04/28/2026
IMPORTANT — Aerodyne Technical Bulletin & What It Actually Means
I want to address some misinformation that has been circulating in our community regarding Aerodyne's recent Technical Bulletin on AAD cutter placement. I've seen advice suggesting that this bulletin is "not mandatory" and that jumpers and riggers don't need to act on it. That advice is incorrect and potentially dangerous.
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UNDERSTANDING THE DOCUMENTS
There are three types of manufacturer and regulatory communications that matter here, and they are not the same thing:
An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 39. It is federal law — legally enforceable and non-negotiable. No AD has been issued for this situation yet.
A Service Bulletin (SB) is issued by the manufacturer. It is advisory in nature under FAA regulations alone, but carries serious professional and safety weight — especially when safety-related.
A Technical Bulletin (TB), like the one Aerodyne has issued, is also a manufacturer communication. "Technical Bulletin" is not an official FAA term, which is where some of the confusion begins. But here's what people are missing:
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WHY IT IS, IN PRACTICE, MANDATORY FOR RIGGERS
FAR 65.129 — federal law governing parachute rigger performance standards — requires certificated riggers to pack and maintain parachutes IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.
Aerodyne has explicitly elevated their AAD cutter placement guidance from "Recommended" to "MANDATORY."
When the manufacturer of a TSO-certified, life-safety piece of equipment tells you something is mandatory, and federal regulation requires you to follow manufacturer instructions, packing that container out of compliance puts you in direct conflict with FAR 65.129 — regardless of whether the FAA has issued an AD.
Ignoring this also exposes any rigger to serious civil liability, particularly in the context of an active fatality investigation involving this specific equipment.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
On April 6, 2026, a fatal incident occurred at GoSkydive Headcorn in the UK involving an Aerodyne ICON container system. British Skydiving issued Safety Notice SN-01/26 and grounded all ICON systems at affiliated PTOs. The investigation is active and ongoing — no conclusions have been reached about cause or equipment performance.
Aerodyne Research has confirmed they are actively supporting the investigation and has asked that ICON owners and riggers who are not jumping keep reserve containers closed so pack jobs can be preserved for possible evaluation.
The USPA and the Parachute Industry Association (PIA) are both monitoring the situation closely.
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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
• If you own or pack an Aerodyne ICON, read the Technical Bulletin directly from Aerodyne Research at flyaerodyne.com.
• Do not jump an ICON that has not been packed in compliance with the updated mandatory guidance.
• If you have questions about whether your equipment is compliant, contact your rigger or reach out to Aerodyne directly.
• Follow Aerodyne Research and the PIA for updates as the investigation continues.
Our community's strength has always been looking out for each other. In a sport where equipment performance is literally life and death, now is not the time to minimize guidance from the manufacturer of your life-safety system.
Blue skies and please be safe out there.
— Shauna Finley
FAA Master Rigger, DPRE (Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner)
Fin16sds@gmail.com
