becoming a master rigger

[irishrigger 32]

hi all,
i like to get my master riggers ticket,but i am unsure what i need to do and can use some advice.
i am a FAA senior rigger with back rating,i have done 2000 reserves of the back rating.i have also 120+ pack jobs of the chest rating,and 20+ of seat.
i am allowed to pack seat and chest under my irish rating.but i havent got them signed of by a FAA certified rigger as we dont have any here.all of the chest packs are done on militarty gear and i be able to get a letter to that effect.would that suffice or would i still have to pack another 100 under a rated rigger? what else is needed,do i need to do another written and oral exam? i presume i still have to do another pratical of course.
are there any rigger examiners in florida at the moment? i know it used to be don yahrling before he passed away,has someone replaced him yet?
any help and tips for this would be appreciated.
thanks
Rodger

[councilman24 37]

Here is a list of all of the DPRE's. Danny Page and Don are still on it.
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/b34649a533a0fc1c862571d800549e19/$FILE/AC183-32S.pdf

In order to take an practical and oral exam you need to have form 8610-2 filled out and signed by a FAA inspector. This is the form that documents your experience and authorizes a DPRE to give you the tests.

This is the part of the FAR's that applies to experience.


"Sec. 65.119 Master parachute rigger certificate: Experience, knowledge, and skill requirements


An applicant for a master parachute rigger certificate must meet the following requirements:

(a) Present evidence satisfactory to the Administrator that he has had at least 3 years of experience as a parachute rigger and has satisfactorily packed at least 100 parachutes of each of two types in common use, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions--


(1) While a certificated and appropriately rated senior parachute rigger; or

(2) While under the supervision of a certificated and appropriately rated parachute rigger or a person holding appropriate military ratings.An applicant may combine experience specified in paragraphs (a) (1) and (2) of this section to meet the requirements of this paragraph."

IF your military chest pack jobs meet the requirements in paragraph 2 then they should be good enough. If they were done under military supervision, not just on military equipment, I think they would work.

Since you hold a FAA Senior ticket I don't think you'll need to do the written again. But, you will be adding a rating, chest, to you FAA certificate and will need to do the practical and oral for that has well as the practical and oral for master. The oral and practical go together and are done simultaniously.


The Parachute Rigger Practical Test standard booklet is here.
http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/test_standards/media/FAA-S-8081-25.pdf

But from AC 65-5B, also available on faa.gov..

"rigger applicants are required to take a written test. They
are also required to take an oral and practical test after
passing the written test. Military parachute riggers,
former military parachute riggers, and civilian employees
of a regular armed force who meet the regulatory
requirements may take a special written test on the
regulations of FAR Part 65, Subpart F. Evidence to
establish their eligibility under this special certification
rule (FAR Section 65.117) may be submitted in the form
of letters, official records, or other documents, within 12
months after discharge.
Master parachute rigger applicants are required to take a
written test unless they hold a senior parachute rigger
certificate. They are also required to take an oral and
practical test, which may be taken after showing they
meet the other requirements."

It talks about 12 months after discharge. So your going to need to study these guidelines to see if your experience fits and talk to an FAA inspector familar with 8610-2.

masterrigger1 on here is a DPRE. He may be able to help. But it really comes down to if you can get an inspector to sign the form.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[riggerrob 643]

councilman made a bunch of good points.

You also might want to consider some form of finishing school.
There are two ways to do this. The first involves apprenticing under an FAA Master Rigger, and doing a bunch of major repairs (harness sewing, d-bag making and canopy patches involving seams, tapes, etc.) until he/she is willing to write yo a letter of recommendation.
The other finishing school is a place like the USAcademyy of Parachute Rigging, in Eloy, Arizona.

[irishrigger 32]

thanks cousilman and riggerrob for your help and info. i see if i can contact the DPRE and find out what he will except and take it from there.
thanks for the help,really appreciated.
rodger