Air TEc CYPRES User manual

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CYPRES
User’s Guide

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 1
Congratulations on your choice of CYPRES, the safest and most accurate AAD currently
available. CYPRES is the only completely electronic automatic opener on the market, as
well as the smallest and the lightest.
Like most skydivers, you probably assume you will always have time to deploy your reserve
canopy yourself, and that situations requiring use of an automatic opener always happen
to others. We do hope that you will never have such trouble, and that your CYPRES will
never have to take action to save your life.
Should CYPRES ever have to open your reserve, it will most probably happen at a moment
which justifies, no matter how experienced and cautious you are, that you haven't left your
safety to chance.
Airtec GmbH, Safety Systems
Dieses Handbuch ist in deutsch erhältlich.
Ce manuel est disponible en français.
Dit Handboek is ook in het Nederlands verkrijgbar.
Este manual está disponivel em Português.
Este manual está disponible en español.
Questo manuale èdisponibile in italiano.
Ez a kézikönyv magyar nyelven kapható. (Hungarian)
Tento manual je k dostání v èeštinì. (Czech)
Ta instrukcja jest dotstêpna w jêzyku polskim.
Ýòó êíèãó- îïèñàíèÿ ìîæíî ïîëó÷èòü íà ð óññê îì ÿçûêå. (Russian)

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Page 2 Airtec GmbH
Contents
page
1. Function ....................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Design philosophy ......................................................................................... 3
1.2 Components .................................................................................................. 4
1.3 How CYPRES works .................................................................................. 5,6
1.4 Energy supply ................................................................................................ 7
1.5 Operational safety .......................................................................................... 8
2. Product Overview ....................................................................................... 9
2.1 Expert CYPRES ............................................................................................ 9
2.2 Student CYPRES ........................................................................................ 10
2.3 Tandem CYPRES ........................................................................................ 10
3. Installation .................................................................................................. 11
3.1 Processing unit ............................................................................................ 12
3.2 Release unit ............................................................................................... 13
3.3 Control unit ......................................................................................... 14,15,16
4. How to Operate CYPRES .......................................................................... 17
4.1 Handling the control unit .............................................................................. 17
4.2 Switching CYPRES on ............................................................................ 18,19
4.3 When to switch on or off .............................................................................. 20
4.4 Changing altitude reference ..................................................................... 21,22
4.5 Water jumps ................................................................................................ 23
5. Errors Display ........................................................................................... 24
6. Maintenance .............................................................................................. 25
6.1 Removal of the unit ...................................................................................... 25
6.2 Replacing battery ........................................................................... 26,27,28,29
6.3 Changing the release unit ............................................................................ 30
6.4 Technical service ......................................................................................... 31
7. Important Notes ......................................................................................... 32
7.1 For jump pilots ............................................................................................. 32
7.2 For users ..................................................................................................... 33
8. Repacking of Reserves ......................................................................... 34,35
8.1 Packing one-pin reserve containers ......................................................... 36,37
8.2 Packing two-pin reserve containers ............................................................. 38
8.3 Packing one-pin Pop Top reserve containers ............................................... 39
8.4 Packing two-pin Pop Top reserve containers .......................................... 40-45
8.4.1 Additional notes to the Racer and Racer Elite .............................................. 46
9. Abbreviated Users' Guide ........................................................................ 47
10. Installation in a New Rig ........................................................................... 48
11. Regarding Air Travel ................................................................................. 49
12. Technical Data ........................................................................................... 50
13. Guarantee .................................................................................................. 51
14. Electromagnetic Compatibility ................................................................ 52
15. Disclaimer .................................................................................................. 53
16. Key Words ............................................................................................. 54,55
17. Packing list ................................................................................................ 56
Trade Marks ............................................................................................... 57

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 3
1. Function
1.1 Design philosophy
CYPRES, which is the acronym of "CYbernetic Parachute RElease System", is an
automatic activation device, which meets all needs and wishes of today's skydivers. Once
it is installed, you can't hear it, you can't feel it and you can't see it.
The operation is quite simple: Just switch it on in the morning prior to the first jump, then
forget about it. It is not necessary to switch it off, because CYPRES will do this itself.
The weather is constantly checked by CYPRES over the day by measuring the air pressure
twice a minute. This means that the unit is always calibrated to the precise ground level.
The Expert CYPRES is designed in a way that it won't restrict the skydiver in any way.
Even with extreme maneuvers during exit and in freefall, CYPRES will cope with it.
Whatever you can think of under canopy like stalls, spiral turns, down planes, hookturns
with the smallest canopies as well as any CRW, CYPRES will analyze these movements
without problems. It won't interfere with any normal activities while skydiving.
Only freefall in very low altitude will cause CYPRES to take action. In this situation CYPRES
will activate the reserve approx. 4.5 seconds prior to impact.
Besides the Expert CYPRES there are the Tandem and Student CYPRES. These models
meet the special requirements of tandem jumps and student training.
From January 1991 to February 2001, CYPRES has saved at least 240 skydivers and 12
tandem students.

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Page 4 Airtec GmbH
processing unit
Never ever
- pull
- lift
- carry along or
- dare to throw around
CYPRES by one of its cables.
control unit release unit /
emergency opening
system (EOS)
1.2 Components
CYPRES consists of a microprocessor-based, self-checking processing unit, a control
unit through which prejump altitude adjustments are made, and a release unit (EOS).
Two release units are used on dual-pin systems.
Never attempt to lift or move
the plastic adapter on the end
of the release unit cable which
is plugged into the
processing unit.

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 5
loop small flap for
attachment
1.3 How CYPRES works
Every time CYPRES is switched on it will calibrate to ground elevation by measuring the
air pressure several times in a short period of time and taking the average value as the
value for ground level. This is happening during the integrated self-test. CYPRES doesn't
stop here. While it is in use it will constantly check the air pressure on the ground and, if
necessary, adjust to changing weather, e.g. air pressure. The very accurate calibration is
basis for CYPRES to recognise exactly the activation altitude and activation of the release
elements in case of exceeding activation speed.
The processing unit contains a factory-programmed microprocessor that is capable of
real-time calculations of the jumper's altitude and rate of descent on the basis of barometric
pressure.
By monitoring this data, certain criteria are generated from which conclusions are drawn.
Should the conclusion be that the jumper is in a dangerous situation (i.e. still in freefall at
a low altitude) the processing unit triggers the release unit to open the reserve container.
The release unit or Emergency Opening System (EOS) for the reserve container is
completely independant of the rig's system, because it does not pull the ripcord pin out of
the closing loop but actually cuts the loop inside the reserve container to release the pilot
chute. This method is exclusive to CYPRES.
CYPRES' opening system has these advantages:
•The reserve container can be opened two different ways. One method is used by the
jumper –pulling the reserve release handle; the other method is used by CYPRES
when it cuts the closing loop.
•Mechanical components are reduced to a single movable bolt in the release unit.
Processing and control functions are electronic-based.
•The opening system is situated inside the reserve container where it will not be
exposed to external battering or other adverse influences.
•The system is unobtrusive and can be installed so that it is undetectable from the
outside.
piston

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
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Schematic diagram of EOS function:
loop pellet
propellant
piston
plastic coating
stainless
steel body
The distance which the piston moves in case of an activation is approx. 5 mm.
The cutter assembly (EOS) is completely self-contained. In the event of activation, there
is nothing released. It was specially developed for CYPRES, and is classified as being
non-hazardous.

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 7
1.4 Energy supply
CYPRES works with a battery that is calculated to last for approx. two years or approx.
500 jumps. The battery is a high-energy density type, with long life and low self-discharge.
It consists of two round cells, and does not contain heavy metals. Each battery which has
been installed in CYPRES has to be replaced after 2 years at the latest. In case that the
rig or CYPRES will be out of use the battery should be removed and disposed of after 2
years to prevent possible damage. The battery can be replaced by the user, however, the
procedure is tricky and demands considerable attention to detail. See pages 25-29 for full
instructions.
The battery's current voltage is displayed during each activation cycle (see page 18).
After the unit has been switched on, there is a self-test routine during which numbers
beginning with 9999 count down rapidly toward 0. The countdown is interrupted for approx.
three seconds at a value somewhere between 6900 and 5700. This interruption indicates
battery charge. For example, suspension of the countdown at 6300 means that the actual
battery voltage is approx. 6.3 volts.
When the self-test routine is repeated several times within a short interval, the displayed
battery voltage will not be constant. This is normal and has nothing to do with the technical
components of CYPRES but rather, properties of the battery. Typically, the voltage displayed
during a second or third self-test cycle will be lower than the voltage displayed during
initial activation. With further self-test cycles, voltage will rise again.
If the unit has not been used for a long time, the battery voltage shown on the display
during the initial self-test can appear to be rather low. However, the voltage displayed
does not indicate a discharged battery but it is merely due to certain properties of the
battery.
The absence of an electric current over a prolonged period will result in the build-up of an
internal protective layer which will minimize self-discharge.
This layer can be removed by simply switching the unit on and off a couple of times. You
will then see that the battery voltage shown during self-test will rise again.
Battery failure or low battery voltage will be detected by CYPRES. At the end of the self-
test cycle, CYPRES will stop with an error display of 8999 or 8998 and will not assume
operating mode. This indicates that the energy supply of the battery is no longer within
operational limits.
Replace the battery once the self test has stopped at 8998
or 8999 (voltage too low), after two years or after 500 jumps
whichever comes first.

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
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1.5 Operational safety
There are two important points to remember regarding the operational safety of CYPRES:
1. CYPRES self-tests automatically every time it is switched on. After every switching-
on procedure, CYPRES executes a self-test routine during which all important internal
functions are checked. Usually, a positive outcome to this self-test should assure
you of troublefree operation for up to 14 hours.
When the display unit shows 0 , the self-test has been completed successfully. If the
self-test has resulted in errors or discrepancies, CYPRES will not assume operating
mode but will switch itself off while displaying an error code. This error code indicates
why the activating process was abandoned (see page 24).
2. CYPRES has fail-safe error detection. Two processes are activated in CYPRES once
the unit has been switched on: a primary working process and an independently
operating controlling process that monitors the working process continuously. In case
of errors while the working process is active, the back-up controlling process will
switch the unit off.
Depending on the type and potential impact of the error, CYPRES can either be
switched on again or it will stay in shut-down mode permanently. With certain error
codes (see error code list on page 24), it is not possible for the user to reactivate the
unit. In such cases, CYPRES must be sent back to the manufacturer for inspection
and adjustment.
Remember: A positive outcome of the self-test should assure you a troublefree
operation for up to 14 hours.
.

CYPRES USER’S GUIDE
Airtec GmbH Page 9
2. Product Overview
CYPRES is available in six models:
Expert CYPRES for one-pin-container
Expert CYPRES for two-pin-container
Student CYPRES for one-pin-container
Student CYPRES for two-pin-container
Tandem CYPRES for one-pin-container
Tandem CYPRES for two-pin-container
Meter/Feet version
Every CYPRES model is offered with an altitude calibration either in feet (30-feet steps)
or in meters (10-meter steps). The different versions can only be distinguished from each
other when the reference altitude is changed; otherwise, they are identical.
The "feet" version will display thirty (30) as a step difference, while the meter version will
show a step interval of ten (10). See pages 21-22 for changes of reference altitude.
2.1 Expert CYPRES
The Expert CYPRES can be recognized by the red button on the control unit.
It activates the EOS when it detects a rate of descent higher than 78 mph (35 m/sec) at
an altitude of apx 750 feet above ground level (AGL). In the event of a breakaway below
this height CYPRES will operate down to apx 130 feet AGL. Below 130 feet AGL opening
is no longer useful. For this reason, CYPRES ceases operation below apx 130 feet AGL.