The CYPRES 2 is available in several different models. Each was designed to meet the needs of specific users (students, expert skydivers and tandem jumpers). Each model can indicate altitude in either feet or meters.

Converting models on Cypres 2
A conversion between each model is possible. This means you can swap between any of the four modes
Expert <-> Student <-> Tandem <-> Speed 


To prevent accidentally setting, the procedure will be performed at the manufacturer. It will be executed by the same people that built the unit, including new settings, a new color corresponding push button, a new label, and a complete functional test. All this at no charge.

Use in a 1-pin reserve container and the use in a 2-pin reserve container
All CYPRES can be used in both container types.
Through the plug-and-socket cutter connection a swap from 1-pin cutter to 2-pin cutter or vice versa can be simply done by pluging-out and pluging-in without opening the unit and without use of any tools.

CYPRES 1 was produced from 1991 to spring 2003 and is no longer available.

All CYPRES units have been designed to work as trouble free as possible. It is and always has been our intention to manufacture an AAD with an extremely easy and logical handling method. The result is a quite short feature list. On all CYPRES units, you have one button and one LED. You can switch a CYPRES 1 on, you can do an altitude adjustment, in case your landing area is higher or lower, and you can switch it off manually. If you forget, the unit will do it automatically after 14 hours.

This was the feature list of the CYPRES 1. In addition to those features the CYPRES 2 can display the serial number of the unit and the maintenance due date. In case the maintenance should be due, the unit will remind you automatically during the self test. As you see, there are not too many features on this list either. We are convinced that more options or features will result in less safety.

If you purchase a CYPRES you have the option between the 4 models: Expert, Student, Tandem, Speed. Each of these different models is built for a certain application. You can choose between a model with altitude adjustment in feet or meters and between a CYPRES with one or two release elements (cutter).

If you are using an altimeter in feet, it makes sense to purchase a CYPRES with the altitude adjustment in feet. From a technical point of view, it would not be at all difficult to configure any unit with more features. But we are deeply convinced – and the experience from the past twelve and a half years confirms this – that this works best for the very critical purpose of manufacturing an AAD for skydivers. This way, skydivers know exactly what they are doing when they switch their CYPRES on in the morning, there is no chance of entering or activating a different feature – because there is none.

As a Cypres distributor we are please to pass on the offer from Airtec to trade in your old Cypres unit if purchasing a new unit.

Details

The Expert CYPRES allows skydiving without any restrictions. The Expert CYPRES leaves the skydiver all freedom during his freefall. The wildest maneuvers do not irritate any CYPRES. The Expert CYPRES also allows all possible maneuvers under canopy. It can be used for accuracy, style, formation skydiving, canopy formation, free flying, fun jumping, aggressive canopy flying and other activities in the air. Of course, one unit can’t cover all aspects of skydiving. Therefore we have two other units available.

The Expert CYPRES can be recognized by the red button on the control unit.
It activates the release unit when it detects a rate of descent higher than 78 mph (35 m/sec) at an altitude of approx. 750 feet (approx. 225 meters) above ground level (AGL). In the event of a cutaway below this height CYPRES will operate down to approx. 130 feet AGL, however activation will not occur unless sufficient speed is obtained. Below approx. 130 feet (approx. 40 meters) AGL opening is no longer useful. For this reason, CYPRES ceases operation below approximately 130 feet AGL.

Technical Data:

Cable length of control unit: approx. 650 mm
Volume: approx. 139 cm³
Weight: approx. 182 grams
Activation altitude: approx.750 feet (225 m)
Activation speed: approx. ³ 78 mph (35 m/s)
Length, width, height of the processing unit: approx. 85 x 43 x 32 mm
Length, width, height of the control unit: approx. 65 x 18 x 6,5 mm
Length, diameter of the release unit: approx. 43 x 8 mm
Cable length of the release unit: approx. 500 mm
Storage temperature: +71° to -25° Celsius
Working temperature: +63° to -20° Celsius *
Maximum allowable humidity: up to 99,9 % rel. humidity
Water resistant: up to 15 minutes at depth of 15 feet
Altitude adjustment limits: ±1500 feet or ±500 m
Operating range below / above sea level: -1500 feet to +26,000 feet (-500 m to +8000 m)
Functioning period: 14 hours from switch-on
Power supply: lifetime warranty**
Maintenance: 4 and 8 years from date of manufacture
Total lifetime: 12 years from date of manufacture***
* These temperature limits do not mean the outside (ambient) temperatures but rather temperatures inside the processing unit. Therefore, these limits won't have any meaning until the processing unit itself has reached the temperatures in question. In actual fact, these limits will rarely be reached due to the mandatory location of the CYPRES in the reserve container, and the insulating properties of the processing unit pouch and parachute canopies.
** If required maintenance has been performed.
*** Anticipated, according to the present knowledge base.

This unit was especially developed for first jump students and all students which are under direct supervision of the instructors.

The Student CYPRES can be recognized by the yellow button with the imprint "Student" on the control unit.

It will activate the release unit when the rate of descent exceeds 29 mph (13 meters per second). The activation altitude is split. In the case of rate of descent being equal to that of freefall, the opening altitude is at approx. 750 feet (the same as with Expert CYPRES). However, should the rate of descent be lower than that of freefall but still above the limit of 29 mph (e.g. with partially opened canopy, or after a cutaway), then Student CYPRES activates the release unit when the altitude falls below approx. 1000 feet (approx. 300 meters) above ground level. The student will then have more time to prepare for landing. Like the Expert CYPRES, the Student CYPRES ceases operation below approx. 130 feet AGL.
Unlike the Expert and Tandem CYPRES models, we recommend that the Student CYPRES be switched off in the aircraft prior to descent if the jump is aborted and the student will land with the plane, because the vertical speed of a descending jump plane will exceed the activation speed of Student CYPRES.

Be aware that it is possible to exceed a vertical speed of 29 mph (13 meters per second) under a fully inflated canopy!

If a jump plane is descending with students still on board, switch the Student CYPRES off before reaching 1500 ft (450 meters) above ground.
If this is not possible, the descent rate of the plane must not exceed 1500 ft/min below 1500 feet above ground. Close open doors.

Technical Data:

Cable length of control unit: approx. 1000mm
Volume: approx. 144 cm³
Weight: approx. 199 grams
Activation altitude: approx. 1000 / 750 feet
(approx. 300 / 225 m)
Activation speed: approx. ³ 29 mph (13 m/s)
Length, width, height of the processing unit: approx. 85 x 43 x 32 mm
Length, width, height of the control unit: approx. 65 x 18 x 6,5 mm
Length, diameter of the release unit: approx. 43 x 8 mm
Cable length of the release unit: approx. 500 mm
Storage temperature: +71° to -25° Celsius
Working temperature: +63° to -20° Celsius *
Maximum allowable humidity: up to 99,9 % rel. humidity
Water resistant: up to 15 minutes at depth of 15 feet
Altitude adjustment limits: ±1500 feet or ±500 m
Operating range below / above sea level: -1500 feet to +26,000 feet (-500 m to +8000 m)
Functioning period: 14 hours from switch-on
Power supply: lifetime warranty**
Maintenance: 4 and 8 years from date of manufacture
Total lifetime: 12 years from date of manufacture***
* These temperature limits do not mean the outside (ambient) temperatures but rather temperatures inside the processing unit. Therefore, these limits won't have any meaning until the processing unit itself has reached the temperatures in question. In actual fact, these limits will rarely be reached due to the mandatory location of the CYPRES in the reserve container, and the insulating properties of the processing unit pouch and parachute canopies.
** If required maintenance has been performed.
*** Anticipated, according to the present knowledge base.

The Tandem CYPRES can be recognized by the blue button with the imprint "Tandem" on the control unit.
It activates the release unit when it detects a rate of descent higher than 78 mph (35 m/sec) at an altitude of approx. 1900 (approx. 570 meters) feet AGL.
Like the Expert CYPRES, the Tandem CYPRES ceases operation below approx. 130 feet (approx. 40 meters) AGL. In the event of a cutaway, activation will not occur until sufficient speed is obtained.

It leaves also enough altitude for the worst case scenario: Freefall with no drogue out. The Tandem CYPRES saved dozens of tandem couples in the past 13 years.

Technical Data:

Cable length of control unit: approx. 650 mm
Volume: approx. 139 cm³
Weight: approx. 182 grams
Activation altitude: approx. 1900 feet (580 meter)
Activation speed: approx. ³ 78 mph (35 m/s)
Length, width, height of the processing unit: approx. 85 x 43 x 32 mm
Length, width, height of the control unit: approx. 65 x 18 x 6,5 mm
Length, diameter of the release unit: approx. 43 x 8 mm
Cable length of the release unit: approx. 500 mm
Storage temperature: +71° to -25° Celsius
Working temperature: +63° to -20° Celsius *
Maximum allowable humidity: up to 99,9 % rel. humidity
Water resistant: up to 15 minutes at depth of 15 feet
Altitude adjustment limits: ±1500 feet or ±500 m
Operating range below / above sea level: -1500 feet to +26,000 feet (-500 m to +8000 m)
Functioning period: 14 hours from switch-on
Power supply: lifetime warranty**
Maintenance: 4 and 8 years from date of manufacture
Total lifetime: 12 years from date of manufacture***
* These temperature limits do not mean the outside (ambient) temperatures but rather temperatures inside the processing unit. Therefore, these limits won't have any meaning until the processing unit itself has reached the temperatures in question. In actual fact, these limits will rarely be reached due to the mandatory location of the CYPRES in the reserve container, and the insulating properties of the processing unit pouch and parachute canopies.
** If required maintenance has been performed.
*** Anticipated, according to the present knowledge base.

From January 1991 to December 1993, all rigs that could accept a CYPRES unit needed a retrofit. Donning a retrofit involved, sewing the pouch, cutter elastic(s), and cable housings into the container. The necessary materials including the CYPRES loop system were distributed as an “installation set” (which came as standard with each new CYPRES). To assure the correct installation procedure Airtec provided the “Rigger's Guide for Installation”, which was only available as a 2 part package. Part 1 of the package contained a guidebook, a video, a set of installation aids, operating materials and a test paper. Part 2 was obtained from Airtec on successful completion of the test. This qualified riggers to proceed with CYPRES installations.
In 1994 rig manufacturers started to equip their new rigs with a CYPRES ready set up as standard. Each set up is the result of ongoing cooperation between the rig manufacturer and Airtec. Presently many of these set ups have well-integrated installations with a cosmetic design.
To guarantee uniformity for all CYPRES units, the important materials for the installations are still delivered by Airtec to the rig manufacturers. Every new rig of course comes with a CYPRES Loop System which Airtec supplies. This loop system alone amplifies the safety of our sport.
Presently, it is hard to find a rig manufacturer anywhere in the world who does not supply the CYPRES set up with their new rigs.
The “Rigger's Guide for Installation“ is available from The Airtec download center.

CYPRES, which is the acronym of "CYbernetic Parachute RElease System", is an automatic activation device, which meets all needs and wishes of today's skydivers. Once it is installed, you can't hear it, you can't feel it and you can't see it.
The operation is quite simple: Just switch it on in the morning prior to the first jump, then forget about it. It is not necessary to switch it off, because CYPRES will do this itself after 14 hours.

The weather is constantly checked by CYPRES over the day by measuring the air pressure twice a minute. This means that the unit is always calibrated to the precise ground level.

The Expert CYPRES is designed in a way that it won't restrict the skydiver in any way. Even with extreme manoeuvres during exit and in freefall, CYPRES will cope with it. Whatever you can think of under canopy like stalls, spiral turns, down planes, hook turns with the smallest canopies as well as any CRW, CYPRES will analyze these movements without problems. It won't interfere with any normal activities while skydiving.

Only freefall in very low altitude will cause CYPRES to take action. In this situation CYPRES will activate the reserve approx. 4.5 seconds prior to impact.

Besides the Expert CYPRES there are the Tandem and Student CYPRES. These models meet the special requirements of tandem jumps and student training.

CYPRES constantly checks 7 criteria. When they are all "yes" then CYPRES will activate.

Total Control is a PREMIUM Airtec dealer and Authorised maintenance provider.

The extremely reliable function of CYPRES is based on 4 facts:

1. Exclusive use of carefully pretreated and approved parts
2. Strict detailed manufacturing procedures
3. Continuous quality control and monitoring through the manufacturing process
4. Regular periodic technical service (maintenance).

4 and 8 years after the original date of manufacture, maintenance procedures according to the manufacturers guidelines are necessary. There are 4 primary reasons for the maintenance:

1. Deviations between nominal and actual values are corrected to ideal values.
2. Every detail is observed. It is common that signs of wear and tear are corrected and sometimes even ‘cosmetic’ treatment is done.
3. The technical condition of each unit is analyzed.
4. The fact that a very high percentage of units are returned for the periodic maintenance gives the ability to see statistical trends and to predict potential problems at a very early stage.

The advantage: often it’s possible to prevent situations by modifications during the maintenance procedures, rather than having to fix problems with downtime later.
Experience shows that during a period of 4 years, changes and improvements do happen. Applicable updates are performed during maintenance. Such updates may have the background of technical improvements, or enhancement of knowledge, or may result from environmental changes in the sport (e.g. new disciplines), which Airtec is always researching and taking into consideration.
The most important part of the maintenance is the individual pre-adjustment of each unit for the next 4 years. A unit will not be returned before a high confidence level is reached regarding the prediction of the unit’s proper function for the next 4 years.
The maintenance has to be performed 4 and 8 years after the original date of manufacture. The earliest possible date for the CYPRES 2 maintenance is 6 months early, the latest 6 months after the month of manufacture.
A delayed maintenance has no advantage. It does not save any cost, nor will the total lifetime of the unit be extended. It’s smart to choose a suitable time during the 13 month window for sending the unit in for maintenance, rather than waiting until the last possible moment, or until the beginning of the next season. Because of the 50,000+ maintenance procedures performed to date on CYPRES, and changes incorporated into the design of CYPRES 2, Airtec has determined that it is possible to extend the maintenance window to 13 months on CYPRES 2. This maintenance window gives you more freedom, and avoids maintenance down-time at the wrong time of the year - please use this new feature wisely!
At any time it’s possible to check the date of the next maintenance by holding the button down at the last click during the switch-on procedure until you see ‘next maint. in month / year’. If the unit is 6 months before maintenance due date, the maintenance date (next maint. in month / year) will be shown at each selftest. 6 months after the due date the display will change to: ‘next maint. now’.
All displayed dates are only a reminder.
Please choose a suitable date during the 13 month time frame for a convenient performance of the maintenance. According to experience, the number of maintenances and the necessary time to do them increases February-May. For quicker service, a date between June and January is a better choice.