Harksaw 0 #1 October 10, 2003 I've been studying for the rigger exam (Long way off) and was wondering, is there anything a master rigger can not do to a rig? Is it true that a master rigger can declare a Cypres that is older than 12 years acceptable to jump? Someone told me that anyone can make a main canopy, without any kind of certificaiton, you could theoretically make one out of your bedsheets but after it was done only a master rigger could repair it. What???__________________________________________________ I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammer 0 #2 October 10, 2003 You might try looking through some of the links in Hooknswoop's "So, you want to be a rigger?" post in this forum (I haven't figured out the linking thing yet). I think most of your questions will be answered there somewhere. I'm not a rigger and I don't know shit. -Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #3 October 10, 2003 QuoteI've been studying for the rigger exam (Long way off) Good luck! And make sure you are studying for the updated version of the test. Quoteand was wondering, is there anything a master rigger can not do to a rig? Technically, a Master rigger can make any alteration he wishes, with the FAA's approval. Similar to modifying an aircraft, there is an approval procedure for parachute equipment modifications, including submitting drawings, types of materials used, a complete description of the modification, and any data from drop tests. In reality, the gear just gets modified without any paperwork. TB-260 includes a question on page 7 of 9 regarding what a manufacturer's response would be if they find an unauthorized or unapproved alteration on equipment they have manufactured. QuoteIs it true that a master rigger can declare a Cypres that is older than 12 years acceptable to jump? No, only the manufacturer can change set a mandatory life span or change the life span of a piece of equipment. A rigger can declare a piece of equipment un-airworthy prior to reach it's life span though. QuoteSomeone told me that anyone can make a main canopy, without any kind of certificaiton, you could theoretically make one out of your bedsheets but after it was done only a master rigger could repair it. What??? Who can make a main canopy isn't really addressed in the FAR's. I think the FAA just assumed that mains would and are only built by established manufacturers. So, yes, anyone can build a main canopy. On the repair question, a Certificated Parachute Rigger, without respect to ratings, pack, maintain or alter the main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping, per 8300.10, CHP 28, dated 12/20/96. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #4 October 10, 2003 If the manufacturer specifies that a Master rigger cannot do something, then I think that is binding. Doesn't PD require certain levels of canopy damage (reserves) to be sent to the factory? I think I mostly agree with your "bedsheet" notion, except that a senior rigger could do "minor repairs." -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #5 October 10, 2003 QuoteI think I mostly agree with your "bedsheet" notion, except that a senior rigger could do "minor repairs." A Certificated Parachute Rigger, without respect to ratings, pack, maintain or alter the main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping, per 8300.10, CHP 28, dated 12/20/96. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #6 October 10, 2003 QuoteSomeone told me that anyone can make a main canopy, without any kind of certificaiton, you could theoretically make one out of your bedsheets ... That's true, but in order to jump it, you'd have to have two other canopies with you...unless you're planning on landing the bedsheet. The way the FAA gets around people being too much of an idiot when it comes to canopies, is that they insist (by law) that you may only leave the plane if you have: a) A certified Harness system b) A certified canopy that you do not plan on using accept in the case of an emergency. So, no matter what you're planning on landing, you have to have a back-up that is certified. Thus the reason for having three-canopy rigs, or using chest mounts for experimental canopies (either to hold the experimental canopy, or a "back-up" certified reserve). Doesn't matter if you know you can land your First Main or not, if you plan on cutting it away, you have to land with at least one certified canopy still packed...unless, of course, you have a legitimate emergency. "...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
riggerrob 643 #7 October 11, 2003 A key phrase in the FARs is "maintain in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions." This means that a Master Rigger may do any maintenance he wants as long as he does not exceed the manufacturer's instructions. For example, Performance Designs says that any canopy repair that requires replacing a bar-tack should be done at the factory. Ergo I have developed a couple of repair techniques - for holes near bar-tacks - that do not require replacing bar-tacks. In another example, it might be possible for a Master Rigger to convince the FAA that he can "re-certify" Cypri after 12 years, but the paperwork would far out-weigh the Cypres. Sometimes we see ego clashes between manufacturers and Master Riggers. In one case, Action Air submitted a large enough pile of paperwork to the FAA, that they got blanket approval to retro-fit RSLS to any container they wanted. In another case, a Master Rigger got into a long and bitter feud with Rigging Innovations over whether or not he could retro-fit RSLs to Talons. He got offended when R.I. refused to simply mail him approval. R.I. insisted that he spend a few days doing RSL retro-fits at the factory before they would approve him - like every other outsider they approved. He counter-attacked by slandering R.I. and in the long run most skydivers wrote him off as an idiot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #8 October 13, 2003 QuoteIn one case, Action Air submitted a large enough pile of paperwork to the FAA, that they got blanket approval to retro-fit RSLS to any container they wanted. Actually, Ray Ferrell submitted the retro-fit paperwork as an individual...as there are no longer "loft" ratings, only individual riggers can get the FAA's approval to do the work. Anyway, when Ray submitted his RSL retro-fit to the FAA it consisted of 6 pages. I don't know if that qualifies as a "pile" but... ...anyone can submit the same paperwork and get certified by the FAA to perform the retro-fit. It's not rocket science, just sewing... "...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
