Apeks Flight Regulator & Free Gauge

The Lightest Regulator in the World

When we first decided to make the lightest of regulators we started with a blank canvas and looked at every aspect, from materials to shape, form and functionality. Our expertise and the vast archive of knowledge we have built up over the years, making the finest regulators, has produced Flight.

Apeks is known throughout the world for dive equipment of quality, craftsmanship and durability. Due to innovative design and the use of advanced materials, Flight regulators meet our high standards. They are tough, reliable and strong enough to cope with the demands and rigours of travelling. They are the most compact Apeks regulators ever made – small yet fully loaded with high performance and comfort.

Flight has been designed primarily for the travel diver. If you plan to dive mainly in colder waters below 10°C then we would recommend the Apeks XTX range which has been specifi cally designed for more extreme cold water diving. Flight comes into its own and excels as the perfect travel companion. As the lightest regulator in the world and the most compact regulator Apeks has ever made it is perfect for those exotic dive destinations. But using insulation techniques and advanced materials, Flight is also suitable for diving in waters as cold as 10°C. The area where a normal regulator 1st stage freezes is protected and insulated which reduces the freezing effect and this helps prevent freefl ows. The insulation effect is also evident in Flight’s 2nd stage.

Apeks Flight is lighter than any other comparable regulator made by any other manufacturer in the world. Our Design and Engineering Team have produced this revolutionary regulator using advanced composite materials selected for their optimum strength to weight ratio.

Components in both the 1st and 2nd stages are made from reinforced material specifically developed for the manufacture of technical components. It is strong, not affected by water or extreme ranges of temperature, has good dimensional stability, an excellent resistance to chemicals and does not deform. The perfect material for regulator parts. This Hi-Tech material is also used in “under-bonnet” components at the cutting edge of the motor industry due to its proven strength and resilience actually replacing many steel and brass parts.

The 1st stage has an ingenious design which comprises a strong forged solid brass skeletal body surrounded with the perfect jacket material. Due to exceptional engineering it is built to withstand the high pressures of compressed gas and to cope with the tough rigours of diving. Flight offers impact protection and good abrasion resistance meaning there is a reduced chance of accidental damage.

Flight also comes complete with a free matching lightweight sports bag, perfect for the transportation of your regulator.

Flight for Ladies

The compact size and lightweight properties of Flight are ideal for women. As such, we have made a Flight regulator especially for all female divers. Women’s faces and mouths are generally smaller than men’s. The Flight second stage has been engineered to feel secure in the mouth and be so comfortable that excessive grip is not necessary. The female version of Flight is made with a suitably designed mouthpiece. In tests, women have found this much more comfortable than standard mouthpieces. Flight co-ordinates well with many items of dive equipment currently available on the market. It is also very attractive in its own right. Why shouldn’t regulators look great as well as perform well.

A matching female octopus is also available (can be purchased separately or as part of an Apeks Stage3 set). Altogether a striking lightweight and compact set.

Ease of Use

Apeks has spent many years creating equipment divers will enjoy and also find easy to use. Flight uses much of this experience in its operation such as the balanced mechanisms of the 1st and 2nd stages, the venturi operation, the facility for technician fine tuning, and more. In addition Flight’s large purge is very easy to locate and made from a soft-touch but durable material. The purge is exceptionally stable as it is unaffected by temperature variation due to its innovative and unique design. As with other Apeks regulators Flight is very cost effective to maintain due to the efficiency of assembly and disassembly and the easily accessible components. This reduces the complication and time it actually takes to service and lessens the number of parts necessary for servicing which reduces maintenance costs. As a key bonus this efficiency of design is also very good for the environment.

Breathe Performance

Apeks Flight offers a silky smooth easy breathe, enhancing the pleasure of your dive. It was never intended that Flight replaces our world beating XTX regulators favoured by many professional and serious sport divers all over the world. Flight is a mid-range regulator ideal for transportation and travel to meet most divers’ needs. For the compact size of this regulator the breathe performance is exceptional in all positions and all dive conditions including cold water.

Flight - Tested Beyond Limits

Over one million breathing cycles prove its robustness and reliability. Rigorous and thorough impact tests have proven Flight beyond the limits any divers would ever experience. Fatigue testing has been carried out to prove Flight’s capabilities in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +80°C.

As they leave the factory, standard Apeks regulators are suitable for use with oxygen enriched gasses (i.e. Nitrox etc.) providing the oxygen content does not exceed 40%*. For mixtures containing more than 40% the regulators must be professionally converted to oxygen service by an Authorised Apeks Technician through an Authorised Apeks Dealer.

*For regulators purchased within European Community Countries, Apeks must adhere to the European Standards EN 144-3 and EN 13949 which state that any regulators purchased, which are for use with oxygen content of over 21%, must use the special M26 fi tting and the standard regulator fi ttings must not be used with mixes over 21%.

• 4 medium pressure ports 3/8” UNF
• 2 high pressure ports 7/16” UNF
• Strong skeletal body
• Impact protection
• Colour selection
• Male and female versions
• Nitrox available
• In-line hose position
• Balanced for superior performance
• Anti-snag Yoke handwheel
• 300 bar DIN handwheel or 232 bar yoke
  handwheel, both 2 shot moulded
• Weight DIN version – 340g (12.0oz)
• Weight Yoke version – 459g (16.2oz)

  Second Stage
  

  • Integrated Venturi System (IVS)
  • Pneumatically balanced valve design
  • Large tough purge
  • Purge operation unaffected by temperature change
  • Technician adjustable cracking resistance
  • Excellent bubble diversion
  • Neutrally buoyant
  • Lightweight hose
  • Colour selection
  • Male and female versions
  • Nitrox available
  • Matching male and female octopus

Weight – 127g (4.5oz) Total regulator weight including hose: DIN – 589g (20.8oz) YOKE – 708g (25.0oz)

TECHNICAL:

Suitable for Diving in Waters as Cold as 10°C

Flight has been designed primarily for the travel diver. If you plan to dive mainly in colder waters below 10°C then we would recommend the Apeks XTX range which has been specifically designed for more extreme cold water diving. Flight comes into its own and excels as the perfect travel companion. As the lightest regulator in the world and the most compact regulator Apeks has ever made it is perfect for those exotic dive destinations. But using insulation techniques and advanced materials, Flight is also suitable for diving in waters as cold as 10°C. The area where a normal regulator 1st stage freezes is protected and insulated which reduces the freezing effect and this helps prevent freefl ows. The insulation effect is also evident in Flight’s 2nd stage.

Balanced Diaphragm 1st Stage

The Apeks team has overcome complex engineering constraints and produced equipment that offers high performance, and yet remains uncomplicated, guaranteeing greater reliability and lower cost maintenance. The 1st stage – the powerhouse of your regulator – reduces the high pressure air stored in your cylinder to a controllable intermediate pressure of 9-10 bar. The air then fl ows along the medium pressure hose to the 2nd stage (demand stage). Flight 1st stages are of pressure adjustable balanced diaphragm design and supply air at exactly the right pressure. For example, as the diver descends the demand for air increases. To maintain the supply, the intermediate pressure increases in ratio to water depth and the resulting increased pressure acting on the primary diaphragm.

Bubble Diversion

The new exhaust T offers two big advantages.

Firstly it has been engineered to reduce bubble interference in the upright dive position. This has great benefi ts for observing marine life, for underwater photography/video and general diver comfort. The exhaust is manufactured in melt processable rubber and as such, there are no sharp edges and it fi ts snuggly and securely to the body of the 2nd stage. Aesthetically the exhaust fits beautifully with the rest of the regulator and yet performs wonderfully well.

Secondly the exhaust T has been shaped to actually assist the smooth breathe performance. When Apeks re-designs a regulator component, every aspect is considered to offer divers the best of all options. No detail is overlooked.

Integrated Venturi System (IVS)

Ambient pressure is greater than the pressure under the diaphragm, so the diaphragm is pushed down onto the lever to assist with the breathing effort. With the venturi in the minus position the air-fl ow from the 2nd stage is directed onto the diaphragm, closing the valve and preventing freefl ow. Gas fl ow to the diver can be directed towards the mouthpiece by indexing the venturi lever towards the plus (+) position. This allows the diver an assisted breathe resulting in a more comfortable dive with less breathing effort. Apeks IVS can therefore be used as a pre dive switch. With the lever set in the minus (–) position the 2nd stage will not freeflow during the entry phase or if the regulator is dropped in the water. When the diver begins to use the regulator the lever can be moved to the plus position and the 2nd stage will give increased venturi assistance

Balanced 2nd Stage

The diaphragm is drawn down as the diver inhales (see open position diagram) depressing the lever. The lever tilts and lifts the balanced valve and rubber seating off the seat (orifi ce) allowing air to fl ow through the valve mechanism to the diver’s mouth. When the diver exhales, the diaphragm recovers and the spring pushes the poppet valve and rubber seating back onto the seat, preventing further air flow.

Technician Adjustable 2nd Stage

Although not diver adjustable, the Flight 2nd stage is designed to allow an Apeks Trained Technician to fi nely adjust the cracking resistance. This allows the 2nd stage to be set to a minimum breathing effort with a wide range of 1st stage medium pressures.

First Stage