User Manual

Automatic Securing Device

 

 

MPAAD

 

 

4th Edition

 

 

 

In Jevíčko, in 10/2004                                   

 

CONTENTS

 

HEAD I

 

1.                  Introduction

2.                  Designation

 

 

HEAD II

 

Description

1.         Function

2.                  Additional functions

3.                  User menu

4.                  Main parts

5.                  Location of the device

 

 

HEAD III

 

Technical data

           

 

            HEAD IV

           

            Contents

1.                  Deactivated device

2.                  Device activation

3.                  Device deactivation

4.                  Calibration

5.                  Stand-by mode

6.                  Jump mode

7.                  Adjustment during a jump outside an airport

8.                  Error statutes

 

HEAD V

 

Assembly

 

 

HEAD VI

 

Maintenance

1.                  Special maintenance

2.                  Proper function check

3.                  Battery replacement

4.                  Chopping mechanism replacement

5.                  Device adjustment changes

 

 

HEAD VII

 

Service life and warranty conditions

 

 

HEAD VIII

 

Caution

 

 

Placing the MPAAD securing device into a packing bag

 

 

MPAAD – Activation report


 

HEAD I

 

1.             Introduction

 

MPAAD is a result of several years of development, research, and tests. This device combines in itself the latest electronic technologies and components. Its development prioritized higher reliability and resistance as well as the satisfaction of current parachuting requirements. It also aimed at setting standards for the third generation of securing devices. The location of the entire device in a compact, duralumin case without outer connecting cables principally excludes any possible mechanical damage and simultaneously markedly enhances resistance against electromagnetic interferences. MPAAD is a modern, electronic, micro processor-controlled securing device that does not require any special maintenance and that features several additional functions. The device can be arbitrarily set as EXPERT, BEGINNER or TANDEM.    

 

 

2.             Designation

 

The device is designed for all types of parachute jumps, including the following:

 

RW, CRW, FREEFLY, FREESTYLE, SIT-FLYING, SKYSURFING, jumps with a CAMERA, PRECISION LANDING, INDIVIDUAL ACROBATICS, AFF, TANDEMS and BEGINNERS.

 

 

CAUTION:

 

 

 

-         The device is not designed for jumps from firm structures –

BASE JUMPS!

 

-         The device is not designed for PARAGLIDING, PARASCENDING

Or PARASAILING!

 

-         The device is not designed for the primary opening of the parachute!

 

-         The device is not designed for jumps into water!

 

 

 

HEAD II

Description

1.     Function

 

The primary function of this device is to activate a reserve parachute when a parachutist free-falls at a dangerous height and thus to prevent the parachutist’s direct fall on the ground. The limit values of activation differ depending on the specific adjustment of the device; i.e. EXPERT, BEGINNER, and TANDEM. The height of activation means the highest admissible height when activation can take place. The device can be started at any height between the activation height and the ground, if a fall rate has been exceeded. Activation at a lower height than the activation height is possible, for instance, after a low release. A height lock indicates the height that has to be overcome in order to unlock the device. If this height has not been reached, but activation conditions have been met, the device will not be activated.

 

 

EXPERT

Activation takes place if the height above the ground is less than 270m and the fall rate is greater than 35 m.s-1. The height lock is 450m.

 

 

BEGINNER

Activation takes place if the height above the ground is less than 270m and the fall rate is greater than 20 m.s-1. The height lock is 450m.

 

 

TANDEM

Activation takes place if the height above the ground is less than 560m and the fall rate is greater than 35 m.s-1. The height lock is 900m.

 

 

 

2.     Additional functions

 

The device has a built-in real-time clock that runs continuously if there is a battery in the device. When starting the device, the condition of the battery is indicated in percents of remaining capacity. No other adjustment procedures apart from the device’s start-up have to be made prior to the first jump. If a landing surface is situated lower or higher than a start point, this difference can be set on the device (± 600 m). A qualified person may change the adjustment of the device to the TANDEM, EXPERT or BEGINNER setting according to the user’s requirements. The qualified person can also set the time of the standby mode to 1 to 19 hours. Detailed data from the previous jump are stored in the device memory. The device operates as a ‘black box’. Such details can be retrieved if needed by the qualified person. The data are automatically rewritten after each jump.

 

 

 

 

3.     User Menu

 

The user can access a simple menu where he can view the following data:

 

            The height of opening during the previous jump

            Total number of jumps

            Remaining battery capacity in percents

            Battery voltage in volts

            Device manufacturing number

            Controlling firmware version 

           

 

4.     Main parts

 

All of the device parts are contained in a flat, metal case that is divided in three compartments. The upper one contains a microprocessor, a real-time clock, supporting electric circuits, a barometric pressure sensor with a display and two buttons. The lower compartment contains a battery. The middle compartment contains a pyrotechnic chopping mechanism. The battery and the chopping mechanism can be replaced.

 

5.     Location of the device

 

The device is located under the lower part of the packing bag of the reserve parachute. Its control buttons and display can be accessed through a window on the rear side of the packing. The closing loop of the reserve parachute runs through the opening in the central device part where the chopping mechanism is placed as well. MPAAD fills up the area that is naturally created in the between-the-blade part of the packing of the reserve parachute by pulling the closing loop through a padding plate.     

 

 

HEAD III

Technical data

 

 

Size (mm):

100 x 62 x 20

Weight (g):

ca 250 g

Volume (ccm)

124 ccm

Battery:

Special lithium batteries

Battery service life

Up to 4 years or 300 flying hours

Range of application (m)

- 600 up to + 10000 m (above sea level AGL)

Activation height (m)

 

< 270 m Expert

< 270 m Beginner

< 560 m Tandem

 

Activation rate (m/s)

 

> 35 m.s-1 Expert

> 20 m.s-1 Beginner

> 35 m.s-1 Tandem

 

Height lock (m)

 

   450 m Expert

   450 m Beginner

   900 m Tandem

 

Accuracy: (%)

± 7 %

Temperature range ( ºC )

- 20 ºC up to +60 ºC

Stand-by mode (h)

Can be set to 1-19 hours at hourly intervals

Landing outside airport

Can be set to ±600 m

Device service life

15 years

 

 

 

 

HEAD IV

Maintenance

 

1.         Deactivated device

 

The display is empty and whenever the left or right button is pressed, intentionally or by accident, the display indicates [ OFF ] .

 

 

2.         Device activation

 

The device is started by pressing the buttons of the so-called activation sequence several times. First release both buttons. Press the left button and keep it pressed ( o ). After three seconds, the display will show number one [ 1   ]. Press the right button ( > ) three times in a row and release it. After each pressing the display will show a growing row of numbers [ 12  ], [ 123  ] and [ 1234 ]. Once numeral 4 has appeared on the display, release the left control button ( o ). This activation sequence is then complete. The whole sequence must not last longer than ten seconds. If a mistake is made the whole procedure must be repeated.

 

The display shows [ ON ] briefly and then it images the remaining capacity of the battery ranging from [ 100% ] to [ 0% ]. Subsequently, automatic calibration takes place and [ CAL ] appears on the display. Afterwards, the machine switches to a stand-by mode.

 

During the activation procedure, MPAAD checks the battery, chopping mechanism and electronics.

 

3.         Machine deactivation

 

Turn off the device in the same way in which you activated it – i.e. by means of the activation sequence. The display shows [ OFF ]. If you forget to turn the device off, it turns off automatically once the time of the stand-by mode has been fulfilled. The device can be turned off during the stand-by and jump modes.

 

4.         Calibration

 

Calibration is carried out to set a zero height for the landing surface. It is started when activating the device and then automatically after each jump. When [ CAL ] appears on the display,  the device measures a current pressure and sets it as a height zero value.  Therefore, you should always activate the device only in the area of the landing surface. If the values fluctuate badly during the measurement of pressure, an error is shown on the display. The device has to be deactivated.

If you land outside an airport unintentionally and find yourself at a markedly lower or higher height on your way back (± 10 m), turn the device off manually after arrival and then turn it on again! If you are in doubt, proceed in the same way to be on the safe side! This will secure the proper re-calibration of the device prior to the next jump.

 

5.         Stand-by mode

 

When in the stand-by mode, the device is on the ground. Pressure and a possible airplane start are checked regularly. This mode starts as soon as the calibration is completed. The display shows a time countdown until the automatic turning off of the machine. For instance, the display shows time information [ 14:00 ] with a flickering second-indicating colon in the middle. This indicates the introduction of the device into the stand-by mode for fourteen hours after which the device turns off automatically. All the time the display will continue to show the time remaining to the turn off, for instance, [ 14:00 ], [ 13:59 ], [ 13:58 ], ……,     [ 00:01 ], [ 00:00 ].        

 

If the device is set to a different mode than EXPERT, this is indicated on the display. The TANDEM adjustment is indicated by letter ‚t’ in the far-right display field, for instance, [ 14:00t ]. The BEGINNER adjustment is indicated by letter ‚b’, for instance, [ 14:00b ]. When the EXPERT adjustment is used, the far-right display field is empty.

 

6.         Jump mode

 

Just a while after an airplane’s start the device automatically changes to a jump mode. The display stops imaging time and shows a current reached height above the ground (AGL). After landing a calibration sequence takes place and the device automatically switches back to a standby mode.

 

Note:

Just a look at the display can check not only the mode in which the device is operating but also the time remaining to an automatic turn off as well as the proper function of the device.   

 

7.         Adjustment during a jump outside an airport

 

If the landing surface is located higher or lower than the starting place, the device has to be adjusted to a correct value as follows:

If the device is on, turn it off. Activate the device by means of the activation sequence. As soon as the display begins to read [ ON ], press the right button ( > ) and keep it pressed until the display starts to show [ SEt ]. By pressing the right button or keeping it pressed adjust the required height of the landing ground (±600 m). Confirm your selection by pressing the left button ( o ). Once the calibration has been completed, the device switches to a stand-by mode. The display shows, in turns, a time countdown and a set height, for instance, [ 14:00 ] …[ + 120 ] … [ 14:00 ].

 

After planned landing on the landing ground outside an airport using the re-calibration of the landing ground height, the device turns off automatically! The display is empty and when pressing  on the button the [ OFF ] sign becomes displayed. Prior to the next jump, be it on the original or a new landing ground, turn on the device again.

 

8.         User Menu

 

To enter the User Menu press the right button ( > ) and keep it pressed for about 4 seconds.

The display will show [ -01- ].  Release the button and the display will show the height of opening. If you keep on pressing the button, you will start going through the menu. Press the left button ( o ) to leave the menu. After a while the menu will deactivate itself.

 

     Menu beginning

            [ -01- ]             [  888o ]          opening height during the last jump

            [ -02- ]             [  888J ]          total number of jumps

            [ -03- ]             [  88% ]          remaining battery capacity in percents

            [ -04- ]             [ 3.65v ]          battery voltage in volts

            [ -05- ]             [  888d ]          battery age in days

            [ -06- ]             [ 41b8  ]          device manufacturing number

            [ -07- ]             [ 01.00 ]          controlling firmware version

        Menu end

 

9.         Error statuses

 

If [ Exxx ] (error) appears on the display during automatic control or at any time, it is necessary to replace either  the battery or the chopping mechanism, or to restart the device.

If [ Fxx  ]  (failure)  appears on the display, the device must be sent to the manufacturer for inspection. In this case the device becomes blocked and cannot be turned off.

 

E001, E010     Range error during calibration. The scatter of pressure samples is too large.

E002, E020     Chopping