Rigger course info needed

[TOT 0]

I am interested in taking a rigger course this winter and have a few questions.

I am in Canada and was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are to taking it in Canada or the US.

If I take it in the US can I then pack rigs for Canadian jumpers? and also If I take it in Canada am I allowed to pack reserves in the US if I find myself moving there?

I am also looking for a location to take the course sometime in February or March.

Thanks

TOT

tot@skydivemoncton.com

[f1shlips 2]

Dave DeWolf puts on a great course for FAA Senior Riggers. If that's something you are interested in I recommend:

1.) You come to the course fully prepared to take your written. You won't feel much like studying when you get home from class.

2.) Have 5 or so reserve pack jobs under the supervision of your local rigger. That'll give you a better heads up on the general process before you get there and you won't be busting your back to get 20 done in time.

I think the best part of Dave's course is all the stuff he has and all the riggers that are there assisting him. I think Clint Vincent deserves special mention, his sewing knowledge is really impressive.

--
drop zone (drop'zone) n. An incestuous sesspool of broken people. -- Attributed to a whuffo girlfriend.

[TOT 0]

Thank you very much.

Does anyone out there have any answers about the differences between a canadian or us rigger course?

tot

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

Thank you very much.

Does anyone out there have any answers about the differences between a canadian or us rigger course?

tot

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Are you comparing Canadian Rigger A with FAA Senior Rigger?
... both entry level ratings ....

Two major differences: first, Canadian Rigger As do not use sewing machines.
FAA Senior Riggers have to sew a simple patch on a canopy to pass their practical test.

Secondly, CSPA defines parachute types differently: 1-pin sport container, 2-pin sport container, Pop-Top, chest and pilot emergency parachutes. CSPA also defines two different types of reserve canopies: round and square. To earn a CSPA Rigger A rating, you only have to prove that you can pack one type of reserve (i.e. square) into one type of container (i.e. 1-pin sport). Canadian riggers must retest if they want approval to pack additional types of reserves, and only get approval to repack PEP after they have proven that they can pack all other types.

On the other hand, the FAA defines back, seat, chest and lap type parachutes, with no mention of round or square canopies. Every American rigger will tell you that the (USA) Federal Air Regulations are way out of date (i.e. no "lap" type parachutes have been built since the 1930s). Once the FAA issues a "back" type rigger rating, the user is approved to repack all of the hundreds of sizes and colors and shapes of "back"type containers that enter his loft.
Hah!
Hah!

Since CSPA focuses rigger training on modern sport gear (i.e. made in the last 20 years) there is half as much material to cover, and a typical CSPA Rigger A Course lasts 5 days. Some Canadian Rigger Instructors prefer to spread the course out over 3 weekends.
CSPA also has a formal program for certifying Rigger Instructors (assist in teaching a minimum of 2 courses, prepare a stack of lesson plans, etc), while any FAA -ceritifed rigger can write a letter of recommendation for his buddy to take the tests.

Meanwhile American rigger courses (i.e. Dave DeWolf's) try to cram twice as much information into 9 days.

Two years later, most Canadian and American riggers are working at the same level, as half the American riggers never touch a sewing machine after earning their rating and laugh at the bewildering array of faded, frayed and filthy military-surplus PEP dragged into their lofts. A lot of FAA riggers also refuse to repack round parachutes.

In the long run, Canadian and American riggers work at the same level, but the Canadian course is half as long.

By the way, there is still one seat available at the CSPA Rigger A Course in Dunnville, Ontario 8-12 November, 2004.

Rob Warner
FAA Master Rigger
CSPA Rigger A
CSPA Rigger Instructor-in-training

[riggerrob 643]

The next Canadian riggers' course is next week, in Dunnville, Ontario.

It is rumored that the next Canadian course will be in February or March, in Pitt Meadows, B.C., but that requires 6 or more candidates to start practice pack jobs and tell the CSPA Technical Committee that they want a course.

CSPA Basic Safety Rules (PIM 1, 2.2) state that "no jumper will jump unless wearing a reserve parachute which has been inspected and repacked within the previous 180 days by, or supervised by a CSPA or FAA rated rigger."

On the other hand, Americans are too arrogant to respect any rigger rating issued outside the USA. The best the FAA will do is allow you to use you Canadian rigger rating as a pre-level to test of an FAA rigger rating. This allowed me to take FAA tests without a letter of recommendation.

On a practical level, a Canadian Rigger A would need to get signed off to repack both round and square reserves as well as all the container types (1-pin sport, 2-pin sport, Pop-Top, chest and PEP) as well as learn how to sew simple canopy patches.

[TOT 0]

I am interested in attending the one in Feb or March, I know I was talking to you privatly a couple of weeks ago about it. I am the one with the broken back.

Also another hurdle is that I am in Moncton, NB and our season is winding down here and will have no opportunity to have a rigger witness me for any pack jobs as everyone is putting their rigs away. There is no rigger localy we send our gear to Frederiction, NB or Waterville, NS to get repacked.

Any ideas?

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

I am interested in attending the one in Feb or March, I know I was talking to you privately a couple of weeks ago about it. I am the one with the broken back.

Any ideas?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It depends upon how quickly your back heals.
One option would be to spend a week at a busy loft before the course. You could easily repack ten (10) reserves in a week.
Is there any way to coordinate your travels with the CSPA AGM which will also be held in Pitt Meadows in March 2005?

[TOT 0]

Quote

One option would be to spend a week at a busy loft before the course. You could easily repack ten (10) reserves in a week.

I would have to travel to Ontario or further to do this and I only have a limited amount of $ and vacation time.

I geuss I can forget the course then.

[TOT 0]

Maybe there would be a busy loft in the BC area that I could goto the week before the course????