• So what exactly is a “rigger” and why do you need one?

Webster defines “rigger” as “a person who packs parachutes.” In the skydiving world, the term rigger is short for a Federal Aviation Administration Certified Master or Senior Parachute Rigger. The FAA regulates the United States parachuting industry.

Federal Aviation Regulations require reserve parachutes on skydiving rigs, as well as all pilot emergency parachutes, be inspected and repacked every 120 days or after use. FAA parachute riggers are certified to inspect, repair and repack reserve canopies and harness/containers.

The FAA requirements and privileges of a parachute rigger are detailed in FAR Part 65. During the inspection process, it is the responsibility of the rigger to ensure the parachute and harness/container complies with all airworthiness directives and service bulletins. Manufacturer inspection, testing and packing requirements must be followed every step of the way.

Riggers are also called on for a variety of skydiving gear manufacturing, modification and repair. In addition to parachutes and containers, the items riggers work on include jumpsuits, risers, steering toggles, links, lines, deployment bags, pilot chutes, helmets, altimeters, goggles, etc. We can manufacture, modify or repair just about anything associated with the skydiving and parachuting industry.

In addition to FAA and manufacturer requirements, ChutingStar riggers follow a set of loft standards developed through years of field experience and the latest industry standards.

• What are the Loft Standards that Chuting Star follow?

Reserve Canopies
All sport reserve canopies with metal links must have either fabric, vinyl or silicone slider bumpers. If bumpers are not present, a set will be installed. Bumpers ensure the metal links are centered on the risers and the lines centered on the links during reserve deployment. Bumpers on metal links eliminate the possibility of lines wrapping around link barrels or the barrels getting caught on a riser. The bumpers further prevent costly damage to slider grommets on a terminal deployment. Bumpers are not necessary with soft links.

Performance Designs reserve canopies must have an annual 30-pound fabric strength test, per manufacturer requirements. Unknown stains on all reserves will be subject to a fabric strength test. Reserves without a strength test requirement will be tested with manufacturer approval. All testing is conducted per PIA TS-108.

AADs
Cypres I batteries must be under 2 years old through the repack cycle. All Cypres units must have the required 4-year and 8-year service completed. Cypres units are no longer airworthy 12 years from the date of manufacture.

Vigil batteries must be replaced every 4 years or if the unit indicates “Bat Low” or “Bat Rpl.” The Vigil II battery must be replaced every 10 years. The Vigil and Vigil II have a 20-year lifetime and do not have any service requirements.

Argus AAD requires new batteries every year or when the unit indicates “Bat Low,” whichever comes first. A functional test of the Argus is required every 4 years and can be completed at ChutingStar. The Argus does not have a set lifetime, but must pass each 4-year functional service to remain airworthy.

FXC Astra units must have a functional test at each repack and must have all applicable software updates. The ASTRA battery must be replaced when the light is solid or the unit doesn’t turn on.

Main Canopies
Attached main canopies will be removed for reserve inspection and repack. Packed main canopies will be reattached and may be opened following reserve inspection and repack to check line continuity. Unpacked main canopies will be repacked unless otherwise requested. Main repack by rigger includes line check, untwisting of steering lines, rubber band replacement (if necessary) and general inspection while packing.

Gear Life Span
We highly recommend retiring gear at 20-25 years from the original date of manufacture, or sooner, due to excessive wear. This loft will not service gear more than 30 years old.