
- carry along or
- dare to throw around
CYP ES by one of its cables.
c ntr l unit release unit /
emergency pening
system (EOS)
Never attempt to lift or move
the plastic adapter on the end
of the release unit cable which
is plugged into the processing
unit.

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1.3 How CYP ES works
The pr cessing unit c ntains a fact ry-pr grammed micr pr cess r that is capable
f real-time calculati ns f the jumper's altitude and rate f descent n the basis f
bar metric pressure.
By m nit ring this data, certain criteria are generated fr m which c nclusi ns are
drawn. Sh uld the c nclusi n be that the jumper is in a danger us situati n (i.e. still in
freefall at a l w altitude) the pr cessing unit triggers the release unit t pen the
reserve c ntainer.
The release unit r Emergency Opening System (EOS) f r the reserve c ntainer is
c mpletely independent f the rig's system, because it d es n t pull the ripc rd pin
ut f the cl sing l p but actually cuts the l p inside the reserve c ntainer t release
the pil t chute. This meth d is exclusive t CYPRES.
CYPRES' pening system has these advantages:
•The reserve c ntainer can be pened tw different ways. One meth d is used
by the jumper – pulling the reserve release handle; the ther meth d is used by
CYPRES when it cuts the cl sing l p.
•Mechanical c mp nents are reduced t a single m vable b lt in the release unit.
Pr cessing and c ntr l functi ns are electr nic-based.
•The pening system is situated inside the reserve c ntainer where it will n t be
exp sed t external battering r ther adverse influences
•The system is un btrusive and can be installed s that it is undetectable fr m the
utside.
l p small flap f r attachment
pist n

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Schematic diagram f EOS functi n:
l p pellet
pr pellant
pist n
plastic c ating
stainless
steel b dy
The distance which the pist n m ves in case f an activati n is appr x. 5 mm.
The cutter assembly (EOS) is c mpletely self-c ntained. In the event f activati n,
there is n thing released. It was specially devel ped f r CYPRES, and is classified as
being n n-hazard us.

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1.4 Energy supply
CYPRES w rks with a battery that is calculated t last f r appr x. tw years r
appr x. 500 jumps used in the standard m de. In the special m de the battery will
last f r appr x. 300 h urs. After this, the battery must be replaced. In case that the
rig r CYPRES will be ut f use the battery sh uld be rem ved and disp sed f after
2 years t prevent p ssible damage. The battery is a high-energy density type, with
l ng life and l w self-discharge. It c nsists f tw r und cells, and d es n t c ntain
heavy metals.
The battery can be replaced by the user, h wever, the pr cedure is tricky and demands
c nsiderable attenti n t detail. See chapter 6.2.
The battery's current v ltage is displayed during each activati n cycle (see chapter
4.2). After the unit has been switched n, there is a self-test r utine during which
numbers beginning with 9999 c unt d wn rapidly t ward 0. The c untd wn is
interrupted f r appr x. three sec nds at a value s mewhere between 6900 and 5700.
This interrupti n indicates battery charge. F r example, suspensi n f the c untd wn
at 6300 means that the actual battery v ltage is appr x. 6.3 v lts.
When the self-test r utine is repeated several times within a sh rt interval, the displayed
battery v ltage will n t be c nstant. This is n rmal and has n thing t d with the
technical c mp nents f CYPRES but rather, pr perties f the battery. Typically, the
v ltage displayed during a sec nd r third self-test cycle will be l wer than the v ltage
displayed during initial activati n. With further self-test cycles, v ltage will rise again.
If the unit has n t been used f r a l ng time, the battery v ltage sh wn n the display
during the initial self-test can appear t be rather l w. H wever, the v ltage displayed
d es n t indicate a discharged battery but it is merely due t certain pr perties f the
battery.
The absence f an electric current ver a pr l nged peri d will result in the build-up f
an internal pr tective layer which will minimise self-discharge.
This layer can be rem ved by simply switching the unit n and ff a c uple f times.
Y u will then see that the battery v ltage sh wn during self-test will rise again.
Battery failure r l w battery v ltage will be detected by CYPRES. At the end f the
self-test cycle, CYPRES will st p with an err r display f 8999 r 8998 and will n t
assume perating m de. This indicates that the energy supply f the battery is n
l nger within perati nal limits.
eplace the battery once the self test has stopped at 8998
or 8999 (voltage too low).

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1.5 Operational safety
There are tw imp rtant p ints t remember regarding the perati nal safety f
CYPRES:
1. CYPRES self-tests aut matically every time it is switched n. After every switching-
n pr cedure, CYPRES executes a self-test r utine during which all imp rtant
internal functi ns are checked. Usually, a positive outcome to this self-test
should assure you of trouble free operation for up to 14 hours.
When the display unit sh ws "0 ", the self-test has been c mpleted successfully.
If the self-test has resulted in err rs r discrepancies, CYPRES will n t assume
perating m de but will switch itself ff while displaying an err r c de. This err r
c de indicates why the activating pr cess was aband ned (see page 25).
2. CYPRES has fail-safe err r detecti n. Tw pr cesses are activated in CYPRES
nce the unit has been switched n: a primary w rking pr cess and an
independently perating c ntr lling pr cess that m nit rs the w rking pr cess
c ntinu usly. In case f err rs while the w rking pr cess is active, the back-up
c ntr lling pr cess will switch the unit ff.
Depending n the type and p tential impact f the err r, CYPRES can either be
switched n again r it will stay in shut-d wn m de permanently. With certain
err r c des (see err r c de list in chapter 5), it is n t p ssible f r the user t
reactivate the unit. In such cases, CYPRES must be sent back t the manufacturer
f r inspecti n and adjustment.
emember: A p sitive utc me f the self-test sh uld assure y u a tr uble free
perati n f r up t 14 h urs.

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2. Product Overview
CYPRES is available in f urteen m dels:
Military CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Military CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Military Tandem CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Military Tandem CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Military Bundle CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
MilitaryBundle CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Emergency / Air Crew CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Emergency / Air Crew CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Expert CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Expert CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Student CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Student CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Tandem CYPRES f r ne-pin-c ntainer
Tandem CYPRES f r tw -pin-c ntainer
Meter/Feet version
Every CYPRES m del except f r the Military versi n is ffered with an altitude
calibrati n either in feet (30-feet steps) r in meters (10-meter steps). The different
versi ns can nly be distinguished fr m each ther when the reference altitude is
changed; therwise, they are identical.
The "feet" versi n will display thirty (30) as a step difference, while the meter
versi n will sh w a step interval f ten (10).
elative / Absolute adjustment method
Each Military CYP ES is available with an altitude adjustment method either
relative to the switch-on position or an absolute pressure value at the DZ.
See Chapter 4.4 for changes of reference altitude.

MILITARY CYPRES USER'S GUIDE
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2.1 Military CYP ES versions
The Military CYPRES is identified by the green butt n n the c ntr l unit. The butt n
has the imprint ‘Military’, ‘Tandem’ r ‘Bundle’. All f the Military CYPRES are available
in a Relative r Abs lute altitude adjustment c nfigurati n, which permits setting f
the DZ elevati n (and theref re the activati n altitude) relative t either the switch-
n pressure-altitude r a reference pressure value fr m the DZ. See Chapter 4.4 f r
pr cedures t set the DZ elevati n.
The Military CYPRES will activate at appr ximately 1000 feet ab ve the gr und, r
1000 feet ab ve the designated landing elevati n. The Military Tandem CYPRES will
activate at 1900 feet and the Military Bundle CYPRES will activate appr ximately
2500 feet ab ve the gr und r the designated landing elevati n. Activati n ccurs
if the jumper’s rate f descent is greater than tw -thirds f terminal freefall speed
when passing thr ugh the activati n altitude.

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3. Installation
CYPRES MUST ONLY BE INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED RIGGER WHO HAS BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY AIRTEC FOR SUCH INSTALLATION. IN RIGS WITH CYPRES
SET-UP, CYPRES CAN BE MOUNTED BY ANY RIGGER OR RESERVE PACKER.
Definiti ns:
Installation: D ing a retr fit, sewing the p uch, cutter elastic(s), and cable h usings
int a c ntainer with ut CYPRES Set-up.
Mounting: Assembling the CYPRES int a c ntainer with an existing appr ved set-
up.
CYPRES can be installed in rigs with ut adding t pack v lume r changing their
exteri r pr file. B th the pr cessing unit and EOS are m unted inside the reserve
c ntainer, while the c ntr l unit is placed either underneath the t p flap next t the
ripc rd pin, r n the fr nt f the harness t all w f r easy access.
Because CYPRES is designed t fit within minimum v lume requirements, thereby
saving space wherever p ssible, its t lerance f abuse has been minimized in
anticipati n f careful handling by the user. F r this reas n, it is imperative t av id
twisting r pulling f rces n the cable c nnecti ns during installati n r rem val, as
well as during n rmal usage.
In the f ll wing secti ns (3.1, 3.2 and 3.3) y u will find additi nal inf rmati n regarding
installati n f the three c mp nents that make up CYPRES. H wever, CYPRES must
be installed nly by a qualified rigger wh has been auth rized by Airtec f r such
installati n.
The "CYPRES Rigger's Guide f r Installati n" c ntains detailed instructi ns f r the
pr cedure, and the necessary t ls are pr vided with a special rigger's kit.
It is f utm st imp rtance f r y ur safety that CYPRES be installed strictly acc rding
t the Rigger's Guide f r Installati n.
Sh uld y u btain y ur CYPRES in a state readily installed, please make sure
that y u have a CYPRES reserve l p t gether with a disc and a CYPRES
pull-up (tw with tw -pin CYPRES; plus 2 s ft b dkins with tw -pin P p T ps)
st red in the CYPRES p cket f y ur c ntainer.
Further, be sure that y u get the f ll wing parts al ng with y ur CYPRES:
1 CYPRES reserve l p, 1 CYPRES pull-up (2 with 2-pins), 2 special packing
bands ( nly with tw -pin P p T ps).
c ntr l unit
pr cessing unit (mid p siti n)
release unit (EOS)
reserve c ntainer

MILITARY CYPRES USER'S GUIDE
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3.1 Processing unit
The pr cessing unit must be p siti ned centrally n the partiti n wall separating the
main and reserve c ntainers, s that the reserve can py material c vers and surr unds
the unit n all sides. This ffers the best pr tecti n against temperature variati ns
and impact damage.
F r installati n, the pr cessing unit is placed int a specially b lstered and labeled
nyl n p cket which is supplied with every CYPRES.
Excess cable is st wed in the flat part f the p cket underneath the velcr -adjustable
flap. If y u have t st w b th the thinner EOS cable and thicker cable t the c ntr l
unit, be sure t place the thicker cable s that it lays n t p f the thinner ne. Cables
sh uld be placed in a circle in rder t av id twists. Always av id pulling, bending,
twisting, r kinking the cables.
When placing the pr cessing unit int its nyl n p uch, make sure that the cables lie
flat n the b tt m.
wall separating
main and reserve
c ntainer
pr cessing unit
(middle p siti n)
right wr ng

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3.2 elease unit
Installati n f the release unit (EOS) varies fr m system t system, depending n the
design. Detailed inf rmati n is c ntained in the "Rigger's Guide f r Installati n" and in
individual equipment manufacturers instructi n b klets.
T ensure c rrect perati n f the release unit (EOS) the reserve cl sing l p(s) must
be made f the c rrect diameter P lyamide material and the t p except f r 1/2 "
ab ve the disc must als be silic ne impregnated (but see page 40 f r special
instructi ns c ncerning single pin p p-t p c ntainers). The silic ne reduces wear and
tear and increases flexibility f the l p. Furtherm re, the f rce needed t pull the
reserve ripc rd pin is reduced.
L ps supplied by Airtec are pre-treated n the first 2".
release unit (EOS)
The release elements have to be mounted like described in the
CYP ES igger’s Guide for Installation.
NOTE: WHEN CYPRES IS INSTALLED ONLY USE RESERVE CLOSING LOOPS
SUPPLIED BY AIRTEC.

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3.3 Control unit
The c ntr l unit
is placed underneath the t p flap next t the ripc rd pin r n the fr nt f the rig.
4 digit display LED light push butt n
c ntr l unit
pin
c ntr l unit
pin

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The c ntr l unit sh uld be attached using the f ur small nyl n ties built int its b tt m
surface. These ties can be pulled thr ugh nyl n layers with a needle and then secured
with appr priate kn ts.
This meth d f attachment places the kn ts ut f sight and is theref re visually
pleasing.
Alternatively the transparent p uch (supplied with the installati n kit) can be hand
sewn r machine stitched under the reserve t p flap. The c ntr l unit is then pushed
int the p uch and n t sewn directly t the rig.
c ntr l unit
thread
nyl n
kn ts
When inserting y ur hand-depl y in a pil t chute p uch n the b tt m f the
c ntainer d n t turn the rig upside d wn. This can damage the c ntr l unit
cable if the c ntr l unit is l cated in the c llar area f the rig.

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An alternative meth d f r m unting the c ntr l unit is t use the velcr strip supplied
with the unit.* B th velcr c mp nents have an adhesive c ating.
F r added security we rec mmend that the pile p rti n f the velcr (velcr 2) is
secured t the rig by sewing r tacking in additi n t the adhesive. The use f velcr
raises the c ntr l unit by f ur (4) millimeters.
Once the c ntr l unit has been m unted, make sure that it cann t interfere with the
reserve c ntainer pening, the ripc rd, the pin(s).
Inside the reserve c ntainer, the nyl n p ckets supplied with CYPRES must be used
t install b th pr cessing and release units. The nyl n cable h using sh uld be used
t encase all cable. Y u will find these installati n c mp nents in ne f the plastic
bags.
NOTE: CYP ES MUST ONLY BE INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED IGGE WHO
HAS BEEN AUTHO IZED BY AI TEC FO SUCH INSTALLATION.
c ntr l unit
velcr I
velcr II
*since 1.1.98 nly supplied n request

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4. How to Operate CYP ES
4.1 Handling the control unit
The push-butt n n the c ntr l unit sh uld be pressed with the fingertip al ne;
please d n t use a fingernail. Use a sh rt pushing acti n in the middle f the butt n
(like a click).
Y u sh uld familiarize y urself with switching CYPRES n and ff and changing
reference altitudes (chapters 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4) pri r t installing and using it.
The push-butt n is the nly means the user has f r c ntr lling CYPRES functi ns.
Thr ugh it, the f ll wing f ur acti ns are initiated:
•switching n
•switching ff
•increasing reference altitude
•decreasing reference altitude
The f ll wing pages pr vide th r ugh descripti ns f these f ur pr cedures.

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4.2 Switching CYP ES on
CYPRES is switched n by pressing the push-butt n f ur times. Y u initiate the
switching- n cycle by clicking the butt n nce. After appr x. ne sec nd, the red
LED-light will gl w. Y u must ackn wledge the red light immediately by clicking the
butt n again. This sequence — a click f ll wing appearance f the red light — will be
repeated tw m re times. After a t tal f f ur clicks, CYPRES g es int perating
m de.
If y u d n t act pr mptly after seeing the LED-light, r if y u push the butt n t
s n, CYPRES will ign re the switch- n attempt. Simply try again — it's easy nce
y u've d ne it.
This f ur-click initiati n cycle has been designed t av id accidental activati n.
Once the switching n pr cedure is finished, the unit will run thr ugh its self-test.
Initially the display will sh w the number 9999, and then a rapid c untd wn ending in
0. The c untd wn will take 29 sec nds, and will be interrupted three times.
There will be a three-sec nd pause between the numbers 6900 and 5700. The number
displayed at this pause will indicate the actual battery v ltage (e.g. 6300 means 6.3
v lts). The sec nd and third pause will last appr x. ne sec nd each, and will ccur at
5000 and 100. These pauses are f r technical reas ns nly and have n meaning t
the user.
During its self-test, CYPRES will measure the air pressure several times. Sh uld the
unit detect large differences between pressure values, it will c nclude that there is a
pr blem and will n t pr ceed t perating m de. In such a case, it will ab rt its self-
test and display the number 100.
LED light
c ming up
LED light
c ming up
LED light
c ming up
wait wait wait
click
click
clickclick
self-test and
calibrati n
unit
switched n