FXC-12000 misfire

[cloud9 0]

Today I followed a student out from 10,500 he is finishing up his SL progression. He had to do some turns and a back loop. He had a good stable exit, then started his turns, right turn went good, then a left turn, then on to the back loop. All went well after coming out of the back loop he started chiping a little he went into a hard arch and bam! the FXC fired at 7000 ft. We have no idea what caused it to fire early. It will be sent back to the factory. I know there was a thread earlier on a cypress misfire and now this one. Be careful out there folks you know the old saying everything comes in three's. Just a good thing he was stable at the time. He went right back up on the next load and did great so I was glad to see that.
Bleau skies

[spectre230 0]

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

We had an experienced guy at my DZ jumping student kit cos his reserve nedded a repack, and he pulled at 2500' and the FXC fired at about 2000' even when he'd just got a good canopy above his head. Dodgy.

[riggerrob 643]

Dear Skymonkee,
The FXC that fired at 2,000' fired within its normal window of operation. The FXC factory recommends leaving a 1500' margin of error above the activation altitude.
In other words, if your FXC 12000 is set to fire at 1,000', then you should plan your dive to be hanging under a fully inflated canopy above 2,500'.

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

I know the FXC has quite a wide firing range - I just think it's dodgy that it should fire that high when it's set at 1000'.

[Albatross 0]

I was my understanding that the FXC had this type of problem. I was told during my AFF that they were not as reliable as the cypress. I am still interested in what Airtec has to say about the cypress misfire.
Flare Damn it!!!!!
Albatross

[wildblue 7]

When I was jumping student gear (with FXC) I was told to deploy at 3k or above. I've seen many two canopies out because of those things.
You set it for 1,000 ft, and it's "plus or minus 1,500 ft" ... it's the minus that scares me. Actually, wasn't there a case like that in Indiana this year?

[freefallin14 0]

There was an incident in Connersville, IN this year in which a student died after a no pull on a 10-second delay. The FXC was turned on and did fire, but it apparently either fired way too low or the reserve pilot chute stayed in the burble of the student.

[in2falling 0]

Just my opinion but FXC12000 where designed 20+ years ago and do not belong in student gear. They are better off not having one then having an FXC12000 in their rig. Its just cheap ass DZ owners not investing in modern, more reliable, and easier to maintain ADDs for the students they throw out! Its time to retire these antiquated hunks of metal.

[zipper310 0]

we had an fxc fire like you said but it failed to completely pull both pins. If the student had not of pulled her main, she would of been an incident report

[DBTECH 0]

The main problem/flaw with the FXC-12000 is the poor design of the aneroid controlled valve at the end of the hose. FXC can't be totally blamed for this, because they didn't design it.
Dave Brownell

[Viking 0]

with all the misfires from these peaces of trash i am really wondering how they are still in buisness!!!
I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

The new model of FXC - the Astra - is a lot better. It works on the same principles as a CyPReS and in my opinion is better because it's a lot easier to see if is switched on.
Don't pull low - unless you are !!

[Cacophony 0]

I have seen an FXC misfire so I know enough to have an opinion on it. The incident I saw resulted in 2 canopies out. I believe that a 1500' margin of error is too much. Is it possible that the student in question turned it off and then back on again in the plane on the way to altitude? This could cause it to recalibrate to the higher atmosphere.
Safe landings,
Alex D-23912

[riggerrob 643]

Dear Cacaphony,
Go read the owners' manual for the FXC 12000.
There are two separate knobs on an FXC 12000. One knob reads "OFF - JUMP." This knob can be turned by hand.
The second knob adjusts the firing altitude. You need a screwdriver or coin to change the altitude.
There is no connection between the two knobs. Turning an FXC on or off in the airplane does not affect its opening altitude.
Yes, I know, FXC 12000 s are old and clunky, but consider the price. A DZO can purchase used FXCs for less than $300, while new Cypri cost aorund $1000 a piece. So some under-capitalized DZOs are forced to chose between hanging Cypri on a few students or FXCs on all of them.
Also, many long-standing DZs have been using FXCs for dozens of years.

[heedtaun 0]

if the fxc does not pull the both pins. it may be installed incorrectly. the distance between the fxc cable housing and pins/loops is important.

[billvon 2,991]

>Yes, I know, FXC 12000 s are old and clunky, but consider the price. A DZO can
> purchase used FXCs for less than $300, while new Cypri cost aorund $1000 a
> piece. So some under-capitalized DZOs are forced to chose between hanging
>Cypri on a few students or FXCs on all of them.
I think this is a poor argument. It can be used to defend the use of round mains, no radios (paddles are cheaper) lack of 100 hour inspections on the aircraft and poorly maintained gear. I have seen all these happen at different drop zones, and at some point, you just have to say that safety is more important than cost - even if it means a DZ can only put 30 students up a day instead of 40.
If the choice comes down to having Cypreses on a few rigs, or a poor AAD on many rigs, I know I'd vote for a Cypres on a few rigs. I've seen too much funny business with other AAD's.
-bill von