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You know Marcus has really made it hard for anyone to ever patent anything like this and that might be good or bad, depending on how you see it. He has made a public disclosure of a number of possibly patentable inventions and unless he applies for a patent within a year, it's likely to be public domain. Sure, its a spoof, and some of the ideas are 100%whacko, but there are a couple of very clever ideas here. Full page color ad with convincing graphics, for fun only... Hats off to the master skydive media jester, Marcus Antebi. 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Is this system for real or a hoax? Wireless controlled cutters for main 3 ring loops, a wristwatch that can command a cutaway or a reserve activation, gyro sensors to determine angle of attack etc etc etc. Someone spent a lot on a full pg color ad.

First, L&B has the BEST customer service of ANY company I have EVER dealt with. No room for improvement, they are 100% perfect in this regard. The PRO TRACK is a fine product with features galore. Some of the more obscure features are hard to use unless you have the manual with you, but the basic features (jump logging and audible altitude alarm settings) are very easy. The Pro Track is worth every penny. The computer interface and logging software is fun and useful, but not essential. I have bought every product L&B has made and have never regretted a single purchase. These guys set the standard for product support. You simply cannot believe how customer focused they are.

Finally CYPRES is getting some lower priced competition from AADs having comparable technology. For those on a limited budget who cannot afford a Cypres, then these new products will be potential lifesavers. However, I'll not be switching brands when my CYPRES expires even if I can save a few hundred bucks and have unlimited product life with a competing product. AIRTEC is CONSTANTLY testing, verifying and upgrading the product. They are OBSESSED with quality and ongoing reliability. I just don't think any newcomers can make an AAD that will be as reliable as the CYPRES. They just don't have the experience. Anybody can say their product has unlimited service life, but the reality is that electronic components age (especially capacitors) and at some point the age related degradation of components becomes a real issue. Will a 20 year old Cypres work if it passes the self test? Yes, it probably will. Is it as reliable as a 12 year old unit that had a complete checkout 4 years ago. Probably not. I wish AIRTEC would keep thier units serviceable indefinitely, but I don't think their decison to end the product's life at 12 years is a pure money grab either. I like to think I'd never need a CYPRES, but if I am wrong I don't want to be dead wrong. This product has saved hundreds of lives and has a very good reputation. The new Cypres 2 has some great features (eg waterproof) but still must be manually turned on. Most jumpers have at least once forgot to turn on their Cypres AADs. Hopefully the Cypres 3 will figure out a reliable way to automatically turn on the unit. Everyone has stories about AADs firing at the wrong time, but Cypres sure has BY FAR the lowest misfire rate from what I have seen.

I am dying to know what you find out. Some radar versions of the Grumman S 2 Tracker had 2 extra tailfins on the horizontal stab. to augment directional stability robbed by the big top radome, but you know planes and a Tracker sure doesnt look like a Metro. There is a French plane (made by Dassault?) that has two props and three fins, but none in the US. There is the UK made Airspeed Ambassador, but none still airworthy. What a puzzler. 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.

Three tails and twin turboprops almost has to be an ex US Army Mohawk OV 1. Its not an especially big plane, only carries two pilots in that bubble cockpit. A nice one is for sale for a mere $199K at www.courtesyaircraft.com/n134GM.htm Westwind and Volpar turbo Twin Beeches don't have three tails. Lockheed Lodestar conversions such as the Howard 250 and 500 also only have twin tails and are radial engined, not turbine. Connies are four engined, and although a few turbprop versions were converted by the military, none of those survive. A Navy Greyhound has four tails, not three. Soooo... if your facts are correct I cant see another plane present in the US which fits the bill other than the Mohawk. 2018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968.