Airtec GmbH

October 09, 2002

To whom it may concern:

We would like to repeat our statement concerning the CYPRES units
which were involved in a train accident and which are now being
auctioned on Ebay.

We would hereby like to confirm once again that we do not consider it
opportune to continue using these CYPRES units as life-saving
devices.

Please let me explain the background for this decision as follows:
the damage on units which were involved in such an accident does not
have to be obvious.  As the plastic casing is relatively elastic, it
can surely transfer forces to the inside without leaving a trace on
the outside.  We have noticed several times that the metal casing
underneath the plastic casing was bent or damaged while the plastic
casing remained intact.  But even if the metal casing does not show
any damage, it is possible that the force was transferred directly to
the CYPRES's electronic components which may result in damage of
the components or even the PCB.

Such damage does not necessarily have to lead to an immediate failure
of the device. But it is possible that, under certain temperature and
vibration circumstances, the unit will fail either temporarily or
permanently.  The CYPRES self-test is not designed to clearly identify
this class of problem.

That is why, even from the very beginning, it has always been our
policy stop CYPRES units which have been mis-used in any way from
being used as a life-saving device.  Any other decision would surely
lead to a decrease in safety.  During the PIA Symposium in San Diego
in 1999 this was the main topic of a seminar.  All participating
jumpers, instructors and responsible federation members agreed that a
decrease in safety was not acceptable under any circumstances.

In order to point it out very clearly once again, we do not consider
these CYPRES units to be air-worthy and we are not willing to service
these units anymore.

Best regards

Gerard Fetter,
Airtec GmbH