riggerrob 643 #1 May 26, 2003 How much did it cost to earn your FAA Senior Rigger Rating? Did your generous local rigger train you for free? Did you owe him a fe pack jobs after you earned your rating? Did you owe him sexual favors? Did you attend Dave DeWolf's course? Did you sell your soul to the United States Army? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkpbxman 0 #2 May 26, 2003 Dave DeWolf. The dirtiest old man in the universe.Think the course was about $700. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NightJumper 0 #3 May 26, 2003 When I wanted to become a rigger I asked around about all of the options, called the known schools and manufactures. Out of all of the manufactures in Florida only Jump Shack offered rigger training, and the best part is it was FREE. I spent three months learning not only rigging, but also manufacturing and testing. It was pretty impressive to watch a 300 pound test load go out of a plane at 200kts., 300' off of the ground and have a 97 square foot canopy open and take the load to the ground intact. I had access to multiple riggers and staff and the people could not have been nicer or more helpful. I learned all of the factory "tricks & tools" that make packing easy. After getting my riggers rating I have managed to get in at some of the other manufactures to learn each of their "tricks & tools" and developed contacts with each of the companies. It wasn't the fastest way to learn but in the end I think it made me a better rigger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #4 May 26, 2003 QuoteHow much did it cost to earn your FAA Senior Rigger Rating? My local rigger supervised me as I did pack jobs, and that was free. He was SUPER helpful. After I had about a dozen pack jobs I took the DeWolf course and thought it was outstanding. Costs included course fee, rigging tools, both copies of the Poynter manual, the computer study guide for the written test, test fees, travel to the course, hotel acccommodations, and a few late night drinks for the staff of the course. I think that was it. Total cost was probably about 1,500 dollars and well worth it. Tom Buchanan Author, JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and EasyTom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #5 May 27, 2003 We (Action Air Parachutes) runs group course a few time's a year for $900 plus materials for the one week course. We also run One-on-One courses set up through out the year. "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #6 May 28, 2003 Quote When I wanted to become a rigger I asked around about all of the options, called the known schools and manufactures. Out of all of the manufactures in Florida only Jump Shack offered rigger training, and the best part is it was FREE. I spent three months learning not only rigging, but also manufacturing and testing. It was pretty impressive to watch a 300 pound test load go out of a plane at 200kts., 300' off of the ground and have a 97 square foot canopy open and take the load to the ground intact. I had access to multiple riggers and staff and the people could not have been nicer or more helpful. I learned all of the factory "tricks & tools" that make packing easy. After getting my riggers rating I have managed to get in at some of the other manufactures to learn each of their "tricks & tools" and developed contacts with each of the companies. It wasn't the fastest way to learn but in the end I think it made me a better rigger. You got more exposure to parachute equipment and rigging in 3 months then most will get in 10 years. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alan 1 #7 May 28, 2003 Had a lot of free instruction and supervision. Bought and made many of the tools. Sewing machine was a big ticket item. DZ got quite a few free "packed under supervision" pack jobs. Now, I'll do them for $15 if they need help. Easily spent over $1000 along with the barter and free help.alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #8 May 28, 2003 I trained under a master rigger (Jack Nash) in the 70's who was an old smoke jumper. In fact he was supposed to be the oldes smoke jumper who ever finished smoke jumper training. Fred Sands (from Lost Prairie) was one of my classmates. I think we all paid about $60. each and this included everything you need to prepare for the written test. We didn't have to take a practical test, we just had to show Jack we could do things the right way and pack 20 reserves under his supervision. As far as preparing to take the written test, Jack let us look through his book, which was about six inches thick, and that was about it. There was a little classroom teaching that went on. Most of our training consisted of monkey see monkey do, after Jack showed us the smokejumper way of doing things. As a result many of us couldn't pass the written test. I think the minimum score was 70. Somehow I got a 72 the first time. I guess this was how things were done in the old days. I came out of this training with a senior riggers license, able to pack chest pack reserves, but I also felt very lacking in my abilities......I mean I could pack a good reserve, but knew little else.....Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
