Multimode Vigil II User manual

Vigil II User’s Manual
US v II.0.4
Multimode
NATO Stock Number (NSN) 1377-13-119-7112
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The Vigil is endorsed by:
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1
English
AAD
nv/sa
. - Advanced Aerospace Designs
Bld A. Reyers 193 • B-1030 Brussels • Belgium
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected] • website: www.vigil.aero
Vigil America Inc.
1400 Flightline Blvd. Suite C
DeLand, FL 32724 USA
Tel: +(1)386 736 8464 • Fax: +(1)386 736 8468
e-mail: [email protected]
Vigil Far East
Nam Fong Industrial Building Block 1
227 R/C Avenida Vencelau de Morais • Macau
Hong Kong: Tel: +(852) 660 30 710
Singapore: Tel:+(65) 8431 8028
[email protected] • www.vigil.aero
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Table of contents
Warning + Disclaimer (see p. 36) 4
1 Welcome to the Vigil II World! 5
2 Introduction
7
3 Function 8
3.1 General Working Principle 8
3.2 Installation 9
3.3 The Three Activation Modes 9
3.3.1 “PRO” Mode 9
3.3.2 “STUDENT” Mode 9
3.3.3 “TANDEM” Mode 9
3.4 Notice on Activation Altitude 10
3.5 Start Up and Shut Down Procedures 12
3.5.1 Start Up – Display 12
3.5.2 Starting Up the Vigil
®
13
3.5.3 Self Tests 13
3.5.4 «SETUP» Menu (Parameters) - Altitude correction 15
3.5.5 «INFO» Menu (Information) 16
3.5.6 «CONFIG» Menu (Configuration) 17
3.5.7 Choice confirmation 18
3.5.8 Shut Down 19
2
VIGIL II
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THIS MANUAL BEFORE ANY USE.
PRESENT INSTRUCTIONS WILL SHOW YOU THE CORRECT USE OF YOUR VIGIL®.
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4 Flight Restriction for the Pilot - Airborne 20
4.1 Recommendations 22
5 Vigil
®
Components 22
5.1 Main Box 23
5.2 Dual Battery Pac 23
5.3 Pulses Plus Element 24
5.4 Electronic Unit 24
5.5 Cutter Unit 25
5.6 Control Unit 26
6 Waterproof - IP67 26
7 Replacement of Parts of the Vigil
®
27
7.1 Replacing the Battery Pack 27
7.2 Replacing the Cutter unit or Control Unit 30
8 Technical Specifications 32
8.1 Glossary 32
8.2 Dimensions 33
8.3 Operating Description 33
8.4 Units and conversion factors 33
9 Communication Port – IR Download Box 34
10 Warranty 35
11 Disclaimer 36
12 Road Map / Grafcet 37
3
English
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4
VIGIL II
WARNING
SKYDIVING IS A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY, AND YOU RISK MINOR OR SERIOUS PERMANENT INJURY
OR DEATH EACH TIME YOU SKYDIVE. THE CORRECT USE OF THE VIGIL® AAD MAY REDUCE THIS RISK,
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN WHICH A VIGIL® AAD MAY NOT REDUCE THE RISK. THE VIGIL® IS A
BACKUP DEVICE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO NEVER RELY ON THE VIGIL® AS A LIFESAVING DEVICE. PRIOR
TO USING THE VIGIL®, IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THE VIGIL® II USER’S MANUAL VERY CAREFULLY. ALWAYS
OBSERVE ALL WARNINGS AND FOLLOW ALL MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS
AND SAFETY PROCEDURES. ALWAYS FOLLOW CORRECT OPENING PROCEDURES AND, IF NECESSARY,
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. NEVER SKYDIVE UNLESS YOU ARE FULLY TRAINED AND COMPETENT IN THE
USE OF ALL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE VIGIL®.
The Vigil® is equipped with an integrated Piezo resistive barometric pressure sensor.
Do not submit your Vigil® to pressures above 3000 hPa, (45.5 psi), nor to temperatures above 158°F (70°C). The
battery pack is designed to operate within a temperature range from -13°F to +158°F (-25°C to +70°C).
Your Vigil®must be exclusively switched ON at the take-off zone (reference altitude or ground zero).
If you want to change of drop zone, please switch off your Vigil®before travelling and switch it back
on at the new drop zone before take-off.
Before each jump it is essential to visually check your LCD screen to ensure its functionality, its acti-
vation mode (“PRO”, “STUDENT” or “TANDEM”) as well as the pre-selected parameters (altitude
correction in feet or in meters) are correctly set.
NEVER JUMP WITH A BLANK LCD SCREEN ON YOUR VIGIL®!
DISCLAIMER See p. 36.
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1. Welcome to the Vigil II World!
We congratulate you on your purchase of today’s most sophisticated and modern, multimode Automatic
Activation Device. It is a reliable revolutionary waterproof (IP 67) safety device with no imposed maintenance
schedule. The Vigil
®
will automatically check all of its functional features each time it is switched on. The
Vigil
®
will detect any anomalies by itself. Should an abnormality be found, the LCD will display an error
message (see § 3.5.3.) and the Vigil
®
unit will not switch on. In this case the Vigil
®
needs to be analyzed by
an authorized dealer or sent back to the factory.
The Vigil
®
is designed for a life expectancy of 20 years from the date of manufacture.
The above expectancy is based on the fact that the cutter, the Pulses Plus element and the electronic
components have been designed for a functional lifetime of 20 years.
The Vigil
®
is very user friendly. It can be used for your choice in 3 activation modes: “PRO”, “STUDENT” or
“TANDEM”. The Vigil
®
, an ALL-IN-ONE Automatic Activation Device (AAD) will also work in U.S. or metric
standards units.
When travelling on any commercial flight with your Vigil
®
, this manual - as well as the Vigil X-Ray Card - should
accompany you. It contains explanations that will be useful to the airport security staff.
The most recent manual is available on the Vigil
®
website at http://www.vigil.aero/ on the download page.
5
English
The Vigil II is in principle to be used as a last resort safety device. It has never been
intended and is not to be used as a parachute’s primary opening system. The procedures
written in this manual must be followed to ensure that the Vigil® functions properly.
Incorrect set up or use can lead to improper functioning of the Vigil®.
A skydiver should always adhere to all rules and regulations set by his/her country’s
skydiving federation. The use of a Vigil® AAD does not exempt the parachutist from
performing proper emergency procedures.
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6
VIGIL II
NATO Stock Number (NSN) 1377-13-119-7112
LCD
Green LED
Red LED
Push button
Dual Battery Pack
+ Pulses Plus Element
Main Box
Connectors
Connection cable
Stainless
steel filter
Pyrothechnical cutter
Stainless Steel
Protection Cover
Control Unit
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2. Introduction
Your Vigil
®
was designed and developed by a professional team of engineers and skydivers.
Its function is to automatically open the reserve container in the event that you reach a freefall speed
at an unsafe altitude. The flat aluminum alloy box is exceptionally strong; its ergonomic design fits
easily into most current rigs. A Vigil installation kit (pocket and cutter retainer) can be supplied to rig
manufacturers, on demand. The Vigil
®
can be used for three types of skydiving by pushing on just one
button. These user programmable modes are: «PRO», «STUDENT» or «TANDEM».
The Vigil
®
also has a data recorder function (black box). The unit memorizes the last 16 minutes of
freefall time (with a maximum of 16 graphs, whichever is reached first), total time in freefall and
total number of jumps. This data can be viewed directly from the control unit’s LCD display or it can be
downloaded to a PC through an infrared communication port.
The infrared reader and the associated software are available as an option (see § 9).
The “2 wire” technology and the Kevlar reinforced cabling were especially developed for the Vigil
®
and
deliver a unique combination of strength and suppleness.
The gold plated contacts and the positive locking system of the connectors guarantee optimal connection
reliability in all circumstances.
The control unit: - is equipped with a 26 x 96 dots LCD display which allows for an interactive
and clear communication with the parachutist
- is protected by an anti-scratch sapphire glass in a stainless steel
protection cover.
The electromagnetic shield protects the Vigil
®
from electromagnetic interferences, like those found in
airports and airplanes (see § 5.1).
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English
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8
VIGIL II
3. Function
3.1. General Working Principle:
The Vigil
®
must only be turned on at ground level; it will calibrate itself to the current ground elevation
pressure. This is the “GROUND ZERO” reference.
Once your Vigil
®
is on, it will at each take-off (in max. 32 sec, from +150ft or 46m) switch to active mode.
In freefall, it starts to continuously calculate the leftover time to reach the activation altitude approriate to
the programmed mode. When this altitude (or lower) is reached by the jumper at equal or superior speed
compared to the factory-set parameters, the cutter of the Vigil
®
will instantly fire and cut the closing
loop of your emergency parachute (<0,002 sec).
An “altitude correction” mode allows you to introduce a positive or negative altitude difference between
the departure and landing levels (from +6000ft to -6000 ft or from +2000m to -2000m) in steps of 150ft or
50 m. The Vigil
®
takes this altitude correction into account to calculate the new activation altitude. This
principle also allows you to modify the activation altitude permanently if the airport where you take off
and the landing zone are at DIFFERENT altitudes or if there is a hillock near the drop zone.
Each mode «PRO», «STUDENT» or «TANDEM» has its own factory-set activation altitude and speed
choice can be done in the “SET UP” menu (see § 3.3). During your aircraft ascent, the Vigil
®
’s red LED
will briefly flash three times when it passes through its pre-set activation altitude.
The Vigil
®
will automatically remain ON for 14 hours; it may of course be switched off manually before
that time. The selected activation mode «PRO», «STUDENT» or «TANDEM» will remain visible on the LCD
display until the Vigil
®
is switched off or turns off automatically after 14 hours.
If the Vigil is airborne due to a difference in pressure equivalent to more than ±150ft (±46m) compared
to the “ground zero” reference (pressure), it is highly recommended to switch off your Vigil
®
after your
last jump of the day. Be aware that your Vigil
®
will not switch off as long as its “ground zero” reference
altitude is not measured again (at ±150ft or ± 46m) by the Vigil
®
.
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