Change 1 (December 2015)
Harness Table and Machines ................................6-27
Cutting Table ........................................................6-27
Metal Working Area .............................................6-27
Office Area ...............................................................6-27
Materials Storage Area .............................................6-28
Chapter Summary ........................................................6-28
Chapter 7
Repairs, Alterations, and Manufacture ..............7-1
Introduction ....................................................................7-1
Inspection Process ..........................................................7-2
Major or Minor Repairs .................................................7-8
Contamination Conditions .............................................7-8
Acid Contamination .................................................7-10
Action ...................................................................7-10
Salt Water Contamination ........................................7-10
Action ...................................................................7-10
Removal of Perspiration ...........................................7-10
Removal of Fresh Water...........................................7-10
Removal of Mildew ..................................................7-10
Removal of Petroleum Products ...............................7-10
Removal of Bloodstains ...........................................7-10
Removal of Soil ........................................................7-10
Drying a Parachute ...................................................7-11
Cleaning the Parachute ............................................7-11
Hand Washing (If Absolutely Necessary) ............7-11
Approved Data .............................................................7-11
Types of Approved Data ..........................................7-12
Repair Techniques .......................................................7-12
Section 1, Canopy and Lines .......................................7-13
Detailed Information on Square Canopy Repairs.....7-14
Materials ...................................................................7-14
Seam Restitching ......................................................7-15
Procedure ..............................................................7-15
Inspection ..............................................................7-15
Canopy Ripstop Tape Repair ...................................7-16
Procedure ..............................................................7-16
Inspection ..............................................................7-17
Round and Square Canopy—Basic Patch Repair.....7-17
Procedure ..............................................................7-18
Round Canopy—Panel Replacement .......................7-21
Procedure ..............................................................7-21
Inspection ..............................................................7-22
Square Canopy—Partial Panel Replacement ...........7-22
Procedure ..............................................................7-22
Inspection ..............................................................7-25
Square Canopy—Rib Repair ....................................7-25
Procedure ..............................................................7-25
Inspection ..............................................................7-28
Square Canopy—Pilot Chute Attachment Point
Repair .......................................................................7-28
Procedure ..............................................................7-28
Inspection ..............................................................7-30
Round Canopy—Non-continuous Line
Replacement .............................................................7-30
Procedure ..............................................................7-30
Inspection ..............................................................7-31
Square Canopy—Main Line Replacement ...............7-31
Procedure ..............................................................7-31
Inspection ..............................................................7-32
Square Canopy—Control Line Replacement ...........7-33
Procedure ..............................................................7-33
Continuous Line Method ..........................................7-34
Non-continuous Line Method ..................................7-34
Inspection ..............................................................7-35
Square Canopy—Crossport Repair ..........................7-36
Procedure ..............................................................7-36
Inspection ..............................................................7-36
Square Canopy—Trim Check and Re-trim ..............7-37
Procedure ..............................................................7-37
Inspection ..............................................................7-38
Section 2, Container .....................................................7-38
Container Fabric Panel Repair .................................7-38
Procedure ..............................................................7-39
Binding Tape Repair or Splice .............................7-39
Hidden Patches .....................................................7-40
Overlay Patches ....................................................7-40
Single-Side Fabric Patches ...................................7-41
Inspection ..............................................................7-42
Container Grommet Replacement ............................7-42
Procedure ..............................................................7-42
Material Repair and Grommet Replacement ............7-43
Inspection ..............................................................7-43
Container Velcro® Replacement ..............................7-43
Procedure ..............................................................7-43
Inspection ..............................................................7-44
Container Plastic Stiffener Replacement ..................7-44
Procedure ..............................................................7-44
Main Container Side Flap Replacement ...................7-46
Procedure ..............................................................7-46
Inspection ..............................................................7-48
Bottom of Container (BOC) Pocket Replacement ...7-48
Procedure ..............................................................7-48
Inspection ..............................................................7-49
Ring Release Housing Replacement ........................7-49
Procedure ..............................................................7-49
Inspection ..............................................................7-50
Change 1 (December 2015)
Section 3, Harness and Risers ......................................7-51
Chest Strap Replacement..........................................7-51
Procedure ..............................................................7-51
Inspection ..............................................................7-54
Lower Leg Strap Shortening ....................................7-54
Procedure ..............................................................7-54
Inspection ..............................................................7-55
Ripcord Pocket Velcro® Replacement .....................7-55
Procedure ..............................................................7-55
Inspection ..............................................................7-56
Articulated Upper Leg Hardware Replacement .......7-56
Procedure ..............................................................7-56
Inspection ..............................................................7-56
Standard Harness Main Lift Web Replacement .......7-57
Background ...........................................................7-58
Procedure ..............................................................7-59
Inspection ..............................................................7-62
Main Riser 3-Ring Locking Loop Replacement ......7-62
Procedure ..............................................................7-63
Main Riser Steering Toggle Velcro® Replacement..7-64
Procedure ..............................................................7-64
Inspection ..............................................................7-65
Section 4, Accessory Components ...............................7-65
Reserve Pilot Chute Repair—Mesh, Tackings,
and Bad Grommet ....................................................7-65
Procedure ..............................................................7-65
Inspection ..............................................................7-66
Inspection ..............................................................7-67
Reserve Free Bag Repair—Grommet Pullout ..........7-67
Procedure ..............................................................7-67
Inspection ..............................................................7-68
Main Pilot Chute Repair—Top Canopy
Reinforcing ...............................................................7-68
Procedure ..............................................................7-68
Inspection ..............................................................7-69
Main Pilot Chute Collapsible Bridle Replacement ..7-69
Procedure ..............................................................7-69
Inspection ..............................................................7-71
Main Deployment Bag Repair—Closing Flap
Grommet Pullout ......................................................7-72
Procedure ..............................................................7-72
Inspection ..............................................................7-73
Section 5, Alterations ...................................................7-73
Articulated Harness Main Lift Web (MLW)
Resizing ....................................................................7-73
Procedure ..............................................................7-74
Leg Pad Resizing ......................................................7-74
Procedure ..............................................................7-75
Inspection ..............................................................7-77
Automatic Activation Device (AAD) Installation....7-77
Procedure ..............................................................7-77
Built-In Channel Modification Configuration ......7-78
Adhesive Channel Installation ..............................7-78
Cutter Channel and Elastic Installation ................7-79
Inspection ..............................................................7-80
Section 6, Manufacturing .............................................7-80
Main and Reserve Closing Loop Manufacture.........7-80
Procedure ..............................................................7-80
Inspection ..............................................................7-82
Main Deployment Bag .............................................7-82
Procedure ..............................................................7-83
Inspection ..............................................................7-84
Bottom of Container (BOC) Pocket .........................7-85
Procedure ..............................................................7-85
Inspection ..............................................................7-86
Section 7, Manufacturing .............................................7-86
Hand Tacking Techniques ........................................7-86
Procedure ..............................................................7-87
Cleaning and Washing Procedures ...........................7-89
Background ...........................................................7-89
Colorfastness ............................................................7-89
Procedure ..............................................................7-89
Chapter Summary ........................................................7-90
Appendix A ..........................................................A-1
Glossary ..............................................................G-1
Index ......................................................................I-1
Introduction to
Parachute Rigging
Chapter 1
Regulations and Human Factors
A parachute rigger has a critical responsibility to anyone
who uses a parachute. For many, a special meaning can be
attributed to ensuring the safety of a piece of equipment that
may save their life or that of a friend. For others, attention to
detail may keep a stranger safe during recreational activities,
such as skydiving or aerobatic flying. This chapter explains
what parachute riggers do and what is required to earn a
Parachute Rigger Certificate. In addition, this chapter covers
relevant human factor issues and ethical standards.
Figure 1-1. Airman's Certificate—Master Parachute Rigger.
The term “rigger” originated in the 16th Century and referred
to a person who organized, repaired, and maintained sails and
lines aboard sailing ships. The rigger was not a high-ranking
individual aboard the ship, but he was an essential technician
that could not be done without. Likewise, parachute riggers,
as indispensible as they are, must operate within strict
boundaries set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA). When parachutes were developed in the early 20 th
Century, those who sewed the canopies and lines became
known as “riggers.” In those first decades, anyone with some
knowledge of sewing and materials could make or repair
parachutes. As the aviation industry grew and matured,
the need for trained individuals to pack and maintain the
parachutes grew as well. In order to protect the pilots and
public who flew in airplanes and relied on parachutes, the
government began to license these individuals. Rigging, in
reference to parachutes, came to mean: the final adjustment
and alignment of the various component sections to provide
the proper aerodynamic reaction.
Parachute Rigger Certificates
Parachutes intended for emergency use in civil aircraft in
the United States, including the reserve parachute of a dual
parachute system to be used for intentional jumping, must
be packed, maintained, or altered by a person who holds an
appropriate and current Parachute Rigger Certificate. The
certificate is issued under Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR), part 65, subpart F. These regulations
do not apply to an individual who packs the main parachute
of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping.
These regulations also do not apply to parachutes packed,
maintained, or altered for use by the Armed Forces.
Any person who holds a Parachute Rigger Certificate must
present it for inspection if requested by the Administrator or
an authorized representative of the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) or any federal, state, or local law
enforcement officer. A sample certificate is shown in
Figure 1-1.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for a Parachute Rigger Certificate issued by the
FAA, individuals must be at least 18 years of age; be able to
read, write, speak, and understand the English language; and
comply with other requirements of 14 CFR, part 65, subpart
F, which governs the certification of parachute riggers.
There are two levels of Parachute Rigger Certificate available
in the United States: senior and master. The Senior Parachute
Rigger candidate must pack a minimum of 20 parachutes of
one type and be able to demonstrate the ability to maintain
and make minor repairs. The Master Parachute Rigger
candidate must have 3 years of experience as a parachute
rigger and have packed at least 100 parachutes of two types
in common use (for a total of 200 pack jobs). There are
four type ratings that may be placed on a Parachute Rigger
Certificate: back, chest, seat, and lap. Of these, the first three
are used today. The lap rating applies to parachutes that are
basically obsolete. A Senior Parachute Rigger is considered
a journeyman technician, and the Master Parachute Rigger
is considered an expert.
The two types of certificates differ in the level of experience
and responsibility. A Senior Parachute Rigger may pack, as
well as maintain, a parachute by making minor repairs. A
Master Parachute Rigger has all the privileges of the lesser
certificate plus the ability to make major repairs and alter
parachutes according to approved data. A major repair is
one that, if improperly done, can appreciably affect the
airworthiness of the parachute. An example of a major repair
might be replacing a damaged canopy panel or altering a
harness by changing the size of a main lift web. A minor
repair is anything other than a major repair, such as a small
patch on a canopy or the replacement of a defective or worn
connector link.
Earning a Parachute Rigger Certificate
When an applicant meets the requirements and demonstrates
sufficient knowledge and skills as outlined in 14 CFR part 65,
subpart F, the supervising parachute rigger (either a senior or
To Whom It May Concern:
This is to certify that David D. Wolf has packed in
excess of 20 back-type parachutes under my supervision
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and
all applicable FAA directives. In addition, he has
demonstrated a sound knowledge of the parachute, its
construction, packing, maintenance, and use, as well as
subparts A & F of 14 CFR part 65.
Sincerely Yours,
Joe Smith
Master parachute rigger #123456789
Figure 1-2. Certification letter signing off a parachute rigger
candidate for FAA testing.
Master Parachute Rigger) “signs off” on the trainee’s logbook
and provides a letter to the FAA that allows the applicant to
take the necessary tests. [Figure 1-2]
Once the rigging candidate has successfully achieved a
rigger's certificate, they can now begin to learn through
experience. Rigging is best learned through apprenticeship;
however, it takes a lot of time to become intimately familiar
with materials, learn how to identify stains, and experience
packing the myriad of sport parachute systems.
Testing
The applicant should take a letter similar to the one depicted
in Figure 1-2 , the applicant’s logbook, and any other
necessary identification to the nearest FAA Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO) or International Field Office (IFO).
An FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) (airworthiness)
examines these documents for completeness and eligibility.
The applicant is asked to fill out FAA Form 8610-2, Airman
Certificate and/or Rating Application. When the inspector has
determined that the applicant is eligible to take the test, he
or she signs the FAA Form 8610-2. [Figure 1-3] Once this
is done, the applicant may then go to any of the designated
FAA airman knowledge testing centers to take the airman
knowledge written test.
The knowledge test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions
that are not designed to be tricky or misleading. They cover
all basic rigging and packing subject areas in addition to 14
CFR part 65 regulations. A minimum score of 70 percent is
required to pass the test. The test is scored immediately on
conclusion of the test and a Certified Airman Knowledge
Test report is issued to the applicant. [Figure 1-4] After
passing the test, the candidate may then make an appointment
for taking the oral and practical portion of the test with a
Designated Parachute Rigger Examiner (DPRE).
Under 14 CFR, part 183, DPREs are Master Parachute
Riggers who have attended an FAA course and are authorized
to conduct oral and practical tests for the Administrator. In
many cases, these individuals are full-time professionals
who work in the parachute industry. Upon the successful
completion of the oral and practical tests, in most cases, the
DPRE issues a Temporary Parachute Rigger Certificate and
a seal symbol to the candidate. [Figure 1-5] In some FSDO
jurisdictions, the district office may issue the temporary
certificate and/or seal symbol. The seal symbol consists
of three letters or numbers or a combination of both.
[Figure 1-6] The seal symbol is very important; it serves as
the identifying mark for that individual parachute rigger and
is used to seal any parachute that he or she packs.
Alternate Means of Qualifying for a Parachute Rigger
Certificate
Active duty military personnel and civilian personnel who
work for the military as parachute riggers may qualify for a
Senior Parachute Rigger Certificate under the provisions of
14 CFR part 65, section 65.117, Special Certification Rule.
If they meet the practical requirements, they need only take
a special 25-question test.
A Senior Parachute Rigger applying for a Master Parachute
Rigger Certificate only needs to take the oral and practical
test. A person with 3 years experience as a parachute rigger,
but not holding a Senior Parachute Rigger Certificate, must
take both the knowledge test and the oral and practical test.
Any parachute rigger, senior or master, who wishes to add
additional ratings to his or her certificate needs to take only
a practical test for the type rating sought. No additional
knowledge test is necessary.
Retesting
If the applicant fails the knowledge test, he or she may retake
the test under the following conditions: An applicant may
apply for retesting by presenting the failed test report:
• 30 days after the date the applicant failed the test; or
• before 30 days have expired if the applicant presents a
signed statement from an airman holding the certificate
and rating sought by the applicant certifying that the
airman has given the applicant additional instruction
in each of the subjects failed and that the airman
considers the applicant ready for retesting.
Figure 1-3. FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application.