Squirrel Aura 2 User manual
YOU MUST READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE DOING
ANYTHING WITH YOUR SQUIRREL EQUIPMENT
USER MANUAL
Contents
About this Manual............................................................................... 1
Before you BASE, Skydive.................................................................... 2
Use, Care, and Feeding of your Squirrel ................................................ 3
3D Inlet..................................................................................................................................... 3
Zipper Bungees ......................................................................................................................... 3
Arm Foam Options .................................................................................................................... 3
The Super NutSack ................................................................................................................... 4
Mylar ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Leg Wing Zipper Pulls ............................................................................................................... 4
Arm and Leg Wing Zippers ........................................................................................................ 4
Innie-Outie Zip System ............................................................................................................. 4
Innie-Outie Zip System Part Deux... Chest Strap Width In BASE Mode.......................................... 4
Brummel Hook Zipper Anchor ................................................................................................... 4
Hiking Pole Attach Points .......................................................................................................... 5
Holding Your Grippers, And Positioning The Leading Edge Of Your Suit ....................................... 5
Leg Wing Bungee ...................................................................................................................... 5
A Note On The Carbon Fiber Grippers......................................................................................... 5
Hook Knife................................................................................................................................ 6
Sleeping and Bathing Your Squirrel ........................................................................................... 6
Contact Us.......................................................................................... 7
1
About this Manual
This manual does not provide instructional information, and is not a substitute for professional
training, instruction, or experience. Before using this wingsuit, it is critical that you receive training
and instruction for its use by a certified / rated instructor who is familiar with its characteristics. It is
mandatory that you receive professional training and instruction on all aspects of use. This manual
is only a general guide and does not contain any instructional information.
This manual may be updated, revised, or changed by Squirrel LLC without notice, at any time.
Contact Squirrel LLC to be sure that you have the most up to date version of this manual. It is
imperative that you read this manual in its entirety, and understand it fully. If you do not understand
any part of this manual, or feel that any part is unclear in any way, please notify Squirrel LLC in
writing and do not use any equipment that this manual refers to until you are certain that you fully
understand the most up-to-date information pertaining to your equipment.
Your Squirrel AURA 2 comes with NO WARRANTY.
Parachuting, BASE Jumping, and wingsuit flying are extremely dangerous activities. This product is
sold with all faults, as is, and with no guarantee or warranty of fitness for any purpose. Squirrel LLC,
its members, owners, associates, and dealers, disclaim any and all liability in tort for damages
of any kind, caused by negligence on the part of Squirrel LLC or otherwise. By using this product
or allowing it to be used by others, the user waives any liability of the manufacturer for personal
injuries or other damages resulting from its use.
WARNING
ALL FORMS OF SKYDIVING, PARACHUTING, BASE JUMPING
AND WINGSUIT FLYING ARE INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS
ACTIVITIES AND REQUIRE THE DELIBERATE AND CONSCIOUS
CONTROL OF YOUR PHYSICAL BODY THROUGH THE PROPER
USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN RELATION TO EVER-CHANGING
VARIABLES AND DANGERS. TRAINING, PROFICIENCY, SKILL,
GOOD JUDGMENT, AND BEING CONTINUALLY ALERT TO
CHANGING CONDITIONS, INCLUDING WEATHER, VISIBILITY,
SURFACE CONDITIONS, ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
INCLUDING DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND OBSTACLES, ARE
REQUIRED TO LOWER THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT INSPECTING IT AND
ALL OF ITS COMPONENTS BEFORE EACH AND EVERY USE.
!!! Even when properly used, this product may malfunction or fail to operate as expected.
You risk death or serious injury each time that you use this wingsuit !!!
The AURA 2 is an advanced design that is suitable for highly experienced wingsuit pilots ONLY.
It is imperative that you take the time to familiarize yourself with all aspects of this wingsuit prior
to use. Extensive skydive training is critical before attempting to use this wingsuit in the BASE
environment. BASE jumping requires extensive training, dedication, and commitment – take it
seriously, and learn to use your equipment properly before your next BASE trip.
Please read this carefully before doing anything with your new wingsuit.
2
Before you BASE, Skydive
This is so obvious, and we say it elsewhere on the site and in emails to all of our customers, etc...
but for some reason some people still think that they are special. Or they think that they just can’t
possibly get all of the insurance, licenses, time, and money to skydive. And then they take their
new Squirrel suit and jump it from a cliff without adequate skydive practice.
We are not the BASE police, and we can’t tell you what to do or take your suit back if you plan
to do this. All we can do is tell you that you are risking your life like a total dumbass, and we can’t
stay friends if you are going to act the fool.
When we receive a new design, we skydive it first. Not because we love skydiving, or we have a ton
of money. It’s because we don’t want to die yet. We drive a long distance to an expensive dropzone,
which is not ideal or convenient - but we do it because it’s the smart thing to do. We do this, even
though we are always very familiar with the type of suit we are jumping. Even our most experienced
Team Pilots need several skydives (10, 20, 30 perhaps!) before they feel comfortable and confident in
our suits. These are guys with 10+ years of experience and over 1000 BASE jumps. Do you think you’re
better than them? Do you think you don’t need the practice that they need? Please take this seriously.
It’s very simple: Skydive it first.
3
Use, Care, and Feeding of your Squirrel
3D Inlet
The 3D inlet is an advanced and effective innovation which requires some care
and maintenance. It is extremely important that you do not abuse your inlets.
Do not store your suit in a tightly packed configuration for long periods of time.
NEVER store your suit folded tightly in hot conditions. For instance, the worst thing
that you could do would be to leave it crammed into your stashbag in a hot car
for a few hours. If it becomes seriously deformed, the silicone framework inside
the inlet can be re-formed by hand under gentle heat.
Zipper Bungees
Zipper bungees must always be connected! Do not jump your suit in BASE or Skydive mode
without the zipper bungees set tightly around your harness. This is especially important for the front
of your suit while in Skydive mode. You have two connection options. Use the “A” option with the
button for quicker harness attachment and removal.
NOTE: Unless the fit of your suit is grossly incorrect – in which case you must notify us immediately
– your zippers can be adjusted so that your emergency handles will always be accessible.
If you are unable to adjust your zippers to your satisfaction as recommended above, then please
go to squirrel.ws/zipperstuff to read about further options.
Arm Foam Options
Your A2 is shipped with 5mm black foam inserted in the arms. This is the middle performance
option for your suit. There are three possible configurations for you to choose from:
1. Light Grey Foam (thickest option): For normal skydiving, and any flight environment in which
you are totally comfortable and familiar.
2. 5mm Dark Grey Foam (thinner option): For a bit of rigidity, and slightly more interior arm volume.
3. No Foam: Take the foam out, for increased comfort during the deployment sequence and a
different feel in steep flight.
We recommend testing the suit in the skydiving environment in all configurations to get an idea
of what you like best. Take the time to test the handling, performance, and comfort differences
between each setup. Never test anything for the first time while BASE jumping.
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
Zip your harness into
the suit
Insert loop end of
bungee in zipper
Flip the zipper and secure
the button with the Velcro
Insert tail of bungee
through the loop
The button should now
be secure
Pull tight
Insert the bungee and tie
a gure eight knot
Tie an overhand knot
through the other zipper
Secure the bungee
around the button
Pull tight
A
B
4
The Super NutSack
This is made to carry your stuffsack, and not much more. Adding a lot of heavy
equipment or even too much food or water will change your center of gravity
and could possibly affect your flight in a negative way. The Super NutSack is
long, but can be adjusted in length so that you can position the load where you
want. Tighten or loosen the lengthwise strap to raise or lower the load inside
the leg wing. Positioning a heavy nutsack load directly on top of the leg wing
inlets is not advised.
Mylar
The Mylar material at your leading edge will become creased and worn over
time. Wrinkling and creasing of this material is normal and will not negatively
affect your flight. You should, however, take care to minimize the creasing by
packing your suit with care.
Leg Wing Zipper Pulls
Always fasten your leg wing zipper pulls! If you walk around with them
dragging on the ground, you will ruin them and it will be your fault. This is very
simple: If your suit is on, have the zipper pulls connected. Do not drag them
through the dirt.
Arm and Leg Wing Zippers
Arm and leg wing internal access zippers should remain closed at all times for
best performance. It is acceptable to leave the arm wing zippers partially open
to decrease arm wing internal pressure if you desire – please do this only after
consulting with your instructor. Jumping with these zips open or partially open
will affect the flight characteristics of the suit. Always be sure to close your leg
wing zipper after accessing your nutsack! Make zipper-checks a part of your
pre-flight checklist.
Innie-Outie Zip System
For BASE mode, you have the option of zipping the front
of your harness system inside the suit: place the shoulders
of your harness inside the front of the suit as shown. For
Skydiving, you MUST jump your harness / handles outside
the front of your suit. Zip the front of the suit behind your
shoulder straps as shown.
Innie-Outie Zip System Part Deux...
Chest Strap Width In BASE Mode
Serious damage to the zipper system can occur if you do not have your chest strap adjusted
properly: for example, too loose. This, combined with a hard opening, will over-stress the flexible
system and WILL DAMAGE the skydiving (front) zippers. You MUST keep your chest strap properly
adjusted, and you MUST learn to moderate your openings using proper equipment and technique. If
you are wingsuit BASE jumping, then you should know how to tune your equipment and your flight to
have consistently quick but reasonable openings. If you are getting slammed on every deployment,
you are doing something wrong. Please feel free to ask us for custom advice on this, if it is needed.
Brummel Hook Zipper Anchor
The Brummel hook protector is meant to help preserve zipper integrity when the suit
is jumped in BASE mode. When in BASE mode, connect the hooks together. This
will help to keep some of the forces off of the zippers in the event of a hard opening.
BASE SKYDIVE
5
Hiking Pole Attach Points
This is a simple and lightweight system to retain equipment
such as collapsible hiking poles. Don’t get carried away with
stowing too much gear here, and remember that anything
sharp can poke you in the ass if you mess it up. To secure the
poles, simply tie an overhand knot around them. The elastic
straps will retain the poles with only one simple overhand knot,
as shown in the photos. The Velcro tabs are only there to stow
the elastic straps when they are not in use.
Holding Your Grippers, And Positioning The Leading Edge Of Your Suit
If you are new to big wingsuits then it may not be obvious to you how exactly to hold the grippers, but
this is a critical aspect of controlling your wingsuit. You must always seek instructor advice whenever
you have questions about flying your suit, but here are some examples of good and bad positions:
GOOD: Pilot’s fingers are almost all on the backside (top surface) of the gripper. The grip is somewhat
relaxed, with the thumb in front and the top of the gripper nestled gently in the palm of your hand. There are 2
common ways to hold the gripper properly: the first (1) is how Matt and most people hold it, and the second
(2) “Le Blond” style (shown from rear only) is how Vincent Descols holds his grippers for max glide.
BAD: All of these positions are very wrong. Please note how they deform the shape of the leading edge and twist
the zipper into a non-straight line. The leading edge is rolled forward, the sweep of the wing is changed, and
the bottom surface is not clean. All of these positions will result in decreased performance and/or loss of control.
Leg Wing Bungee
The leg wing bungee is designed to keep the trailing edge
of your leg wing off of the ground while walking to an exit
point or while boarding the airplane. To use, simply pull up on
the free end of the bungee while you walk. When you have
arrived at the exit or the plane, release the bungee and push
the excess back into the inlet.
A Note On The Carbon Fiber Grippers
These are light, stiff, and a lot more fragile than metal or wood.
Please don’t sit on them. Don’t let tandem masters sit on them,
either. And don’t step on them.
1. 2.
Front View Back View Back View Back View
Front View Front View Front View Front View
6
Hook Knife
Every suit comes standard with a Carbon Aero Jack hook knife installed on the
front of the suit, in a location that is ideal for jumping your wingsuit with your
BASE harness inside the suit, in BASE mode. Check to make sure that the hook
knife is loaded properly and the snap is secured.
When skydiving, please make sure that the hook knife does not interfere with
your skydiving reserve handle and remove the knife if necessary. If you have
any questions please consult your rigger to ensure proper operation of your
emergency handles.
Sleeping and Bathing Your Squirrel
Don’t smother your Squirrel! When it’s hibernating, it likes to breathe and relax in a cool, dry,
comfortable nest. Do not store your suit for long periods of time in a tightly folded or compressed
manner! Doing so will result in the deformation of your inlets. Always fully shade-dry your suit if it
becomes wet or damp. Gently rinse with non-chlorinated fresh water to clean, or if ever exposed
to salt water. Never use chemical detergents – Squirrels like it all natural, all the time!
Your suit can be hand washed in cold water, or machine
washed cold on a gentle cycle. Never tumble dry your
suit. Hang dry in the shade.
7
If you have any questions about any product that we
make, please do not hesitate to contact us.
www.squirrel.ws
855-FLY-SQRL
Contact Us
THANK YOU FOR FLYING SQUIRREL!
v.201512 - Check the AURA 2 product page at www.squirrel.ws for the latest PDF version of this manual.
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