AUTOMATIC PARACHUTE RIPCORD RELEASE MODEL 12000

FXC Corporation is the industri leader of Automatic Ripcord Releases, supplying in excess of 80000 units to Armed Forces all over the world.

The Model 12000 design reflects an accumulation of over 20 years of research and development of personnel safety equipments.

The Model 12000 is the most advanced state-of-the-art Mechanical Automatic Parachute Ripcord Release. It has been specifically designed as an emergency safety device for parachutists making premeditated parachute jumps.

DESCRIPTION

The FXC Model 12000 Automatic Parachute Ripcord Release is a precision device, designed for parachutists making premeditated parachute jumps. It was designed, developed, and is manufactured by FXC Corporation, the worlds largest manufacturer of Automatic Parachute Ripcord Releases.

The Model 12000 is completely mechanical in action - not dependent upon batteries, squibs, or pyrotechnic devices. Its design is both compact and rugged in order to withstand the service normally found in parachute jumping. The Model 12000 can be used on both the main and/or reserve of a tandem system, as well as a chest mounted reserve.

The Model 12000s function is to automatically withdraw the parachute ripcord pins in the event the parachute ripcord pins in the event the parachutist reaches the point of the units preset altitude, and for whatever reason, the parachutists rate-of-descent is exceeding 65 feet per second. Under normal conditions the Model 12000 would not operate, due to the parachutist having deployed his main chute, thus slowing his rate-of-fall below 40 feet per second, prior to reaching the Model 12000s release altitude setting.

The sensing mechanism senses the rate of fall vertically (velocity downward).

IMPORTANT

The Model 12000 has a "Safety Lockout Knob." The Jumper, before climbing into the aircraft, must turn the knob to "JUMP." If the Jump is aborted for any reason, the "Safety Lockout Knob" must be turned to "OFF." This is done to avoid any possibility of the unit firing in the rapidly descending aircraft when below the release altitude setting.

MANDATORY OPERATIONS PROCEDURES

The Model 12000 Automatic Parachute Ripcord Release altitude settings must be PRESET on the ground at the Drop Zone BEFORE EACH JUMP. Never calibate the Model 12000 in an aircraft in flight. Serious injury and/or fatality can result

 OPERATION 

  1. The Model 12000s altitude control may be set from 1000 to 4000 ft. above ground level (AGL). Ground level may be anywhere from sea level to 10000 ft. elevation. The altitude control, while on the ground, reads directly in feet ground level (AGL) at which it has been set to operate. Knowledge of field elevation and/or barometric pressure is not required.
  1. Beginning with serial  #4000, the release trigger mechanism rate-of-descent has been preset during manufacture at 40 feet per second NO FIRE and 65 feet per second ALWAYS FIRE.
  2. The Model 12000 WILL NOT OPERATE when the parachutist is above the units altitude setting, regardless of his rate-of-descent.
  3. The Model 12000 WILL NOT OPERATE when the parachutist reaches the units altitude setting and his rate-of-descent is less than 40 feet per second.
  4. The Model 12000 WILL OPERATE when the parachutist reaches the units altitude setting and his rate-of-descent is greater than 65 feet per second.
  5. The Model 12000 WILL OPERATE IF the parachutist is at, or below, the altitude setting and his rate-of-fall increases from less than 40 to more than 65 feet per second.

EXAMPLE

If the Model 12000 has been set to operate at 1000 ft. above ground level (AGL) and the parachutist opened his main canopy at 2500 ft. above ground level (AGL), the Model 12000 would NOT OPERATE at 1000 ft. because the parachutists rate-of-decent would not be great enough to trigger the unit into operation.

An example can be illustrated by the following incident: A jumper has the Model 12000, which has been preset at 1500 ft. above ground level (AGL), attached to his reserve parachute. The jumper opens his main parachute at 3000 ft. above ground level (AGL) and descends under an open canopy to an altitude of 1500 ft. At this slow rate-of-descent, the Model 12000 will not fire. HOWEVER, at 1200 ft. above ground level (AGL) a mid -air collision occurs collapsing the jumpers canopy. As soon as the jumpers rate-of-descent is increased to greater than 40  to 65 feet per second, the Model 12000 will trigger, pulling his reserve ripcord within 300 feet.

FUNCTIONAL TEST

The Model 12000 can be actiated after installation in the parachute pack,guaranteeing ripcord pin release by inserting the Altitude Control Assembly into a plastic bag with the Safety/Lockout Knob set on ”JUMP” and by applying pressure or blowing into the bag, the unit will activate.

CAUTION: The FXC Modell 12000 must ”not be fired” without a load.

 ALTITUDE SETTING

Step 1
Set Saftey Lockout Knob to ”JUMP”.

Step 2
Fit a coin or token into the slot of Altitude Control Knob as shown and by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise, adjust to desired altitude. No other step or tool is required.

NOTE: Altitude Setting Needle

It is normal for the Altitude Needle to disappear during ascent.

It is also normal for the Non-Stretch Air House to rotate freely at point of attachment to Altitude Control Unit.

For any other installation systems, please contact the container manufacturer direct.

Warranty is one (1 year) from date manufacture.

DISCLAIMER

The seller and/or manufactor of parachute shall in no event be liable for personal injuries or for any other damages, whether direct or consequential to any person, and have no other liabillity in connection with this device, and the Seller further DISCLAIMS and the Buyer and/or user hereby WAIVES any such liabillty.

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

Controll of the Model 12000

MAINTENANCE

    1. The Model 12000 is a delicate instrument. To maintain it´s

reliabillity the user MOST NOT:
Drag it through sand.
Submerge it in any kind of liquid.
Alter, misuse, tamper, or strike the unit.

The Model 12000 MUST NOT BE FIRED WITHOUT A LOAD.

    1. Paramecanic AB or FXC Corp. will perform a complete functional test, free-of charge (if under warranty), should any repair or replacement parts necessary. Paramecanic will advise customer of costs involved before repairing the unit.
    1. If the user has any doubts, as to whether or not the Model 12000 is operating properly, return the unit to Paramecanic AB, Bålsta or FXC Corp, for free inspection (if under warranty).      
    1. If the Model 12000 is ever submerged in any kind of lizquid, it must be returned to PARAMECANIC or FXC Corp for complete disassembly. PAM/FXC will advise costs i involved before proceeding to repair the unit.
    1. When returning a unit to PAM/FXC Corp , it should be forwarded freight prepaid and will returned by PAM/FXC freight collect.
  1. For international customers send air parcel post only and do not claim the value SEK 500:- for customs duties purposes. Otherwise any additional costs for customs will be added to repair charges.

                 PERIODIC CYCLING INSPECTION

    1. If the Model 1200 is used on a reserve pack, it must be functionally tested in an altitude chamber at each repack cycle.
    1. If the unit is used on a mani parachute, it must be functionally tested in an altitude chamber every six months.
    1. All returned Model 12000´s will be automatically uppgraded to the latest  revision level.

 SERVICING

The Model 12000 Revision ” A” thru ” G ” require annual factory servicing while Revision ” J ” and later required factory servicing every two years.

WARRANTY is one (1) year from date manufacture. Warranty after servicing is one hundred twenty  (120) days.