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EquipmentPublished: 4 May 20262 min readManufacturer bulletin

Aerodyne ICON: mandatory AAD cutter relocation before the next jump

Service Bulletin SB300426 covers specified ICON containers in sizes 1–5. An appropriately rated rigger must complete the work under the manufacturer's procedure.

A rigger inspects reserve-system and AAD componentsAI art
Skyluma / OpenAI

Aerodyne Research changed earlier guidance on AAD cutter placement to mandatory status. Service Bulletin SB300426, dated 30 April 2026, requires affected ICON containers to be modified before their next jump.

Systems named by the bulletin

The document identifies ICON NEXGEN sizes 1–5, including specified LONG variants, and ICON PRE-NEXGEN sizes 1–5. Installation details depend on generation and MARD configuration. Serial numbers beginning ‘IX’ identify NEXGEN and ‘IN’ PRE-NEXGEN, but a rigger should determine applicability from the complete bulletin.

What changes

The AAD cutter is to be located above the reserve pilot chute on the specified container flap. The flap number varies by configuration, which is why this news summary must not be used as a work instruction.

  • do not make another jump on an affected system before compliance is confirmed
  • give the rigger the serial number, model and configuration
  • the modification requires an appropriately qualified and rated rigger
  • completion should be documented as required by the manufacturer

USPA circulated the bulletin to members and group drop zones. An owner uncertain about an ICON configuration should pause use and contact a rigger or the manufacturer.