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German Cypres manufacturer Airtec has set a 12.25-year lifetime on its automatic activation device. Last month the first batch of units reached the “end-of-service” age. To its credit, the company is offering a trade-in discount toward the purchase of a new Cypres. Cypres owners in the Western Hemisphere can receive a credit of $60 for returning a unit with an unexpended cutter or $40 for a unit without a cutter or a fired cutter. It’s not a lot of money, but at least its something for the unusable unit. Still, my biggest gripe with Airtec is that after 12 years, there have been few “break-through” improvements to get anyone excited about buying a new Cypres. For example, if I decided to replace a Javelin I purchased in 1991 with 2003 model, I would immediately benefit from the improvements such as better tuck flaps, better main bridle protection, better comfort and more options. Yet when it comes to the difference between a 1991 Cypres and a 2003 model, there is little difference. Yes, the company has made the cutter field replaceable as well as adding internal protection from radio waves. But it’s still the same one button control unit design with numbers and arrows you have to interpret. And as containers continue to get smaller, the unit has stayed the same size making it relatively bulky. So what would I like to see on a new Cypres to help spur trade-ins and new sales? First, I think the company needs a more user-friendly screen. At the very least small messages, such as “6.2—battery voltage ok” or “Passed Self-Test, Ready to Jump.” If possible, maybe messages on adjusting for different landing elevations as well as error messages. Also, I would like to see the size of the battery pack and processing unit decrease to allow for a better and easier fit into smaller containers. Don’t get me wrong; the Cypres is a great product with unmatched reliability. I highly encourage all jumpers to own one. But I think it’s time for some user-friendly updates.

My original intention last month was to stay one night in Jacksonville for the Parachute Industry Association International Symposium, while catching two days of rigging seminars. That seemed to make the most sense for the pocketbook, but after arriving and getting a better idea of the opportunity at hand, I decided to stay an extra day to glean as much information and tips from the seminars as possible. Over the next several weeks I’ll relay information on new products under development, rigging tips straight from the manufacturers as well as my thoughts and views from the 15+ seminars I attended. There was also much to be learned from the manufacturer displays. One of the more interesting developments I’ll cover include Relative Workshop’s “Skyhook,” which is a type of direct bag deployment of your reserve from a cutaway. Aerodyne Research has joined forces with Parachute Industries of South Africa along with some French developers and is now known as Aerodyne International. The company sports a new container along with a new line of canopies and a slightly altered 3-ring system. Alti-2 has entered the digital altimeter market with the “Neptune” altimeter. This “all-in-one” altimeter is waterproof, can be used as a visual or audible altimeter, acts as a logbook, has a backlight and also has a training mode. Sun Path had a new main deployment bag that is still in the testing phase. The innovative D-bag uses no stow bands whatsoever. Instead the main canopy lines are stowed in a tuck flap pouch. One of the more interesting rigging seminars was from Shlomo Pearl of Israel, who covered a thorough reserve inspection and assembly. For those who weren’t able to attend the symposium, JC Perren is offering some the seminars on video. Visit his web site at www.tandeminstructors.com for ordering information. The seminars he recorded are well worth watching a couple of times.