Automatic activation device

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Automatic Activation Device in skydiving terminology refers to an electronic-pyrotechnic or mechanical device that automatically opens the main or reserve parachute at a preset altitude or after a preset time.

AADs are typically used to open the reserve parachute container below a preset altitude when they detect that the user's descent rate exceeds the preset activation speed. This indicates that the user has not opened his parachute, or that the parachute is malfunctioning and is not slowing the descent rate sufficiently.

The older style mechanical AADs are falling out of fashion in favour of the newer style electronic-pyrotechnic models. The built-in computers in the newer models can make much better estimates of the altitude and the vertical speed, therefore making the units more reliable than the older types.

Examples of specific makes of AADs are:

  • Argus
  • Astra
  • Cypres / Cypres 2
  • FXC 12000
  • KAP-3
  • MPAAD
  • Sentinel
  • Vigil

[edit] Safety

AAD's can be harmful in rare occasions. Skydivers experiencing malfunctions can potentially have 2 parachutes out at the same time if the AAD activates while the main canopy has not been cleared.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/u/t/Automatic_activation_device.html"
In other languages