aubsmell

Aerodyne will have these canopies to demo: Amax: 90, 99 Vision: 117, 132, 150, 168 Pilot: 117, 124, 132, 140, 150, 168, 188 Smart set up as Main: 120, 135, 160, 175 Also we will have the new Icon sport on display. "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Ever since I saw this thread I've been trying to get to the bottom of this Superband issue. I wanted to bust out with some techno babble that would make you guys think I'm smart. But alas, no dice. I can't find any specifics on these little nearly unbreakable bastards. Only marketing information, which states that they take the best of rubber bands and tube stoes for your packing satisfaction or some stuff like that. I know when I worked for PD they tested them and didn't see any reason to recommend them as better, however they didn’t say they were bad, however remember PD sells rubber bands. And why would you endorse a competitor’s product. I went and looked at the boxes they came in, the are constructed of the same stuff as tube stoes, the same mix as surgical tubing only they are flat and about the size of small rubber bands. As for selling them, we apparently still sell them; you can buy them through a distributor or directly from us for $5 for 10. Which I believe is a little steep. I'll work on getting that price down, or at least getting you more than 10 for the $5, considering we have about 4 million in our rigging loft gathering dust. I'll also have to see about getting them on our website under accessories. Both the Bushman and myself still use the small rubber bands that PD recommends, I like that they break, instead of just loosening up over time. On the sales side, I guess when the Aerodyne International Group was formed and the company Aerodyne Research was formed the Superbands were swept under the rug, and when the old website was taken down they didn’t just stop selling the Diablo. I wish I had a better answer for these bands but I don’t. Aubrey Easterlin Sales Manager Aerodyne "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Come to Skydive Tallahassee on Feburary 7th and 8th and Aerodyne is Giving away a free jump ticket on every single load that flies that weekend. Plus Belly-Jumper organizing by Benjamin Raffet, formerly of the French National team. Aerodyne will also have Demo canopies for all to try and the new Icon container system on display. Contact Cindy@skydivetallahassee.com for details. http://www.skydivetallahassee.com http://www.aerodyne-int.com/sport/default.asp "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

This thing seemed to cut my article off, oh well like I said you can go check all kinds of infor on the miniforce risers on our website, and if for some reason you want some video of it in action feel free to email me, I have some quick time footage of actually cutaways and video of machine cut aways with twists and super high G forces. a.easterlin@aerodyne-int.com Aubrey-0ut "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Hey guys, like I said I'm not a math wiz, but I'll put down an article about the system here to explain it way better than I could. all the pictures you can't see here, but that are refered too are on our website under the News tab/articles. [http://www.aerdyne-int.com/sport/default.asp] I hope this helps. Aubrey “Re-designing the three-ring release system” Author: Ian Bellis Over the passed several years we have heard and read about individuals that have had difficulty in breaking away from their main parachute. The accounts describe individuals that, much to their dismay, have encountered forces on their cutaway handles that were beyond their capability to pull. Many speculations have been offered regarding the cause of this phenomenon. Possible explanations have included: high “g” loading, higher wing loadings, smaller, more elliptical canopies, twisted risers, etc., etc. No one has a definitive answer. In 1998 however, The Relative Workshop commissioned a re-evaluation of the mini three-ring release system. The result of this study was a better understanding, and a new specification for the manufacture of three-ring systems. The adoption of cable housings (plastic or metal) in the risers, has also become a de facto standard, under the premise that twisted risers may play a role in increased pull forces. While no one could tell you with certainty that this is truly an issue, the feeling in the industry was “better safe than sorry”. Many manufacturers to date have doubts as to the validity of the “twisted riser scenario” and its effect on cutaway pull force. In early 2002, our design team, led by Michel Auvray (mini three-ring designer) set out to actually address pull forces at the cutaway cable. The result, after more than a year of development and testing, is the miniforce™[1] system. This patented new system actually addresses the engineering behind the three-ring release system and effectively reduces forces on the cutaway cable by an average of approximately 35% at any given loading. This reduction in cutaway force has been validated by our test team, at riser loadings of up to 10g and beyond! The basis for the improvement is an increase in lever arm distance at the middle ring. (See figure1) Figure 1 As you can see the center ring is actually lengthened. If we look at the engineering study that was done in 1998, we see the distance (d3) is now longer than on previous three-ring geometry. (See figure 2) Figure 2 Following the mathematics that were used to develop the current three ring specifications, we can now calculate the predicted loop force for the new system as follows: Reference: Collins, Kyle, “Advanced Three-Ring Technology” We can now compare the calculated (predicted) loop force for the old and new systems. This loop force is directly proportional to cutaway pull force. Figure 3 The new miniforce™ system is constructed from forged stainless steel and can be seen in Fig. 4 (below). Figure 4 Actual testing performed, verifies the predicted reduction in cutaway force. (see Figure 5) Standard Mini 3-ring system Loading on 1 riser Measured force on yellow release cable in pounds Newtons Pounds TEST 1 TEST 2 TEST3 TEST 4 AVERAGE 500 112.4 1.21 0.77 1.10 1.03 1000 224.8 2.42 1.65 1.65 1.91 1600 359.7 2.53 2.75 2.42 3.19 2.73 2000 449.6 3.08 2.75 2.92 3000 674.4 7.93 6.61 8.92 7.82 Aerodyne miniforce™ 3-ring system Loading on 1 riser Measured force on yellow release cable in pounds Reduction of force Newtons Pounds TEST 1 TEST 2 TEST3 TEST 4 AVERAGE 500 112.4 0.44 0.66 0.77 0.62 39% 1000 224.8 1.21 1.32 0.88 1.14 40% 1600 359.7 2.20 1.87 1.32 1.80 34% 2000 449.6 2.42 2.42 1.54 1.54 1.98 32% 3000 674.4 3.19 3.74 3.08 3.34 57% Average reduction of force on cable, Low and High removed = 37% Figure 5 The results speak for themselves! When we analyze the results of both theoretical and practical testing, we find the following design goals have been met. Reduction in breakaway pull force by 37% (avg) in all test modes. Manufacturing tolerances have been opened, resulting in greater reliability while maintaining the mechanical advantage of the system. Minimal cost impact to harness container manufacturers. Compatibility with existing systems in use. - Cable housings must be able to move up 1/2” (minimum), from current location. - Riser covers must not be located too close to three-ring assembly in order to ensure free release during harness distortion Easily tested by harness container manufacturers (same tests as current system) The engineers at Aerodyne have broken new ground and developed the most exciting improvement in release technology since the three-ring itself. We can now have a more efficient system, reducing cutaway pull forces in all situations. All of this technology is available as a standard feature on the new Aerodyne Icon harness/container, but most major harness/container manufacturers have already begun planning the inclusion of the miniforce™ into their new systems. The design team at Aerodyne has taken safety to heart by not only developing the system itself but also by designing the miniforce™ to be compatible with all existing mini three-ring harnesses. By simply installing a new pair of miniforce™ equipped risers, all of the force reduction benefits will be gained[2]. "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Aerodyne will be at the Great White North Boogie this weekend at The Florida Skydiving Center in Lake Wales, Jan 23-25, Friday Through Sunday....With Pilots, Visions, and the Amax to jump, the Icon to look at and try on and the Smart reserve to fly, and for all you riggers to get a good look at. So come check us out.... We will have Pilots 104, 117, 124, 132, 140, 150, 168, and 188 Visions 117, 124, 132, 150, 168. Amax 90, 94, 99, 104 Smart 120, 135, 160, 175 set up as mains. Peace, Aubrey "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

JT- I believe I told you on the phone the other day when you called my office that we have a full time Master Rigger on staff (Cliff Dobson, for those of you who know him) in our in-house parachute/container repair facility here in Tampa. We offer full service rigging for all of our products. However in some instances, say you drop your container in a wood chipper, we may, choose to send it back to Durban, however we ship using DHL and it is three days each way, or less, so you're looking at the maximum addition of less than a week. I actually got to meet Wayne (ReLLiK75) this weekend at the collegiate boogie in Williston Florida. He had the opportunity to really take a good look at the Icon, and fly the Pilot. Aubrey Aerodyne Sales Manager http://www.aerodyne-int.com/sport/default.asp I just wanted to add this from a post from Wayne under thread Aerodyne Pilot: Aerodyne Pilot - NEW Quote | Reply ------------------------------------------------------------------------Well Aerodyne was at the Williston Boogie today. They showed up with a bunch of gear for people to demo. I got to demo a Pilot 188 and let me say what a great canopy!!! This thing is awesome. There were a bunch of people jumping all different sizes and all everyone had to say about the canopy they were demoing were great things. Everyone simply loved flying the Pilot, regardless of canopy size. I've ordered one of the complete Icon systems with a Pilot 168 and after flying the 188 today and actually seeing the Icon container, I cannot wait until I get my rig!!! Way to go Aerodyne!!!! "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Einstein couldn't spell either. I was never hooked on phonics, it's too confusing, for instance why do they spell Fonics with a P? "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

This may be a day late and a dollar short, looks like these quotes are about a week old, but I don't get on here as much as I'd like too. I saw before that a guy jumped my Pilot 210 at Eloy and had some problems with it. I told him that it was a brand new canopy, and he was the first to jump it, and that was the case. I didn't let another person there jump it, I packed it up and sent it home. My first day back here, after a full inspection of the canopy by our rigger Cliff, I took a ride over to the drop zone with said canopy and another demo 210 to compair them. As he said it was a little funky and unresponsive. That had nothing to do with the trim, I checked the trim and the leading edge for shrink, everything was cool. The second Pilot 210 was as crisp as fresh lettuce. All of my demos are brand new, but as most of you know, and Kolla you can back me up on this canopies are freaky, they can look exactly the same, smell the same, and have all the same measurements and still fly differently. And as far as the field demos go, they don't get quite the care and maintenance as kollas in house, mail'em out one at a time demos. Because they go boogie to boogie get jumped by a bunch of people at each boogie, and only get relined and checked over fully a couple of times a year at best, or when a customer complains. For instance one time when I worked for PD, I had a brand new Sabre2 and one guy jumped it and said "man I think this has a built in right turn" and then another guy jumped it and said "Aubrey I think this has a built in left turn" So of course I thought it was just loose leg straps or something, and it was a popular size and it got jumped a lot with no complaints, but over a couple of boogies I heard both complaints a couple more times, both left and right. So finally I took it to be test jumped back in Deland, then I read the testing data card, it said the inflation was okay, but with the breaks stoed it turned left X amount of degrees in so many seconds, and with the breaks unstoed it turned right so many degrees in so many seconds! So for like three boogies I was giving out a canopy with a built in Left AND Right turn. So there is no real way to be perfect. Either way, as long as a company takes responsibility for any demo issues and good care of their demo products I think you are in good hands, and we certainly try to keep them in the best shape possible with routine maintenance, and timely inspections. However all the manufacturers do appriciate when someone telles them if they do have a problem, that way we can fix it, it does us no good to not keep our customers safe and see to their needs. And back to Kollas demo lady Juanita, she is the bomb, but my rigger Cliff could actually probibly beat her in four rounds of Jello wrestleing. (actually I think they'd make a good couple) http://www.aerodyne-int.com "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

What airport would you fly into to visit this DZ? How many people do you expect? "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"

Hey Bshl, My name is Aubrey, I'm the sales manager for the New Aerodyne International, I have been in this position for the past two months, however prior to that I spent two years working in the marketing Department for PD so I have good working knowledge of both designs, please feel free to email me a.easterlin@aerodyne-int.com if I don't get your questions answered in this message. I'll spend a couple of minutes answering a varity of the issues I see in this thread. About the fabric: There are basically three suppliers of zp type fabric in the world (at least that all the major manufacturers use) 1) Performance Textiles (North Carolina, USA) This uses the Dupont Soar coat silicone blend, that was developed in conjunction with Bill Coe (owner of PD, and brilliant guy), this fabric makes up the majority of PD's fabric and now the majority of Aerodynes as well. I never worked for Icarus so I don't know who provides theirs. 2) Perserverance Mills (England) This would be the second largest provider to both Aerodyne and PD as well. This company's coating is very, very, very simular to the Performance stuff, but it is not Soar coat, Performance has an exclusive for that formula, so how they got the formula they are using is beyond me, reverse engineering, industrial espionage, an under the table note pass to make the prices more competitive, who knows your guess is as good as mine. 3) Gelvenore Textiles (South Africa) their ZP material also has a silicone based coating, however their formula doesn't quite match muster. It is easier to pack, however you loose some lifespan. This fabric is much less expensive, and that is the primary reason it was used in the past, by all the companies that used it, and somewhere along the line all maufactures have used it on and off, and tested it, and still get baches for testing, and Gelvenore continues to strive to make a product that will be universally used by parachute manufacturers. However, that is not the case now, and that is why the Triathlon is only being built with the best possible fabric. I would compair the flight charachteristics as such, and these are opinions, and you see the gammet on this thread, people have totally different experiences on these canopies, I can only offer mine. However I have jumped every size of both numerous times. I've jumped them in every configuration, with nearly ever type of line offered, Spectra, Dacron, Dynema (not HMA or Vectran) Opening: Spectre snivels a little longer. but it is fairly nominal (I've seen people who have sent in Spectres with dynamic damage from hard openings, broken lines, and blown out cells) The Triathlon is generally a very nice opening canopy, 4-700 feet, however again on both canopies, packing is important, as well as body position. (I see people mentioning sewing on a slider pocket, I'm not saying that this is wrong, it does help, but it is like putting a bandaid on gunshot wound, I have seen this little trick used on many canopy designs, I am a skydiver and a customer and if I buy a parachute that is kicking me out of my shoes, I'm sending that SOB back. Trust me the companies involved would rather fix the problem and have a happy customer than have some frankinstine canopy out there) now if you have a canopy that is just ragged out and is out of trim, needs new lines, is so old it feels more like 0-3cfm than ZP and you send it back because it is opening hard and expect a new canopy or a free fix, it usually doesn't work like that, so maybe a pocket on the slider is for you. In my experience, they both open on heading more often than not, if you want the pitch, than I would say the Triathlon is better because it is a rectangle would open on heading more, the Spectre is elipicical, however it is not too radicle so it is not going to have that much of an effect in all honesty. Turning in flight: Toggles, the Tri initiates faster, the Spectre (in the factory setting) has a lot of slack in the break lines. Once the turn is initiated the Spectre actually turns a bit faster, due to the elipse in the trailing edge. Risers, Front risers on the Tri takes you steeper and quicker, look at their history of winning in CRW rotations (they are world champs this year with the Russians) and are just quick on the front risers. Landing: Disclaimer: I can't land either one! I just prefer a nine cell. They are actually both great landing canopies. and I wouldn't put one before the other. The are both very forgiving, and good canopies to master your landings on. I'll kind of wrap things up in a conclusion, directed at you, with 31 jumps. I'd buy either canopy at around 1 to1 and I'd buy a used one on a price to condition ratio. You are probably only going to keep it for your first couple of hundered jumps, and the market is full of good used ones, and one will be just as good to you as the other. Try to get one with a fresh set of lines, also I'd reccomend going through a good gear dealer, who can offer you advise (Dave at Sunshine Factory, JP or Dominic at Square One) Those guys usually have a line on good used gear (if you are all about dollars and cents you may find a better deal, but if you get a lemon sometimes it is nice to have a recourse) -Sorry, had to edit out the sales pitch, Derek- and you can allways give me a call at my office (813) 891 6300 Peace out.

I'm just looking for some heads up opinions, I have my own favorites, which I'd be glad to share with anyone who asks, but I would like to know, if you could only go to one boogie this summer which one would it be? Anywhere, US, Europe, Australia, South America, or Africa? "Those who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it"