masterrigger1

JP, If you change the original configuration, it would be an alteration. Any rig. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

You should understand it really soon. The Office of Enforcement and Compliance called me the last two days regarding the above.They are the ones that give out interpertations. Hopefully, there will be a written resolution to it all very soon! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

*** I have no idea why we are wasting so much time on this thread drift. *** Me either, other than the fact it is educational to some.

TB, 65.111 covers packing, maintaining and who may alter a main parachute. Let's cover each seperately. Packing- I think we all agree as to what , how, and why it reads the way it does. Maintain - light maintenance applies here. Inspection for rips, tears, cleaning,etc. General upkeep alot like a car or airplane. Note : airplane owners are allowed to do things like change oil, grease wheel bearings, and general light maintenance. You get the picture! Alter- This is referenced and defined in the Inspector's handbook as a change in the way a parachute is packed. Not in a modification sense. I posted that info a few post back. As far as a small patch that would not affect airwothiness; I believe the owner could do that. I have not looked at that though. Relines--No - AC - 105 - 2C spells that out for you. It even gives an example of such. It is considered a major repair. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

As the old saying goes, " you can build it(main parachute), but you can not work on it!" MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Only if you are doing it in the USA. Since you are a foreigner in Thailand, no would probably be the answer! Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, Any Master Rigger can gain approval though their local FSDO. It will have to go though the written process of approval though them. The guide lines that I posted in the RSL thread are in the form of a PDF file. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, The comment about main parachutes not being regulated cannnot be true because: 1. 65.111 TELLS you who can pack it before the next jump. No one that I know disputes that. So, therefore it is regulated. 2. To further say main parachutes are regulated, there is also a regulation stating that the main has to be packed within 120 days, just like a reserve. § 105.43 Use of single-harness, dual-parachute systems. No person may conduct a parachute operation using a single-harness, dual-parachute system, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow any person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft using a single-harness, dual-parachute system, unless that system has at least one main parachute, one approved reserve parachute, and one approved single person harness and container that are packed as follows: (a) The main parachute must have been packed within 120 days before the date of its use of a certificated parachute rigger, the person making the next jump with that parachute, or a non-certificated person under the direct supervision of a certification parachute rigger. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

JP, The definition of an alteration to a parachute or parachute system, as defined by the FAA, is a change from the original configuration from which it was manufactured. see below... B. Any change to the configuration, method of operation, or method of packing the main parachute, up to and including the main canopy attachment links or the male end of the quick release fittings, is a main pack alteration. Any main parachute alteration that affects the strength or operation of the auxiliary parachute, including the harness, must be regarded as an alteration of the auxiliary parachute and handled accordingly. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Hans, That Technora on your canopy was the first ever produced by CSR(Line manufacturer). That line was projected to last less than 200 jumps when we installed them. Dave Hebert's canopy has the same material on it, You might want to remind him about it! BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, You did not get it! Think about it awhile. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, I can just about tell you who the people that were at the meeting. Let me blow a hole right through the "a main is unregulated" theory. 65.111 says who can pack a main, that's regulation! One could also assume, that if regualtion is needed for packing, one would be for something like modifications and alterations. Just a thought! Love and kisses! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Justin, You are correct. Sewing a canopy patch is part of a practical exam for Senior Riggers. Replacing line sets is not. That (Major repairs) was what I was refering to! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Sparky, Re-read my earlier post above! I explained it there. I do now. The clarification will be for the ones that presently do not abide by the rules. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Not unless you and I both receive written summary letters from Don! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

I do not test for it in the praticals that I give, nor do I know anyone that tests senior rigger applicants with a Master rigger enviroment. What qualifications do you have to call what I have posted bogus? I have posted facts regarding rigging, no more -no less. I agree that there are Master AND Senior riggers out there that have a lot to be desired in their rigging work. That is another topic for discussion. The manufacturers thing is covered under the FAR's. So be it. Most of those people do one thing and one thing only; sew! That work is hopefully inspected by the manufacturer. Firstly, I do not have a Vendetta. I do have problems with people understanding the FAR's long enough to test for their Senior certificate and upon receiving it, totally forgetting the FAR's and doing whatever they please. The other problem is I have applicants that come in and say"I thought I could do that! I read on DZ.com that I could." I then have to explain the differences! I believe that informing the applicant correctly is a betterment of rigging. I know of only one, that is in Colorado. In fact, there is a group in OK City working to clarify 65.111. FYI - 65.111 is written to clarify packing only as I found out Friday. This is the pack, maintain, and alter thing that Derek believes in. The "pack is self evident,"maintaining" is like cleaning and inspecting, and "altering" is like changes to the pack job(flat pack to PRO pack) Cheers, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

They had problems with the hook and bobbin case opener. I would stay away from it! If going with a Pfaff, try a 238(zig-Zag and Straight stitch) or a 463 (straight stitch only). you should spend $500.00 or less if you shop around. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

No, just making a valid point! What is your problem with that? MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Airtwardo, First the alteration thing. No matter what Derek says, he has a regional ruling by a very non-caring inspector out there in Colorado! That issue is still pending in his region. To expand upon that, if work performed by himself shows up, let's say in my region where the ruling is opposite of his, that work would be considered a violation.( we are talking main parachutes here) Regardless, alterations and/or modifications to a certifcated H/C, shall only be done by a Master Rigger with authorization by the manufacturer or the FAA. I never really thought about it, but removing the RSL is considered an alteration. Think about this, if installing one is an alteration, so would be removing one! To clarify, please read the attachment and also pay close attention to paragragh 13. http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/examiners_inspectors/8300/volume3/media/3_136_00.pdf BS, MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Terry, I vote for it. As far as a rigger only forum, I think it is a great idea! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Kallend, That's got to be wild!! Oh by the way, we did the air show thing, I used smoke systems designed and built by Don Harris in CA to help please the crowd. Does anyone know if he is still around out there??? I think he lived in Irvine, CA. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Chuck, I did not know that you flew R/C, along with the rest of you guys. A little history, I used to perform with my R/C models at full scale airshows before I stated Skydiving. You need to come down and fly my new Extra 330L (38%).With the BME it is a great 3D performer. Or depending on your skill, I can let you fly my .60 Stik that has a Veco .61 Clarence Lee Custom engine. The engine is about 36-38 years old and the Stik was built about 1986. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

A cheaper method is to remove the stitches at the extreme end and push the leg strap back an inch or two allowing the leg pad to "bunch up"and re-install the stitch. That is if you only need an inch or two! MEL Skyworks Parachute Service "The Icarus Service Center" Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Marc, Herbert Jaffe does a good job on the Pfaff 3334's and Jado does both the Singer 269 and the Pfaff 3334's well.Both are in NY. You are right they are not cheap! It probably is cheaper by some standards to buy a used Brother or Juki programable bartacker with serveral patterns already installed on it. I just received another Juki 1900 HS with some larger patterns on it. The price is now a lot more reasonable than even four years ago when I got my first one. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service "The Icarus Service Center" Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

Mick, Just to firm up and add to your post. The gears will need to be changed also if changing the stitch number. This applies to all manual bartackers, not just the Singer 269. MEL Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com