reserve pack job question?

[councilman24 37]

MEL,

Didn't have time to call tonight but:

As you pointed out it says after packing it the rigger shall seal it. It doesn't say that he can't seal it any other time. Or that he has to pack it to seal it. It may be inferred, it may be tradition, it may be what we were all taught but it doesn't say that.

Now one might reasonably infer that if you seal it you take responsibility for it.

But IIRC three ring rings that had to be pull tested were supposed to be sealed with wire. I may be making that up but something was suppose to be sealed.

And I can't think of it but I'm sure there was another service bulletin type issue that was supposed to have a seal put on it. Too late to look for it now.

The letter of the regs is not specific. It doesn't even say it has to have a seal on it to be a legal, in date rig. It says the rigger had to seal it. It doesn't say someone can't take it off. I'm not saying that that's okay or a good thing to do or a DZO would let you jump or that the rig would be considered legal by a Fed but the regs DO NOT SAY a rig has to be sealed to wear jump. Only packed by a rigger in the last 120 days.

And I don't think AC 105 adds anything, but I haven't looked.

Now, I'm not advocating any of this. But it makes an interesting debate. And gets MEL worked up.

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

[BrianM 1]

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CSPA recently stated that only the original rigger can open a reserve - to change Cypres batteries or tighten a loop.

Rob: Do you recall where that came out? I was trying to find the exact wording but can't find the info (in PIMs or Tech Bulletins).

Technical bulletin #59.

"It's amazing what you can learn while you're not talking." - Skydivesg

[mark 107]

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It doesn't even say it has to have a seal on it to be a legal, in date rig.

Further, no regulation calls out 4.75# seal thread. Since the pull test is done without a seal, one might plausibly infer that once the owner has possession, it would be okay to remove the seal for safety. The FAA trusts airplane owners not to screw with airplane components, so why not trust rig owners?

You're right -- it does get MEL stirred up!

Mark

[jheadley 0]

And wouldn't that seal thread add 4.75 pounds of pull force to the reserve ripcord? So if a pin had 20 pounds of pull force on a test, and then it was sealed, it would now be in violation of the 22 pound max force (?)

[riggerrob 643]

Barry McAuley (chair of CSPA's Technical Committee) mentioned the policy during a CSPA Rigger A Course circa 1999.

[masterrigger1 2]

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The letter of the regs is not specific. It doesn't even say it has to have a seal on it to be a legal, in date rig.

Sure it does!
It says that the rigger shall seal the parachute after packing.

Anyway, I think you are reading between lines that are not there.

Also, if you go to the Inspector's handbook you will find most of what you are questioning.

Here is a sample:
From 8300.10-Change 7-Chapter 17-Paragraph E.

E. Review Parachute Rigger Certificates and Seals
(1) Determine if the ratings are appropriate to the
parachutes packed. Ensure that alterations are only
performed by master parachute riggers on parachutes for
which they are rated.
(2) Ensure that the rigger meets the performance
standards and currency requirements of FAR § 65.129.
(3) Review the rigger’s log book to ensure that
records are being kept as required by FAR § 65.131.
(4) Determine if the rigger has the necessary tools
and facilities to accomplish the work.
(5) Ensure that the rigger is placing the seal on each
parachute.

This is just some of what the inspector looks for during a survellance or investigation.

The seal thread is spelled out in the TSO wording(As I recall ???).
I do know it is spelled out somewhere, just do not have the time to look for it.


That gives you guys something to do....

Cheers,
MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[BillSchram 0]

Ok off the original topic but what if someone elses seal falls off and you are 100% sure that the reserve hasn't been deployed.

[darkwing 5]

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Ok off the original topic but what if someone elses seal falls off and you are 100% sure that the reserve hasn't been deployed.

For me at least, it doesn't make any difference. I'd have to repack it.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[masterrigger1 2]

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Ok off the original topic but what if someone elses seal falls off and you are 100% sure that the reserve hasn't been deployed.

I think it is pretty simple...

you pack it - you seal it

If you didn't pack it - you can't seal it.

Cheers,
MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

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[riggerrob 643]

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Ok off the original topic but what if someone elses seal falls off and you are 100% sure that the reserve hasn't been deployed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I would just take it on faith - that the owner had not tampered with his gear - and allow him to continue jumping it until his repack expired (i.e. 120 days after the last rigger signed his card).

Come on, let's treat skydivers like adults.

[mark 107]

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I would just take it on faith - that the owner had not tampered with his gear - and allow him to continue jumping it until his repack expired (i.e. 120 days after the last rigger signed his card).

I agree.

Although the FAR requires riggers to seal the rigs they pack, the regulations do not specify what is to happen to the seal after a rig is in the owner's possession. We trust owners not to screw with their harnesses, so why wouldn't we trust them not to screw with their reserves?

Mark