chutingstar 1 #1 January 10, 2005 FYI: Mirage has issued a service bulletin for the location of the AAD cutter. The service bulletin can be found on the company's web site. The direct link is http://www.miragesys.com/ProductInfo/ServiceBulletins.aspx. I've completed more than 25 of these mods on local gear. I can help if you have any questions. The Mirage rigs I will be packing at the PIA Mirage packing seminar will have the mod if you are interested it seeing first-hand. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #2 January 10, 2005 I can't seem to get the PDF's to open. Anyone else having this issue?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 January 10, 2005 Worked for me. The site uses cookies to track usage, are you allowing them to start a new cookie? That could be getting you.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #4 January 10, 2005 yep _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #5 January 10, 2005 QuoteI can't seem to get the PDF's to open. Anyone else having this issue? Works fine for me, but it takes a few seconds for the pdf to open...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumper03 0 #6 January 10, 2005 QuoteWorked for me. The site uses cookies to track usage, are you allowing them to start a new cookie? That could be getting you. wouldn't open for me for that reason. Sorry but cookies aren't allowed on here. Can anyone post the pdf? Or send me a copy? JumpScars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #7 January 10, 2005 I had to open the PDF's straight from Acrobat reader. That whole cookie thing is a general PITA. Am I reading this right that the SB has to be done by a master rigger on any Mirage that uses a Cutter style AAD at its next repack (or 120 days since its last)? Thats a lot of Mirages that need this done if thats the case.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #8 January 10, 2005 MIRAGE SYSTEMS, INC. PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN 12-04 December, 2004 SUBJECT: AAD CUTTER LOCATION CHANGE DESCRIPTION: The location of the AAD cutter assembly must be changed from below the #1 flap (below the reserve PC) to below the #3 flap (above the reserve PC). This reduces the cut length of the reserve closing loop and isolates it from the effects of poor field rigging, such as misplaced bulk, undercompressed or worn pilot chutes and overly long and/ or unlubricated loops. By reducing and standardizing loop cut length, reserve pack opening functionality and reliability in the case of AAD activation are improved. Only the functionality of optional AAD equipment is addressed here. Manually (ripcord) operated reserve pack opening functionality and reliability are NOT in question and are not affected by the cutter location change. BACKGROUND: Mirage Systems has always used the #1 flap cutter location on Mirage and RTS sport containers. This location is also used by many other manufacturers and was approved by Airtec, Gmbh, the manufacturer of the Cypres AAD. Following AAD activation, the free (cut) end of the closing loop is still held by the reserve ripcord and must weave its way through the separating top flaps as they are pushed up and apart by the deploying reserve pilot chute. One incident has been reported overseas in which 2 Mirage containers failed to immediately deploy their reserves on the same jump after Cypres activations. Both jumpers deployed their mains and landed safely without further incident. Although details of the incident were vague, Mirage Systems was able to inspect the team gear involved and to review their typical packing procedures. The results of that review, and of extensive in-house testing, were that although AAD activation was generally reliable when the Mirage is properly packed, and numerous saves have been reported, common rigging errors could possibly produce a situation where the loop cut length is too long to allow the loop to clear the closing flaps and the reserve container to open immediately. Mirage engineers, working in cooperation with Airtec engineers, determined that moving the cutter above the reserve PC, to flap #3, essentially eliminated the identified risks with only a minimal aesthetic cost. It was felt that this solution was simpler and more reliably effective than any other combination of rigger education and container modifications. AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Mirage and RTS containers manufactured prior to December 2004 equipped with Cypres or other loop-cutting AADs. See Modification Procedure for instructions on identifying previously modified and/ or compliant systems. MODIFICATION PROCEDURE: See attached. QUALIFIED PERSONNEL: FAA Master Rigger or foreign equivalent. COMPLIANCE: Since the reserve container must be opened and sewn, a repack is indicated. Affected containers must be modified no later than the next repack, or 120 days from the last repack, whichever is earlier. Affected containers showing signs of loose rigging, such as being able to “tip” the reserve pilot chute from side to side, are more likely to experience activation problems, and should be addressed accordingly. AUTHORITY: Daniel Thompson, President, Mirage Systems ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #9 January 10, 2005 Jinx! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #10 January 10, 2005 QuoteAm I reading this right that the SB has to be done by a master rigger on any Mirage that uses a Cutter style AAD at its next repack (or 120 days since its last)? Thats a lot of Mirages that need this done if thats the case. Yes. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #11 January 10, 2005 GRRRRR!!!!! Mine is affected and I live in a state with no master riggers.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #12 January 10, 2005 There is a quick fix you know. Have the AAD removed.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #13 January 10, 2005 QuoteThere is a quick fix you know. Have the AAD removed. Hmmm...yanno, my Cypres is about to be sent out for its 4-year here in the next few weeks. Does anyone know if I can go ahead and get my rig repacked since it won't have an AAD in it? That way I can just jump it for a few months and then have the AAD put back in and do the SB at the same time.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #14 January 10, 2005 This: QuoteOnly the functionality of optional AAD equipment is addressed here. Manually (ripcord) operated reserve pack opening functionality and reliability are NOT in question and are not affected by the cutter location change. and this: QuoteAFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Mirage and RTS containers manufactured prior to December 2004 equipped with Cypres or other loop-cutting AADs. says yes you can.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #15 January 10, 2005 It would be nice if there were drawings or pictures to go along with the SB Tim T. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark 102 #16 January 10, 2005 The procedures are in a separate pdf document on Mirage's website. Sorry I couldn't make it clicky. Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #17 January 10, 2005 I seriously doubt the rigger that repacked that Mirage your friend just bought fromme has had the mod. Any way to tell or should I just call the rigger? -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #18 January 10, 2005 QuoteGRRRRR!!!!! Mine is affected and I live in a state with no master riggers. Bring the service bulletin to you rigger and make sure he has packed it correctly for the time being. You can send your rig back to Mirage for the repair. Your dealer may being coming up with a game plan so contact them. Otherwise, contact Mirage. They are really great. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #19 January 10, 2005 QuoteIt would be nice if there were drawings or pictures to go along with the SB Tim T. There are. http://www.miragesys.com/Downloads/MiragePSB1204Procedures.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #20 January 10, 2005 I'll read the SB tonight and look at the pics and determine if I need t do it now or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #21 January 10, 2005 Since no one else has asked and I'm curious as hell... What promped this change? Was there an incident or just rigs needing repair or what?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #22 January 10, 2005 Dayum...that's a pretty clean mod.....cool.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #23 January 10, 2005 QuoteSince no one else has asked and I'm curious as hell... What promped this change? Was there an incident or just rigs needing repair or what? Check a few posts up. That answered the question. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #24 January 11, 2005 Thank you. Very clean. However the #3 flap gets a lot of tension put on it IMO due to "loading" the bottom of the free bag. I hope this is best and assume it is as Mirage is a good company with sound practices. Tim T. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutingstar 1 #25 January 11, 2005 Quote Any way to tell or should I just call the rigger? To check if the service bulletin is completed, it is a visual inspection for the stitch pattern just under the right reserve flap, near the grommet. You will see the end of a rectangular stitch pattern on top of the bottom reserve flap running at a 45-degree angle toward the right bottom corner of the reserve container. If it's there, the mod is done. MikeChutingStar.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
