Testing FXC's

[splat200 0]

This is the info I have collected so far for testing FXC 12000's :

Note:
All tests performed with firing altitude set to 1000 ft.
The FXC must not be fired without a load, (rubber bumper),
to prevent the cable end from slamming into the housing end hard enough to damage the Teflon.
Do not to dry-fire it too often or you will wear out the catch springs, etc.

Test 1. Must Fire (65 fps)
Test chamber rate of descent: 3900 fpm.
The unit MUST fire at 1000 ft. +/- 300 ft.

Test 2. No Fire (40 fps)
Test chamber rate of descent: 2400 fpm.
The unit MUST NOT fire at any time.

Test 3. Freefall Verification Test (175 fps)
Test chamber rate of descent: 10,500 fpm.
The unit should fire at 1000 ft. +/- 300 ft.


Question # 1
The test chamber's Vertical Speed Indicator goes from 0-4000 FPM.
How do I properly perform test 3, at 10,500 FPM ?

Question # 2
As well as checking for component damage, are there any other tests ???
(like checking if the unit will fire with the valve turned off ?)

Any help or additional information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Phil.

[RSG 0]

Are you sure that you want to jump this old thing?
there is a lot of new tech AAD's out there that proved its much better and safer

I really wish that either they stop this production or they just recall em, we've been facing many issues and don't think it will go throw this time,

have you heard of the negative airflow on the FXC?
one of the guys just explained to me that it can happen on a FXC 12000 that if a jumper is free falling backwards on his back that there is a possibility that the damn thing wont fire !!!

please tell me if this is true or not

_________________________________________
R S G = Ready Set Goooooooooo

[Anvilbrother 0]

Quote

we've been facing many issues and don't think it will go throw this time

Please explain what issues you have been having

Postes r made from an iPad or iPhone. Spelling and gramhair mistakes guaranteed move along,

[cornishe 0]

Splat- nice name. http://www.splatula.com

There's a possibility that all of the AADs out there fail to fire or misfire. Pull your handles.

The FXC is a fine unit, it just requires frequent testing and factory maintenance on the seals.

FXC has had large military contracts which means their product has to satisfy quality criteria.

Also remember that all AADs have had problems at one time or another. Didn't you just read the Skydiving Magazine article where the Cypres completed its self test and then misfired when it recalibrated to zero during a stop in climb?

Abbie Mashaal
Skydive Idaho
Snake River Skydiving
TandemBASE

[RSG 0]

Hi Again

I know a guy that passed away a couple of months ago,
he had an FXC 12000 on, MC5, 370 main
it was calibrated and tested

the report says that maybe because he was unstable and facing the sky that this resulted in a non fire for the FXC, may be this needs to be looked at,

I think that no one from our DZ will ever jump it
the FXC was supposed to save this poor guy's life !!
all of the coaches know that the cypress is much better and more reliable , but what can we say

_________________________________________
R S G = Ready Set Goooooooooo

[splat200 0]

OK...
Thanks for the interest so far...

But this thread is not about the reliability of FXC's.

I own 21 FXC's, and they are used on my student gear.

I have purchased a used test chamber without the users manual,
and have some questions about how to test them properly.

Are there any Riggers about that can help me ?

Thanks,
Phil.
(aka. Splat !)

[dragon2 2]

Quote

the FXC was supposed to save this poor guy's life !!

Um no, the GUY was responsible for saving the guy's life

Any AAD can fail to fire or fire at a different altitude than set to when in a non-belly to earth posisiton, and even when you ARE.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Phil I believe you are not in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions unless you have gone to the factory and taken their course on how to operate the tester.

[mark 107]

Quote

Phil I believe you are not in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions unless you have gone to the factory and taken their course on how to operate the tester.

That's not in the manufacturer instructions!
The instructions call for testing in an altitude chamber, but don't require the testing to be done in an FXC-supplied chamber.

Mark

[Andrewwhyte 1]

Quote

Quote

Phil I believe you are not in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions unless you have gone to the factory and taken their course on how to operate the tester.

That's not in the manufacturer instructions!
The instructions call for testing in an altitude chamber, but don't require the testing to be done in an FXC-supplied chamber.

Mark

Really? I have never read the instructions so I won't argue. I was told many moons ago that it was so and have never questioned it.

[councilman24 37]

I've never run a real FXC chamber. But for the vertical speed indicator not going high enough.... it's pretty easy to eyeball freefall speed. It's tougher to differentiate the other conditions without the VSI. To function test them I just crack the needle valve and watch the altimeter. Easy enough to simulate freefall.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerrob 643]

The FXC factory course is NICE, but not mandatory.

[riggerrob 643]

Question #1 - just open the valve all the way to get a rapid descent. The exact velocity does not matter ... as long as you exceed the FXC scaring speed.

Question #2 - the last test involves turning the switch to OFF, then doing a rapid descent.
The FXC 12000 should not fire.
Hint: wait five minutes - after the test - before turning the switch to JUMP.
Tee!
Hee!

[riggerrob 643]

Wow!
That is the first I have ever heard about "negative airflow!"
But what do I know?
Back in the 1970s, I jumped FXC 8000s until the chief instructor called me a sissy.

During the 1990s, I visted the FXC factory twice, did the factory course, tested hundreds of FXC 12000s and repacked a hundred-ish student rigs containing FXC 12000s.

Rob Warner
FAA Master Rigger
Factory-trained FXC 12000 tester

[mark 107]

Quote

Question #1 - just open the valve all the way to get a rapid descent. The exact velocity does not matter ... as long as you exceed the FXC scaring speed.

If you've done the factory course, you're way ahead of me. However:

If all you need to do is exceed the FXC scaring speed, you've already done that with the 65 fps test.

I would think that the purpose of the 175 fps test is to see if the FXC will fire on time, particularly if the 65 fps fire occurs at -299 feet.

Mark

[riggerrob 643]

Correct.
You should write down the firing altitude during all chamber tests.