Change 1 (December 2015)
Preface....................................................................iii
Acknowledgments ..................................................v
Record of Changes ...............................................vii
Table of Contents ..................................................ix
Chapter 1
Introduction to Parachute Rigging ....................1-1
Regulations and Human Factors ....................................1-1
Parachute Rigger Certificates .........................................1-2
Eligibility and Requirements .....................................1-2
Earning a Parachute Rigger Certificate ......................1-2
Testing ....................................................................1-3
Alternate Means of Qualifying for a Parachute
Rigger Certificate ...................................................1-3
Retesting .................................................................1-3
Responsibilities of a Certificated Parachute Rigger ......1-5
Facilities and Tools ....................................................1-5
Performance Standards ..............................................1-5
Currency Requirements .............................................1-6
Record Keeping .........................................................1-7
Sealing the Parachute .................................................1-8
Regulatory Compliance .................................................1-8
14 CFR part 1—Definitions .......................................1-8
14 CFR part 21, subpart O—Technical Standard
Orders (TSO) ..............................................................1-8
14 CFR part 39—Airworthiness Directives (ADs) ....1-8
14 CFR part 91—General Operating and Flight
Rules ..........................................................................1-9
14 CFR part 105, subpart C—Parachute
Equipment and Packing .............................................1-9
Rigging Ethics ...............................................................1-9
Certification Specifications ........................................1-9
Pilot Versus Parachute Size ........................................1-9
Parachute Service Life................................................1-9
Chapter Summary ........................................................1-10
Chapter 2
Design and Construction ....................................2-1
Introduction ....................................................................2-1
Parachute Design and Construction ...............................2-2
Component Parts ...........................................................2-2
Main Parachute Canopy ............................................2-2
Reserve Parachute Canopy .........................................2-2
Emergency Parachute Canopy....................................2-2
Harness/Container ......................................................2-2
Pilot Chutes and Bridles for the Main and
Reserve Parachutes ................................................2-2
Ripcords or Equivalent Devices for the Main
and Reserve Parachutes .........................................2-3
Deployment Devices for the Main and Reserve
Parachutes ...............................................................2-3
Main Parachute Release Mechanism and
Associated Handles or Static Lines .......................2-3
Risers and Associated Steering Toggles .................2-3
TSO Standards ...............................................................2-4
Canopy Design ...............................................................2-5
Nomenclature .............................................................2-5
Construction Concepts and Techniques ....................2-5
Operational Theory.....................................................2-6
Materials .....................................................................2-6
Damage .......................................................................2-6
Containers ...................................................................2-6
Configuration ..............................................................2-7
Harness Design ..............................................................2-9
Bridles and Deployment Devices .................................2-11
Deployment Types ...................................................2-12
Type 1: Canopy First Deployment ......................2-12
Type 2: Two-Stow Diaper or Half Diaper ...........2-12
Type 3: Ascuitto or Piglet-Style Flat Diaper .......2-13
Type 4: Handbury or Preserve Full Diaper ..........2-13
Type 5: Free Bag .................................................2-13
Type 6: Sleeves .....................................................2-13
Bridles ......................................................................2-15
Pilot Chutes .................................................................2-17
Spring-Loaded Pilot Chutes .....................................2-17
Hand Deploy Pilot Chutes .......................................2-17
Automatic Activation Devices (AADs) and
Reserve Static Lines (RSLs) .......................................2-18
Automatic Activation Devices ................................2-18
Operation ..................................................................2-19
Reserve Static Line (RSL) Systems ........................2-21
RSL Designs .............................................................2-21
Table of Contents