Parachute Riggers Reference Library?

[Harmless 0]

So I'm pretty much done with the self study, have been working with a couple riggers, and have done a couple pack jobs.

I have been building my toolbox slowly, but I keep eying the DVD collection of manuals on Para Gear.
http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=29&level=1

So my question is, is it worth it? How complete is it? How up to date is it?

Thanks.


ETA: Also currently I'm using a fishing tackle box to store tools and spare parts, but it is just a little too small (i.e. knee plate). Any suggestions on something else to use. (I can't justify spending $200 on the bag that paragear sells)

"Damn you Gravity, you win again"

[piisfish 140]

Quote

(I can't justify spending $200 on the bag that paragear sells)

sew it yourself

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[pchapman 279]

Just my opinion:

- Find a toolbox. Many different sizes available. You have to decide whether to get a small portable one for "just the essentials", or some huge one "for everything". Some have a fair number of little compartments too, although not like a fishing tackle box.

-- Rigging manuals?
Bookmark various manufacturers' sites, plus

parachutemanuals.com,

the UK Skydiver manuals collection
http://www.ukskydiver.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=209,

and the Aussie federation rigging site for their bulletin list
http://docs.apf.asn.au/index.php/Rigging_and_Equipment

Those are my top picks.

[fendor1369 0]

The rigger bags are nice I bought the bag itself, not the built up one. Then I collected the tools that I need for it, little by little. It keeps every thing very organized.

John - D.S 1313

"I'll jump it, Np. It's all good"

[Arvoitus 1]

That DVD (Parachute Rigger's Reference Library v2.0) has a total of 419 pdf files. Here is a complete directory listing to give you an idea what it contains:

O:\DVD
O:\DVD\AADs
O:\DVD\AADs\Airtec
O:\DVD\AADs\Argus
O:\DVD\AADs\FXC
O:\DVD\AADs\SSE
O:\DVD\AADs\Vigil
O:\DVD\Cest Mount
O:\DVD\FAA Regs
O:\DVD\Harness Containers
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Advance Air
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Adventure Loft
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Aerodyne
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Aerotech
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Alpha Para-Equip
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Altico
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Altitude Shop
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Annex, The
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Australia
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Cazer
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Centaurus Corp
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Chute Shop
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Eagle Parachute
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Eagle Systems
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Fliteline
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Flying High
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Free Flight Enterprises
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\GQ Security
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Green Star Systems
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Guardian
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Jump Shack
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Midwest
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Mirage Sys
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\National Parachutes
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\North American
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Northern Lite
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\PISA
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Para- Innovators
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Para-Flite
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Para-Phernalia
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Parachgutes Inc
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Parachutes de France
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Paratec
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Performance Variable
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Pioneer
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\R&J
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Relative Workshop
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Reltny
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Riggers Workshop
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Rigging Innivations
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Rodriguez
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Sky Supplies
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Stewart Systems
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Strong Ent
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Stunts
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Sun Path
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Sunrise Rigging
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Thomas Sports Equip
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Velocity
O:\DVD\Harness Containers\Westway
O:\DVD\Line Trim Charts
O:\DVD\Line Trim Charts\Aerodyne
O:\DVD\Line Trim Charts\Flight Concepts
O:\DVD\Line Trim Charts\Glide Path
O:\DVD\Line Trim Charts\Precision
O:\DVD\Main Parachutes
O:\DVD\Main Parachutes\Aerodyne
O:\DVD\Main Parachutes\Flight Concepts
O:\DVD\Main Parachutes\PD
O:\DVD\Main Parachutes\Precision
O:\DVD\Military
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Airotech
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Butler
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\GQ Security
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\IrvinGQ
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\National
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Para-Innov
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Para-Phernalia
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Parachutes Australia
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Parachutes De France
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Pioneer
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Rigging Innovations
O:\DVD\Pilot Rigs\Strong Ent
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\APS
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Adv Air Sports
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Aerodyne
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Chute Shop
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Djano
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\FFE
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\FTS
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Flight Concepts
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\GQ
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Gargano
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Glide Path
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Midwest
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\N American
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\N Parachute Supply
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\National
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\PISA
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Para-Flite
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Para_Australia
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Paraloft
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Performance Variable
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Pioneer
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Precision
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\Strong Ent
O:\DVD\Reserve Parachutes\eagle
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Aerodyne
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Alt Shop
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Altico
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Capewell
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\FAA
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Fliteline
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Flying High
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\GQ Security
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Green Star
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Icarus
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Jump Shack
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Mirage Sys
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\NPII
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\PIA
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\PISA
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Para Aust
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Para Fr
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Para-Flite
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Para-Pher
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Parachute Shop
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Performance Variable
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Precision
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\RWS
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Rigging Innov
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Strong
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Sun Path
O:\DVD\Service Bulletines\Thomas

Your rights end where my feelings begin.

[riggerrob 643]

Most of the modern (eg. currently in production) manuals are available on-line at www.pia.com ... yellow pages ... and wander through manufacturers' websites.

As to whether you need manuals for every antique???????
Hint: GQ Security closed their American factory 25 years ago and the parent company says to not pack any of their gear more than 15 years old.
You do the math.

[riggerrob 643]

" ... I have been building my toolbox slowly, but I keep eying the DVD collection of manuals on Para Gear.
http://www.paragear.com/templates/parachutes.asp?group=29&level=1

So my question is, is it worth it? How complete is it? How up to date is it?

Thanks."

.......................................................................................

There are two schools of thought on toolboxes: everything or just the essentials.

An "everything" box would include 47 types of spare parts, a separator for L-Bar links, packing hooks for military-surplus containers, a hernia belt, etc.

"just the essentials" tool boxes are at the opposite end of the scale and work more like shadow boards. The shadow board should be complete at the start of every pack job and complete at the end of every pack job.
A simple alternative to shadow boards are tool rolls with one tool per slot/pocket ... every slot should be full at the start of a pack job and every slot should be full at the end of every pack job.

I have hundreds of tools hung around my loft, but since the long table for packing round parachutes is in a separate hangar, I carry a separate tool roll when I go pack round canopies into pilot emergency parachutes.
That tool roll includes: 5 packing weights, 3 Cypres pins, three pull-up cords, 2 large clamps, 2 steel T-bodkins, a line separator, knee board, packing paddle, chest hook, open-end wrench and a common screw-driver.

[NovaTTT 2]

I use the Stanley Tool Organizer. A few minor modifications and it's working great for keeping all the essential tools, plus plenty of room for items I like to keep with me, such as spare closing loops, ripstop tape, swiss links, flashlight....

"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

[ripcord4 0]

ETA: Also currently I'm using a fishing tackle box to store tools and spare parts, but it is just a little too small (i.e. knee plate). Any suggestions on something else to use. (I can't justify spending $200 on the bag that paragear sells)