Vigil have released a Product Service Bulletin (PSB- 01-2018, below in full), about Vigil AAD units with firmware 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 that have not been upgraded to a higher firmware version. The upgrade is mandatory before 31st May 2020 – but must be done before the next jump if the user is planning to exit the plane above 27,000 feet.
About Product Service Bulletin (PSB- 01-2018)
PSB- 01-2018 concerns all Vigils with firmware 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 that have not been upgraded to a higher firmware version. When a Vigil with firmware 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 gets above +/- 30,000 ft the Vigil will go into protection mode.
Therefore we decided that Vigils with firmware 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 are not allowed to go higher than 27,000 ft before they have received an upgrade with newer firmware in our factory. Vigils that do not go higher than 27,000 ft before exit, have no problem, and do not have to take any immediate action.
However to avoid that this PSB- 01-2018 may be forgotten in a few years, for Vigils not going higher than 27,000 ft, we are making an upgrade with new firmware mandatory latest 31st May 2020. This will give the skydivers the possibility to have this upgrade done at one of the next repacks.
Most firmware 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 will be found in a certain series of Vigil 2+ units, but a lot of these units have already received a new firmware, and so are not concerned. On the other hand, Vigil II units may also have received in the past an upgrade TO 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02. So it is important to check the current firmware in the “Info” menu on the Vigil itself (as described in the PSB- 01-2018).
If people have to send in units that are concerned by this PSB- 01-2018 please use our online RMA webform www.vigil.aero/rma and select PSB- 01-2018 in the “Device Info” “Reason” section. The only cost towards the customer is the shipping towards AAD Belgium or Vigil America. In return, we will give the unit a free full maintenance, free upgrade to Cuatro (only possible for SN > #11.800), and free shipping back to the dealer or customer.
Only Mandatory for High Altitude Jumps
To be clear, this PSB- 01-2018 is mandatory before the next jump, only if you are planning to go higher than 27,000 ft before exiting the plane with a Vigil that has 5.05/ 5.06/ 06.01 or 6.02 ** firmware.**
All other Vigils that have one of these firmwares and are not planning to go higher than 27,000ft before exit, have time until 31th May 2020 to have their unit upgraded.
We are very sorry about this unfortunate inconvenience, and hope you understand our concern for skydivers’ safety worldwide.
The Bulletin is printed in full below and can be downloaded here.
PRODUCT SERVICE BULLETIN
(Download here.)
Issue Date: 19 April 2018
Bulletin Number: PSB- 01-2018
Subject: Firmware Update and High Altitude Jumps
Status: MANDATORY PRIOR TO THE NEXT JUMP WITH
ANY AIRCRAFT ALTITUDE EXCEEDING 27,000 ft MSL
Identification: All Sport VIGIL II & Vigil 2+ with firmware versions 05 .05, 05.06, 06.01, 06.02
***This product service bulletin does not apply to Military Vigils***
Background
Due to an internal calculation algorithm, units with firmware versions 05.05/05.06/06.01/06.02 will enter protected CTRL-ERR mode when the measured pressure is less than 300 hPa. (Approximately 30,000 ft MSL).
Compliance
VIGIL II & VIGIL 2+ (does not apply to Military Vigils). All Vigil II and 2+ units with firmware versions 05.05/05.06/06.01/06.02 MUST be updated to a new firmware version.
The current firmware version MUST be checked in the info menu during the startup of the Vigil. (See Road Map – Parameter Sequence Flow Chart in the User’s Manual).
Compliance Date
Compliance is mandatory before any jump during which the aircraft is anticipated to reach, or reaches, any altitude above 27,000 ft MSL. DO NOT MAKE ANY JUMP IF THE AIRCRAFT, AT ANY TIME ON THE FLIGHT, EXCEEDS 27,000 ft MSL WITHOUT HAVING FIRST FULLY COMPLIED WITH THIS PSB.
For all users NOT making, or planning to make, a jump with an exit altitude above 27,000 ft MSL, or planning to make a flight above 27,000 ft MSL, compliance is still mandatory for all affected firmware versions, however compliance may be at the user’s convenience during any repack between the date of this PSB and 31 May 2020.
This is to prevent the risk of possible future high altitude use by a new owner or user, without compliance with, or awareness of this service bulletin.
Compliance Procedure and Costs:
- Please follow the return RMA procedure on-line at https://www.vigil.aero/servicing.
- The unit update, maintenance and return shipping from AAD Belgium or Vigil America to the customer will be at no charge to the customer.
- The shipping cost to AAD Belgium or to Vigil Amercica will be the customer’s responsibility.
- Repack costs and expenses are solely the customer’s responsibility. No claims for repack costs and expenses will be accepted.
Authority:
Jo Smolders, Managing Director, A.A.D. nv/sa, Bd. A. Reyers, 193, 1030 Brussels – Belgium – Europe
- Tel: +32.2.732.65.52
- Fax: +32.2.736.06.27
- www.vigil.aero – rma@viqil.aero
Vigil America, Inc, 1400 Flightline Blvd., Suite C, Deland, FL 32724
- Tel: +1.386.736.8464
- Fax: +1.386.736.8468
- www.vigil.aero – candace@vigil.aero
Distribution of this Advisory Product Service Bulletin shall include, but is not limited to:
- All AAD dealers.
- Parachute Industry Association.
- All identified parachuting publications.
- All identified parachuting Federations and Associations
- All National Aero Clubs, Parachuting Section.
- IPC Technical Committee
