getting a rig assembled

[Newbie 0]

hi i need to get my new rig assembled from scratch. Can any one tell me roughly how long this can take as i have no idea at all. Also i would be quite interested to watch the whole process, especially the packing of the reserve. Can anyone see any reason why this might not be possible? (the only thing i could think of is the whole process could take a while and the rigger might not appreciate someone standing over them watching their every move)

Thanks

PS does the assembly also include a gear inspection. This is all brand new kit, but it would be nice to know that the rigger will run his/her eyes over my stuff before i use it.

"Skydiving is a door"
Happythoughts

[billvon 3,096]

>hi i need to get my new rig assembled from scratch. Can any one tell
> me roughly how long this can take as i have no idea at all.

Would take me about two hours.

>Also i would be quite interested to watch the whole process,
> especially the packing of the reserve. Can anyone see any reason
> why this might not be possible?

No, and I think it's a very good idea to do it. Any rigger who refuses to let you watch for no good reason (i.e. "I work in a military loft and you're not allowed on base" is a good reason) I would be a little suspicious of.

As another idea, why not try assembling it yourself? There may be procedures you cannot complete without tools (i.e. you may need a T-handle to seat and begin closing the reserve) but at least you will become familiar with all the pieces and the functions of the various parts of the rig. Between the manual that came with your rig and the reserve packing manual, you'll actually get a pretty good idea of what to do and what goes where.

Of course, a rigger will have to reassemble your system before it's airworthy.

>PS does the assembly also include a gear inspection.

Yes. If he puts his seal on it he is certifying as airworthy, and that includes inspecting it. The first assembly of a rig is probably the most important time to inspect it. Riggers have caught:

-Missing bartacks in reserve line cascades
-Missing crossports in reserves
-Cracked connector links
-Leaky cypres batteries, even in a new unit

Unfortunately, some of these were caught at later repacks, not the first one.

[councilman24 37]

I can only give you the US perspective. Full assembly and inspection usually between two hours and three hours. The first pack job can take one and a half to four hours. These times can vary and not indicate a problem depending on the experience and diligence of the rigger.I usually split this into two evenings (I'm a part time rigger). I don't have any problem with anyone watching any part of this. Any rigger who doesn't want you to watch for some other reason than convenience you should steer away from. Some riggers charge more because they are having to do it at the convenience of the customer. Your rigger SHOULD be completely inspecting the gear even though it is new. He/she is the last quality control inspector. Major problems have been found in new gear (i.e. unstitched seams!)

I often tell my customers that they are welcome to watch (and they are) but that they will get better service if they aren't watching. This is because I'm not distracted by their presenence and questions. One former girl friend promptly replied, "Then I'll just watch someone elses!"


Have fun. Also ask an instructor about how to check out the flight characteristics of the main. You are the first and only test jumper for the main canopy.

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

[howardwhite 6]

Does anyone recommend jumping a new reserve as a main? (Once)

The point is to see whether it has problems such as built-in turns, and also to get a feel for how it lands. I did it with one reserve a buncha years ago, but not since.

HW

[PhreeZone 20]

Not many new mains have bridle attachment points to attach a PC at. It would have to be basically freebaged out of the main container.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

Not many new mains have bridle attachment points to attach a PC at. It would have to be basically freebaged out of the main container.

Uh huh, and Chris from Precision showed us how to do it and not lose the bag a few months ago. I'm thinking of doing it with a PD-113R

--
Hook high, flare on time

[PhreeZone 20]

Why? Just call up PD and get a reserve on risers and a bag sent to you if you are just looking to jump that small of a reserve.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Spy38W 0]

Hrm, yeah, guess that would be easier

--
Hook high, flare on time

[howardwhite 6]

"Just call up PD and get a reserve on risers and a bag sent to you "

Yeah, but I wasn't talking about a reserve, I was talking about my reserve.

HW

[PhreeZone 20]

Right, and like I said, you would be best to freebag it since there are no attachment points like the Raven's had. If you are planning on jumping the reserve as a main you had better read the owners manual to see if doing that voids the canopy. I'm only aware of the Raven's having a clause in them that says they can be specifically jumped one time as a main and thats it.

The rigger that has to pack it as a reserve has to sign off for its airworthyness and some might not/should not if you have done things the owners manual (the thing they have to follow unless you can produce a waiver) says can not be done.

Granted you should be able to jump a Raven as a main 50 times, have it pass the airworthyness tests and repack it as a reserve with no issues, but accourding to my local DPRE thats illegal and subject to having the riggers ticket pulled...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[billvon 3,096]

>I'm only aware of the Raven's having a clause in them that says they
> can be specifically jumped one time as a main and thats it.

George Galloway has stated that it is up to the rigger to determine a Raven's airworthiness, as you mention below. His quote:

"There in no magic number of jumps which would subjectively disqualify a canopy for use as a reserve, on the basis of 'number of jumps' only."

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=galloway+%22fuel+tanks%22+group:rec.skydiving&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=336C2782.6435%40precision.net&rnum=1

>but accourding to my local DPRE thats illegal and subject to having
> the riggers ticket pulled...

Ask 5 DPRE's five questions about rig modification, repack legality, requirements for AAD functionality etc and you'll get five different answers.

[Chief 0]

Follow up to Billvon's statement: I watched my entire rig be assembled. I learned more about my rigs and rigging during that time then I did in a year. The rigger was very informative and really made me feel good about my stuff and how,what to look for in the future. It was a great learning experieince and it took about 2 hours. Have fun!