masterrigger1

Negative! It becomes the riggers responsibilty to note any defects found. In this case, unairworthy, even if it is not packed. Also the conditions of the specific TSO will spell out damage, wear, and service conditions. All of the manufacturers do this as far as I know.. I just got one back from PD. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Andy, I would suggest that you take the canopy out of service. You do that by wtiting "unairworthy-Do Not Jump" on the label. This will not allow any other rigger to pack it. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Crossfire II Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

As I stated above I did make a reply. I am not in the shop right now. That stuff in on one of the computers there. I will reply in-depth later....Probably start another thread with it. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

It seems that you are the only one that has that issue. I would have to say that I have educated myself over the years with the MANY discussions with Legal. If a rule has no preamble or definition then a AC can provide some clarity. If a rule has a complete preamble with the rule's complete intent, such as this one, this is no need for an AC. The AC that you are quoting predates this rule. That's the trump. *** If you are calling the the FAA, God, then yes I do! I do not think there is anything to figure out. The rule, not an AC or any other document prety much sums it up. Also,I have contacted Washington about putting "appropriate" in sentence 2 for you. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, Real quick as It is Saturday AM and I am actually headed out the door..or was! The definition of an alteration is a change from the original manufactured design or configuration. The definition of an approved alteration is changes to the orginal FAA approved configuration. The rule and it's intent, trump AC's anyway, so it is a moot point. *** A new version of AC-105 is supposedly in the final stages of review before publication. It will be very interesting to see if the new version clarifies or further confuses these issues. Quote I hope to get my hands on the newest version this coming week. I do know that there is language that is going to kick it out of Legal for a couple of reasons. One is this new clarification and fix. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, I hear what you are saying on this now, Yes, I agree that "appropriate" probably should be written in there. But then again it has already identified the "appropriate" rigger in the sentence beforehand and I think is just not being redundant. The good part is that we do have the ruling in hand.This is exactly what is used when the rule as written, is not understood. Your question is a good example, It also helps making the part about privileges a little clearer in it's intent. § 65.125 Certificates: Privileges. (a) A certificated senior parachute rigger may— (1) Pack or maintain (except for major repair) any type of parachute for which he is rated; and (2) Supervise other persons in packing any type of parachute for which that person is rated in accordance with §105.43(a) or §105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (b) A certificated master parachute rigger may— (1) Pack, maintain, or alter any type of parachute for which he is rated; and (2) Supervise other persons in packing, maintaining, or altering any type of parachute for which the certificated parachute rigger is rated in accordance with §105.43(a) or §105.45(b)(1) of this chapter. (c) A certificated parachute rigger need not comply with §§65.127 through 65.133 (relating to facilities, equipment, performance standards, records, recent experience, and seal) in packing, maintaining, or altering (if authorized) the main parachute of a dual parachute pack to be used for intentional jumping. [Doc. No. 1179, 27 FR 7973, Aug. 10, 1962, as amended by Amdt. 65–20, 37 FR 13252, July 6, 1972; Amdt. 65–42, 66 FR 23553, May 9, 2001] BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, There is no type rating for main parachutes. The type rating is only for the certificated parachute. Therefore, the appropriate rigger statement is in reference to the type work being performed and the type of certificate needed to do the work. I hope that clears things up for you. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, Thanks for the input. Here's were it started 7 years ago: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=779188;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25; Yes, it took that long! Light maintenance is allowed such a minor assembly. I will post that info later. Right now I am going to bed so that I can go to the boogie tomorrow! Blue ones, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Depends on who's perspective! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

JP, Think of it the terms of a pilot's certificate. Also the amount of hard work that I know you have put into it to get that privilege. Add in a sceniro like what happened with 65.111..... Not to mention the fact that a rigger's ticket is not that hard to get anyway. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

absolutely! What's confusing it the part about the silky smooth ones and then the teeth rattlers. My thoughts exactly! It has to be that the stows are coming loose to allow the lines to play out, but probably out of sequence. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Andy, Hint- Get your Master's ticket and cash In!! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Same here! Sorry you have that outlook. I only asked for definition of the rule that was already in place. Period. In 2001, the rule had the word alter added to it to allow Tandem masters to deviate from the packing instructions..."alter". People used that word in their best interest and did work that did not meet the rule. The word "alter" was a mistake in the first place. It even says so it in the document. So how is it me, helping clear up a mistake that I never made, an issue or problem with you or anyone else? I will tell you. It takles a way a "thought to be" privilage that I have earned and you (as I am aware) still have yet to do. Nothing personal though. You are just the first to complain. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Paul, We have that covered with the ruling in hand. The ruling is basically part of the, if not THE pre-amble for that rule. This document was written so that the rules would be clear to all, even if people try to pick little "what-ifs" at it. Direct supervision is allowed BTW! Basically, the document that was sent out is the definition of the rule and is to be held up accordingly. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

The FAA in Washington has finally sent me a revised rule that clarifies the fact that you have to be an appropriately rated rigger to do work on Main canopies. Yes, appropriately rated means the by the type of work being done. Minor=Senior rigger Major and alterations=Master rigger It only took about 5 years FCOL. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ian, Poorly maintained rubber Bands will not last as long as poorly maintained Tube Stows. In other words they tend to grow more since they usually stay on the bag longer, i.e. m ore time in service. The statement is based on kernel knowlege and the use of a fish scale along with the old tube stows in use or question. It really is that simple! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

John, While I tend to try to stay out of these type of discussions, I must make a couple of points here. EVERY DZ out there at sometime or another will violate a FAA rule blantley because: 1.The packers are not supervised as required by law. This is at about every DZ out there. 2. The 100 hour.."we just did not have the time..." 3. Fuel..."I believe we have enough to make it..."" You actually need 30 minutes more fuel to be legal than it takes for the planned flight in day VFR. 4. Dropping jumpers through clouds and thunder storms. This just happened last Friday with hail damage to the jumpers as in bleeding in exposed areas. ...Talk about safety violations... 5. Student equipment maintenance..well we do not have enough time FCOL. The bottom line is TK did what about every DZO out does or would have done. Yes there are a few exceptions. And yes, he should not have done what he did, but if you want to hang him, you might want to round up the others also! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Ian, Sorry that you feel that way. But the matter of fact is : 1. He has a bag that is too big which adds to the sum of it all. 2. He is using tube stows. 3. The tube stows are probably stretched to begin with. 4. Round tube stows WILL NOT grip the lines as well as a flat rubber band. We all know this as fact. 5. I have "fixed" alot of peoples hard openings by simply pointing them to rubber bands. 6. John Leblanc has a spill about this also somewhere on the PD's website. This is something we both agree on! 7. Let the guy try the rubber bands and come back here with a report before you make any conclusions yourself. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

JP, What tandem canopy are you jumping? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Vectran and Technora both show wear. Vectran just has a better visual showing of it. If you look closely at the Technora, you can see the wear at certain points up and down the line. Technora has a higher tensile strength when measured against Vectran of the same diameter. Both lines will elongate to some degree, but it is very minute. Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Now there is part, if not all of the problem. Tube stows! Use the small rubber bands and the issue should go away. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Is this a brand new, recently manufactured canopy? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

If you have a Crossfire II and it is "whacking" you, you need to send it back to the factory. I have only had 1-2 Crossfires come through the shop that were hard openers. And that is in an 11-12 year time frame. You should be able to pack that canopy just about anyway and get good openings. Two questions though; What is the size and condition of your pilot chute? Are you using a standard main D-bag? Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Actually, the 21-22 inch risers are the standard. That standard is used when developing line trim dimensions. Usually the 18" inch risers are used by people with shorter arm lengths. The standard used to be 24" on the old military type rigs. and in the late 80's, the standard type VIII risers were 24-25 inches in overall length. BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com