Rigger's course

[prost 0]

OK what do you riggers think of the rigger's courses offered. Are they a good way to go or is it a lot better to train under a rigger. Also what is the pass rate of the rigger's exam after one of these courses. I just saw an ad for a rigger's course coming up in Chicago.
William

[riggerrob 643]

These 9 or 10 day short courses are the way that half the people earn rigger's ratings.
Sorry, but you will still have to do some packing and patching under the supervision of your local rigger. While it is theoretically possible to do 20 reserve pack jobs, sewing and a mountain of homework in 9 days, most of us are not that bright.
You would be far wiser to buy the books a few months ahead of time and start reading. Also try to bribe your local rigger into supervising a dozen or more reserve pack jobs. Winter is by far the best time to apprentice.
The minimum score on the FAA written exam is 70%. Whether you pass depends upon how well you studied. The oral and practical exams are tougher. Examiners will cut you a little slack if you are slow or a little sloppy, but one safety violation will end the test right then and there.
Rigging is hard work. Start studying now.

[markbaur 0]

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The minimum score on the FAA written exam is 70%.

Frightening, isn't it! The rigger who packed your reserve had to know what he was doing a little over two-thirds of the time.
Could be worse. If it took two riggers to pack your rig, the chances they'd both be right at the same time would be a little less than 50%.
Even worse: the three folks in the cockpit of that 727 at Quincy had to get 70% on their writtens, too. So the chance they might all three be correct at the same time could be as little as 35%.
Mark

[skybytch 273]

Like Rob said, the short courses are a good way to get your ticket but don't expect to come out of there and be able to go right to work at a "real" loft or a manufacturer.
Regardless of how you get your ticket, consider it a license to learn and never stop educating yourself; it'll take a lifetime to learn everything there is to know!
pull and flare,
lisa
--

[riggerrob 643]

Re: 70% passing mark on the written exam.
The FAA cares less about your score on the written exam and more about your reading skills. You cannot pass the written exam without a working knowledge of the English language. Hint, most packing manuals are written in English. A recurring phrase on the test is "in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions." Since gear is constantly changing, you will never know it all. In the long run, the only thing that will keep your customers alive is your curiousity. Now turn to page one in Poynter's manual and start exercising your curiousity.

[Food4Thought 0]

I've had my senior rigging ticket for appx. 4 yrs and done nearly 700 pack jobs (very busy since the time I earned my rating). I agree with Rob buy the books in advance, do some pre-course studying and packing under supervision, but still take the course. There are several good courses offered which all give much information that is hard to get from just a single rigger. I've never regretted spending the money or the time that I spent at the course. I've since went back to help instruct as well. The major advantage of the course is you build yourself a network of support. Good luck on getting the rating. Its a lot of work, but fun if you like detail.

[Aviatrr 0]

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Even worse: the three folks in the cockpit of that 727 at Quincy had to get 70% on their writtens, too. So the chance they might all three be correct at the same time could be as little as 35%.

I really hope you have more of a clue than it seems..
Mike

[MrHixxx 0]

I just completed a course and I received my rating. Though I didn't have time to prepare for the written until the course, I did about 8 supervised pack jobs and watched another half dozen before that from several different riggers. What I walked away with is a license to learn and a network of a dozen riggers including a master rigger to support that process. I also have full book of all the current ADs on gear.
As a senior rigger, you will have the right to inspect, repack and do minor repairs that do not affect the airworthiness of a rig. Skydivers will typically pay you thinking it is for the repack when about 80% of your work will be the inspection.
I highly recommend a course for the intensity of the study, but just as important is continuous learning from that point onward. Also, if you get an opportunity. Pack some rounds before the course too!!! The more you walk into the course with, the more you can build upon. Obtaining a rating is a beginning point in the learning process, not an ending.
Good Luck, MrHixxx

[mountainman 0]

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Frightening, isn't it! The rigger who packed your reserve had to know what he was doing a little over two-thirds of the time.
Could be worse. If it took two riggers to pack your rig, the chances they'd both be right at the same time would be a little less than 50%.
Even worse: the three folks in the cockpit of that 727 at Quincy had to get 70% on their writtens, too. So the chance they might all three be correct at the same time could be as little as 35%.

OMG, Mark!! I certainly hope you don't live your everyday life thinking like this. If so, God help you. I guess I tend to be quite positive in life so what you typed basically signifies to me that you go into things thinking the worst. Correct me if I'm wrong...PLEASE!!
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