FXC CORPORATION / GUARDIAN PARACHUTE
3410 South Susan Street, Santa Ana, California 92704 U.S.A.
(714) 556-7400  /  FAX (714) 641-5093  /  E-mail: fxc@pia.com

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The Parachute Industry Association

Automatic Parachute Ripcord Release Model 12000

NSN 1670-01-111-1050

FXC Corporation is the industry leader of Automatic Ripcord Releases, supplying in excess of 80,000 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 world's 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 12000's 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 unit's preset altitude, and for whatever reason, the parachutist's 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 12000's release altitude setting.

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

Important note: 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 Operational 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 12000's altitude control may be set from 1,000 to 4,000 ft. above ground level (AGL). Ground level may be anywhere from sea level to 10,000 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.
2. 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.
3. The Model 12000 WILL NOT OPERATE when the parachutist is above the unit's altitude setting, regardless of his rate-of-descent.
4. The Model 12000 WILL NOT OPERATE when the parachutist reaches the unit's altitude setting and his rate-of-descent is less than 40 feet per second.
5. The Model 12000 WILL OPERATE when the parachutist reaches the unit's altitude setting and his rate-of-descent is greater than 65 feet per second.
6. 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.