World Team 2006

Earlier, I wrote about the issue with some older model Cyprii and the shutdown-and-return-me-to-the-factory problem. Four Vigils fired on the same descent. Over 40 rigs were grounded as a result.

Think about it. The basic function of the AAD is to pop something out if you're still in freefall about four seconds from the ground. What if you took the same device, and...

- Took it to 24000', about 10,000' higher than "normal"
- Orbited there for half an hour
- Began to descend
- Pressurised the aircraft
- Depressurised the aircraft

One such design might go "!@$#! My sensors must be screwed! Get me to the factory!"
Another might activate, perhaps as a last resort.

This, of course, is just my speculation.

Anyway. Airtec, Germany, promptly put Kai (I think that's his name, and vaguely recall him as a principal there) on a plane with a sack of Cypres2 units. Two nights ago, the lobby of the Grand Hotel was filled with riggers, reserves, Cypres 2s and closing tools as everyone down with an AAD problem received a complimentary loan of a Cypres2 whilst the problem, and details, get sorted out.

Immediate problem fixed. We're back in the air. The rest can wait.

Winner: Cypres.