To sell the Astra, tell your customer the facts. Good information sources for Astra Expert unit include the information package "Astra Expert AAD - Information" especially the section titled "Advantages" and the new Astra flyer "Reliable, Robust, Affordable, Stylish, Rugged, Safe".
French Special Forces Commando saved by an Astra
Preliminary reports indicate that a French Special Forces Commando was saved by an Astra. A short time after the incident we started to receive inquiries for information on the Astra AAD from other French Governmental entities.
Astra Expert Two Pin:
You may have seen the Astra Expert Two Pin P/N 811-356-2 on a rig already. Units have been out in the field on both the West coast and the East Coast for the previous year while undergoing Beta testing and evaluation. We are very pleased with their performance.
Labeling:
In response to customer feedback FXC is initiating a program whereby the serial numbers, MOD no., etc. will be recorded on a label that will be affixed to the Astra Control Head. This will facilitate tracking units.
Battery Life
Data from the field, mainly from our Beta testers, is indicating that battery performance is significantly exceeding expectations. Whilst the nominal minimum performance is 150 hours of continuos use it appears that actual battery endurance is far more than this. Nonetheless FXC recommends changing the battery after 500 operations or 5 years whichever comes first( It is worth the low cost of batteries to replace a set at this time while your reserve is open).
When the battery voltage goes down to 7.2 volts the Astra will disarm itself and show a solid green light.
Switch the unit off. (You can check a battery using a regular multi tester. New should read 9.0 to 9.5 Volts DC, mid-life should be around 8.0 Volts DC).
Approved Reserve Locking loop materials.
Based on feedback from independent testing we have amended the list of approved reserve closing loop materials to include only Spectra CSR style #9512-300, CSR style #9512-725, and Cypres locking(Spectra cord). The previously approved coreless Mil-C-5040 T/2A 225 lb. coreless, and Mil-C-5040 T/3 550 lb. coreless proved on some rare circumstances to require up to 1lb of force to withdraw through the Astra Expert Cutter head. While we felt that it was extremely unlikely that this would ever create a problem, however unlikely it is, in the interest of maximizing safety, FXC decided to follow the most prudent and conservative path in this matter.
Creeping Shrink Wrap
FXC received a comment back from the field that the shrink wrap on the battery pack was intruding /creeping up onto the terminals creating an intermittent connection. This may have been a single isolated incident. However in the interests of safety, please check that the shrink wrap on the battery pack does not impede the connection to the terminals when the battery is seated. If you suspect a problem of this nature return the battery pack to FXC or make the needed minor modification (removal) of the shrink wrap that impedes the connection.
Grounding Pins
If you intend to disconnect the Control head for any reason (perhaps installation) you must remember to disconnect the Cutter first, then disconnect the Altitude Control Head , do the installation, reconnect the Altitude Control Head and then ground the appropriate cutter pins before reconnecting the cutter assembly.
Slack on Shoulder
There have been no reports of damage to cables due to installation etc. However in order to forestall the potential for such issues in the long term correct installation procedures should be followed. When installing the Astra Expert Altitude Control Assembly on the front right lift web it is important to ensure that the cable over the shoulder is retained in place by tacking or channeling. The installation and cable attatchment should be made with sufficient slack and play in the cable to allow the Altitude Control Assembly to "float".
Closing loop abrasion
A small portion of the very first lot of cutters were manually deburred. The remainder were machine deburred. A case was brought to our attention where there appeared to be some indication of abrasion damage occurring to the Reserve closing loop where the loop passed through the cutter head of a manually deburred cutter. This problem does not occur with the machine deburred cutters. If the cutter head is dated 02- 96 please inspect the closing loop for abrasion damage on your next repack cycle. If some abrasion damage has occurred please return the cutter to FXC for exchange.
Shoulder kits (P/N 811-00405 )are now available for cosmetic improvement.
There have been occasional reports of cracking of the external covering of the cable as it enters the shoulder of the stress relief mounting on the Altitude Control Assembly. This type of cracking affects only the cosmetic appearance of the Astra. Future Astras will have a design that prevents this cracking occurring. Fix kits (P/N 811-00405) are available free from FXC which can easily and simply be installed to improve the cosmetic appearance of the cable at the shoulder as it enters the Altitude Control Assembly. To receive the fix kit please contact us and request an Astra Shoulder Fix Kit quoting P/N 811-00405.
Turning the Astra Expert "ON" and "OFF".
FXC recommends that you turn the Astra Expert "ON" before each jump to recalibrate and after the jump to turn it "OFF" to conserve battery life.
Turn the Astra "ON" just prior to entering the aircraft. Turn the Astra "OFF" just after you land. If convenient, you can turn the Astra "OFF" under canopy. This will: a) Allow you to choose when to deploy the reserve if involved in a canopy wrap. b) Conserve battery life.
Do not turn the Astra Expert on in the Aircraft. It will calibrate to whatever elevation the Aircraft is at. When you pass through that altitude + 1000' in freefall the Astra will fire.
Next Generation Astra
Your ideas will help to define the design of AADs into the 21st Century. FXC is continuously working on incorporating suggested improvements to the Astra. Many of these improvements are based on feedback direct from customers in the Field. The suggestions may be a simple improvement that we can action immediately or the suggested improvements could be applicable only at some distant future time if at all. Some of these improvements might be technical in nature or they could be to do with the marketing of the device. We highly value all these suggestions.
Please continue to give us this feedback.
Astra Expert Mod 3 Software upgrade.
This Product Service Bulletin affects units with serial numbers from 0101 to serial numbers 1311. If the serial number is between 0101 and 1311, and there is no M3 (Mod 3) or higher Mod No. printed on the Modification box on the Astra Expert label the Astra is suitable for upgrade to MoD 3.
Our continuing and extensive research and testing program, has allowed the development of further improved and more sophisticated signal processing and software driven filtering. This development in combination with some parameter changes will further improve the performance of the Astra Expert. The rates of descent that the Astra Expert will fire at has been changed to 130 feet per second. The arming altitude has been increased to 1,700 feet above calibration altitude.
You may take the following steps to receive the free upgrade. Take your Astra Expert and a copy of this document to your dealer. Or package your unit and send it by traceable methods( US Mail, UPS, FEDEX,) to FXC Corporation, including a note requesting the Mod 3 upgrade and listing a return address. The unit will be returned 7 working days after receipt.
If FXC receives your unit for this free upgrade before January 1, 1998 your Astra Expert battery pack will automatically be replaced with a free battery pack at no charge to you. After January 1, 1998 the upgrade will still be available.
We recommend that you take advantage of this offer to maximize the performance of your Astra Expert. In addition your Astra Expert will transition through the FXC Production and Quality Control process with the effect that your unit will in effect leave the factory as a completely refurbished unit.
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ASTRA AAD
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CORPORATION
3410 South Susan Street
Santa Ana, California 92704
(714) 556-7400
FAX (714) 641-5093
E-Mail: fxc@pia.com