FAA Parachute Rigger flashcards
FAA Parachute Rigger · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Part 65 rigger certificate
- FAA parachute rigger certification is issued under 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart F, and requires practical experience, a knowledge test, and a practical test for the rating sought.
- Senior rigger privileges
- A senior rigger may pack, maintain, and perform minor repairs on parachutes, but may not construct or alter a parachute from an approved design.
- Master rigger privileges
- A master rigger may construct and alter parachutes from approved designs in addition to the packing and maintenance privileges of a senior rigger.
- Packing record contents
- The packing record must include the date of packing, the rigger's name and certificate number, and the type and model of the parachute packed.
- Rigger currency requirement
- A rigger certificate is valid for 24 months; the holder must have packed or maintained at least one parachute within the preceding 24 months to remain current.
- Nylon 6.6 canopy fabric
- Nylon 6.6 is the standard canopy and container fabric because of its strength, elasticity, and resistance to mildew and abrasion.
- Ripstop nylon function
- Ripstop nylon uses a grid of heavier threads that arrests tear propagation, so a small nick will not run beyond the reinforcing grid.
- Spectra and Vectran lines
- Spectra and Vectran suspension lines have high strength-to-weight ratios and low elongation, and must be inspected for creep and wear.
- Tubular nylon webbing
- Tubular nylon webbing, specified by MIL-W-4088, is used for harnesses and risers and is rated by strength in pounds matched to design load.
- Three-ring release order
- The three-ring release is assembled with the small ring through the medium ring, the medium ring through the large ring, and the cable through the small ring loop.
- Lock stitch standard
- The lock stitch is the standard parachute stitch; it must be locked at both ends and the thread tension adjusted so the seam does not pucker the fabric.
- Stitch density specification
- Parachute seams typically use 7 to 9 stitches per inch, with the seam allowance and thread type following the manufacturer's or MIL-spec drawing.
- Bar tack purpose
- Bar tacking reinforces stress points such as line attachment points and riser junctions, distributing load and strengthening the fabric.
- Thread compatibility rule
- Thread must be compatible with the fabric; nylon thread is used for nylon fabric and the thread size must match the seam specification, typically size E or FF.
- Test seam before sewing
- The sewing machine must be tested on a sample of the same fabric and thread before sewing the parachute, and the test seam inspected for stitch quality.
- Reserve packing interval
- The reserve parachute must be packed by a certificated rigger within the preceding 180 days for operations requiring an airworthiness certificate.
- Packing data card
- The packing data card must be attached to the parachute and show the packing date, the rigger's name and certificate number, and the parachute type and model.
- Pre-packing inspection items
- Before packing, the rigger inspects the canopy for holes, tears, and seam damage, the lines for broken or worn threads, and the hardware for cracks or corrosion.
- AAD inspection schedule
- The automatic activation device must be inspected and maintained per its schedule, and it is not a substitute for a properly packed reserve.
- Harness adjustment check
- The harness must be adjusted to the wearer so the leg straps, chest strap, and shoulder straps are snug and the hardware is properly routed.
- RSL routing requirement
- The reserve static line must be connected to the harness and reserve ripcord and routed so it does not interfere with main deployment.
- Riser connector link check
- The risers attach to the harness with the correct connector links, which must be tightened and the excess thread trimmed and stowed.
- Line order verification
- The main canopy must be assembled to the risers with the lines in the correct order, because a crossed or misrouted line will cause a malfunction.
- Container sizing rule
- The container must be assembled with the correct size and type of canopy, because a container that is too small or too large will affect deployment.
- Minor repair authority
- A senior rigger may perform minor repairs such as patching small holes and replacing line attachments, while major repairs and alterations require a master rigger.
- Patch overlap requirement
- A patch must be made with the same or approved material and must overlap the damaged area by at least the amount specified by the manufacturer.
- Line replacement rule
- A line replacement must use the same type and strength of line, and the line length must be measured and matched to the opposite line to maintain trim.
- Alteration approval
- An alteration to a parachute must be approved by the manufacturer or the FAA, because an unapproved alteration may render the parachute unairworthy.
- Total malfunction response
- A total malfunction with no canopy requires immediate reserve deployment; the reserve ripcord must be pulled firmly and the canopy checked after deployment.
- Cutaway sequence
- The cutaway procedure is to pull the cutaway handle and then the reserve ripcord, deploying the reserve before the decision altitude.
- Wing loading definition
- Wing loading is the total suspended weight divided by the canopy area; a higher wing loading increases descent rate and forward speed.
- Density altitude effect
- Higher density altitude reduces canopy performance, so performance calculations must account for pressure altitude and temperature.