Automatic activation device

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Automatic activation device (AAD) in skydiving terminology refers to an electronic-pyrotechnic or mechanical device that automatically opens the main or reserve parachute container at a preset altitude or after a preset time.

AADs are typically used to open the reserve parachute container at a preset altitude if the descent rate exceeds a preset activation speed.[1] This indicates that the user has not opened his or her parachute, or that the parachute is malfunctioning and is not slowing the descent rate sufficiently.

The older style mechanical AADs are falling out of fashion in favour of the newer style electronic-pyrotechnic models. The built-in computers in the newer models can make much better estimates of the altitude and the vertical speed, therefore making the units more reliable than the older types.


Examples of specific AADs are:


These types of AAD typically employ a small pyrotechnic charge to sever the reserve container closing loop, allowing the spring-loaded reserve pilot chute to deploy.

Manufacturer Models
Advanced Aerospace Designs Vigil, Vigil 2
Aviacom Argus
FXC Astra


Manufacturer Models
FXC Model 12000
Hi Tek Model 8000
SSE Sentinel[2]


AADs can malfunction and deploy the reserve parachute when the firing parameters have not been met, but this is rare even with the older mechanical AADs and almost unheard of with newer electronic models. This will result in either a premature reserve deployment if it happens prior to main deployment, or in both parachutes being deployed if it happens after main deployment. A premature reserve deployment can be dangerous if it happens while exiting the aircraft, in close proximity to other skydivers in freefall, or if the skydiver is falling faster than the safe deployment speed, which can result in catastrophic equipment failure and injury or even death of the jumper. A deployment of both canopies could result in an entanglement between the two canopies.

Undesired AAD activations can also occur due to user error. This can happen if the skydiver deploys the main canopy too low, and the AAD activates while the main is deploying, resulting in both parachutes being deployed. It can also happen if the AAD is not calibrated to the correct ground level, either due to turning the AAD on at a location with a different elevation than the airport, or entering an incorrect altitude offset (a feature that is normally used to compensate for a landing zone that is at a different elevation than the airport).

Some models of AAD carry a risk of deploying the reserve inside the aircraft in cases of sudden aircraft depressurization, or during a rapid descent when landing with the aircraft.

The risk of an AAD malfunction is far smaller than the risk of a situation in which the AAD can save somebody's life.[3] For this reason, many countries (such as Denmark)[4] require AADs for all skydivers and jumps. In countries where AADs are not legally mandated (such as the US), many drop zones still require all jumpers to use AADs. Others require all student jumpers to use them even if licensed jumpers are not.[5]

HADOPAD radar actuator[edit]

High-Altitude Delayed-Opening Parachute Actuating Device, also called HADOPAD, was a radar actuator used as a component in a delayed opening aerial-delivery system. The system was developed by the Harry Diamond Laboratories in the mid-1960s, which later became a part of Army Research Laboratory. The device, based on radar principles, opened a main recovery parachute at either of two preset heights (1,000 or 1,700 ft.) above the ground. The air delivery system consisted of the cargo package, two parachutes (drogue and main), and the radar actuator. The radar was designed to determine when the cargo reached a preset altitude, generating a firing signal which actuated a mechanism releasing the main parachute at that time.[6]

See also[edit]

Adrian Nicholas, noted skydiver who died from an AAD activation (by reaching the speeds required to activate his AAD under a high performance canopy).


  1. ^ "How Skydiving Works". 27 August 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  2. ^ User manual SSE Sentinel Archived July 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "CYPRES AAD - Automatic Activation Device for Skydiving". CYPRES. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  4. ^ "Faldskærmsbestemmelser" (PDF) (in Danish). Dansk Faldskærmsunion. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  6. ^ "HADOPAD radar actuator design and performance :: Parachute History Collection". Retrieved 2018-09-06.

External links[edit]